For years, the mention of Rome or Florence has been heard in the context of travelling to Italy. While these cities are a great way to assimilate the convergence of history with modern life, the most iconic place sprinkled with nature, adventure and lifestyle in Italy, is Cinque Terre, in my opinion. 'Cinque' means five and 'Terre' means lands. 'Cinque Terre' or the five lands once represented five quaint fishing villages on the cliffs of Italian Rivera - Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. Today, over years, they have transformed into five buzzing yet quaint go to places for the Europeans to enjoy adventure treks, amazing seafood and lifestyle experiences. The good thing is, it is still not as easily accessible as Nice (France) or Amalfi Coast (Italy) is, and hence the natural isolation often adds to the mystery and beauty of this place.
How to Get to Cinque Terre?
The best way to get to Cinque Terre is by train. One can change the train at Genoa or Pisa. Genoa and Pisa are the closest airports also.
The five villages along the eastern side of the Italian Rivera are nicely connected by the railway. This is the best way to move amongst the villages once you are there. Tickets can be bought online or even at the automated ticket dispensers at the stations. Waiting at the stations for not very frequent trains won't be a problem, for the sheer beauty of the train stations on top of the cliff overlooking the sea.
What to do at Cinque Terre?
I can just end this section mentioning - "Don't do anything, and just relax", and yet I would not do injustice to the spirit of this place. If you spend your days roaming freely in trains, spend time in the water, gorge on scrumptious seafood, and do romantic dinners at night - you will still remember this place for years to come. But this place offers so much more that knowing about them might surprise you.
1. Hike up in the Path of Love
Cinque Terre has a number of amazing (and slightly steep) hiking trails. The paths are marked, and they can take from a few hours to an entire day. The easiest one is the 'Blue' path, with a hiking fee to start with. This hiking trail between Riomaggiore and Manarola, popularly known as 'The path of love' is easily accessible to most people.
2. Do Not Miss Drinking Sciacchetrà
Italy is known for the best quality of wine across the world. But this part of the country is known for a sweet dessert wine, known as Sciacchetrà. This is to be enjoyed with cheese, or with dessert at the end of a meal. Created form Bosco grapes, this wine looks amber in colour and is sweet in taste.
3. Explore Guvano Beach
All the villages are on the cliff overlooking the sea. But these places do not really have well laid out beaches to enjoy. If you are a beach lover, and want to enjoy the umbrella and sand of a proper beach, head to Guvano beach. This beach is situated between Vernazza and Corniglia, and needs you to walk for almost an hour on an unmarked path including a few minutes through a dark tunnel. You then need to descend for almost 100+ stairs (and ascend while coming back). This beach is one of Europe's clothing-optional beach, and one is supposed to be respectful and not take photos of others.
When to visit Cinque Terre?
One can visit cinque Terre between April and October. But this place gets over-priced and really crowded in July and August. The shoulder seasons in April and October are the best time to visit, in my opinion.
Accommodation is overpriced here. But both airbnb and Booking.com have numerous options. If you spend some time in researching on these platforms, getting a place that balances reviews with price is totally possible. Stay in one of the colourful on-the-cliff houses that define this place. Book well in advance.
Have you ever heard of Cinque Terre?
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