Cinque Terre - Italy - 2015

Cinque Terre is a beautiful coastal region in northwestern Italy, located along the Ligurian Sea. Its name means “Five Lands,” referring to the five historic villages of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. Each village is known for its colorful houses, narrow streets, small harbors, and dramatic views of the sea. The area is famous for its steep terraced vineyards, where local farmers have grown grapes, olives, and lemons for centuries. Cinque Terre is also well known for its hiking trails, which connect the villages through vineyards, forests, and coastal cliffs. The views along these trails are among the most scenic in Italy. Visitors can travel between the villages by train, boat, or on foot. Cars are restricted in many areas, helping preserve the historic character of the towns. Cinque Terre is particularly popular for fresh seafood, pesto, local white wine, and relaxed seaside dining. We visited Cinque Terre for two days in July 2015. On both days, we parked in La Spezia and took the train to explore the villages. We hiked from Monterosso al Mare to Vernazza, which was one of the highlights of the trip and an experience I really loved. We also rented a small paddle boat and spent a few hours swimming. We enjoyed great lunches and wandered through the narrow alleys of the villages. Cinque Terre is a place I would love to return to and explore in more depth. It was quite hot, especially during the hike, so visiting in the fall or early spring may be more comfortable. Unfortunately, someone pickpocketed me at the train station, which put a damper on the trip. I lost my wallet, so visitors should remain careful and keep their belongings secure.