Cinque Terre
If you ever feel like giving up, skip the therapist and head straight to Cinque Terre. Here, five bizarrely designed fishing communities located amidst some of the world’s most breathtaking coastline landscapes should be enough to lift even the most pessimistic moods. Cinque Terre, a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1997, isn’t the undiscovered paradise it once was, but who cares? While a 19th-century railway line cut through a series of coastal tunnels carries the less courageous from village to hamlet, sinuous pathways tempt the antisocial to scale seemingly insurmountable cliffsides. Thankfully, cars—those most pervasive modern obstructions—were outlawed more than ten years ago.
Key points
The five settlements that make up Cinque Terre have roots in antiquity that go back to the early Middle Ages. The earliest, Monterosso, was established in AD 643, when besieged hill inhabitants moved to the shore to flee invading barbarians. Then followed Riomaggiore, which was allegedly founded in the eighth century by Greek settlers running from persecution in Byzantium. Vernazza, Corniglia, and Manarola are the other three. Many of the structures still standing in the communities today, such as several castles and a group of notable parish churches, are remnants of the late High Middle Ages.
Apart from the structures, the steeply terraced cliffs of Cinque Terre are its most distinctive historical feature. These cliffs are divided by an intricate network of fields and gardens that have been cut, chiselled, moulded, and layered over the course of over two millennia. Some academics have compared the enormous muretti (low stone walls) to the Great Wall of China in terms of their grandeur and scope because their artificial features are so obvious.
In Vernazza and Monterosso in October 2011, flash floods along the Ligurian coast wreaked havoc, burying historic streets and homes under metres of muck and claiming half a dozen lives. The majority of businesses resumed operations in 2013, but before you go, make sure the Sentiero Azzurro (blue walking trail) is still in operation.
Enjoy a full-day excursion to the stunning Cinque Terre (the Five Lands), a rocky stretch of the Italian Riviera dotted by charming little fishing towns. Stop in Corniglia, the first of the five Cinque Terre villages, after travelling through Tuscany to reach Liguria. Take breathtaking photos of the land and coast while taking in the panoramic vistas.
Stop at a neighbourhood tavern for a glass of wine and some bruschetta after exploring the charming village.
Vernazza
Your next stop is Vernazza, which has a big open port, a castle, and a church and is undoubtedly the most picturesque of the five settlements. Take advantage of the free time to explore the area, enjoy a leisurely lunch (on your own) at one of the outdoor eateries that line the shore, or wander through the side streets for breathtaking views of the coastline. After visiting Vernazza, meet your tour guide at the designated location and time to board a shared boat for Riomaggiore.
Admire the dramatic coastline from the boat as it is framed by the hills. The buildings in Riomaggiore, the southernmost settlement of the Cinque Terre, are constructed along the cliff. Take a stroll around the village with your tour guide before continuing on to charming Manarola. One of the oldest Cinque Terre settlements is Manarola.
Discover the charming pastel squares and little alleyways that best capture the area’s beauty, and perhaps try some renowned regional wine at a welcoming wine bar (own expense). Leave the Cinque Terre after seeing Manarola and go back to Florence, where you’ll arrive in the early evening.
