Cinque Terre Trip
Cinque Terre is part of the Liguria region on the west coast of Italy, a harsh and gorgeous part of the Riviera. Cinque Terre literally means “The Five Lands”, comprising the villages of Vernazza, Corniglia, Riomaggiore, Manarola and Monterosso al Mare. The area is a more unusual destination choice than some better known spots in Italy and all the more enjoyable for that.
There is not a lot of modern development; instead, the charm is in the centuries-old townships and the terraces stretching and rolling down the hillside. At the bottom of the steep hills, the azure sea shines and sparkles — the landscape is the main attraction of a Cinque Terre vacation.
The topography necessitates in a most “Italian style” transport system, comprising boats, trains and well-worn paths, with cars mainly excluded from its boundaries. There are several transport options for access to the region. There is a train from La Spezia to Genoa, and also passenger ferries from Lerici, Portovenere, Genoa’s Old Harbour and La Spezia.
The five villages of Cinque Terre are joined by a long walking trail of varying severity. Manarola to Corniglia is the easiest portion, with Vernazza to Monterosso being the most demanding, while the other portions provide an interesting mix of easy and difficult terrains including olive groves, vineyards and open fields for your to enjoy during your Cinque Terre vacation. In general, the more varying and demanding the trail the greater the rewards in terms of astounding views.
There’s a wide variety of food and drink to be tried on your Cinque Terre vacation. As well as the mix of modern and traditional fare, you can drink wine with the maker at several local vineyards. Other things to do include swimming, hiking and cooking classes, while the views — of course — are stunning. Accommodation ranges from Bed and Breakfasts to villa and apartment accommodation.
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