David O'Brien, about.com's guide to St. Louis, vacationed in Cinque Terre a couple years ago. David says

I still tell anyone that will listen that it's my favorite place on earth. We loved Mario's wine bar in Corniglia. And the whole town's like a little treasure on top a big hill...which makes even the simplest finds there all the more exciting.

We actually stayed in Lerici and enjoyed spending a lot of evenings in its crescent-shaped piazza with its wave tiles. We stayed at the Hotel Florida, which I thought was very nice and a great value (we had a stylish and very clean room, plus a nice balcony overlooking the beach for about $100/night). Next time, I'd book sooner and find a rental apartment in one of the 5 towns (Corniglia if I thought I could handle the hikes). The prices were hard to beat, and I love lodging that gives you a sense of being a local.

Corniglia is the smallest of the Cinque Terre villages and the only one not accessible by boat - it's perched on a cliff above the sea. Because of its more isolated position, Corniglia sees fewer tourists than the seaside villages. There are no hotels in Corniglia but there are rooms and apartments for rent. The village is accessible by local train and has a few restaurants, bars, and food shops.

Lerici is south of the Cinque Terre and is the largest village on the scenic Gulf of Poets. Lerici has good seafood restaurants, a castle, and beaches. In summer, ferries run between Lerici and Cinque Terre.

Related Italy Travel: Le Cinque Terre Guide | Cinque Terre Climate | A Casa Rooms and Apartments, recommended by friends
Lerici and the Gulf of Poets | Hotel Florida in Lerici (book direct)

_{View of Corniglia from the trail © James Martin, Europe Travel}