Cascading charm of Cinque Terre
ITALY
9th September 2014
Cinque Terre consists of five small villages along the Italian Riveria - Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore, known collectively as '5 Terre' (5 Lands). Each village has the same atmosphere of tranquil surrounds, with amazing unspoilt areas. Yet each neighbourhood has it's own charm and magnetic allure. From the sea, the landscape of each passing village looks like mountainous greenery, purposely flaked in specific areas ,with an assortment of scrumptious coloured candy, cascading towards the sea and ceasing just before the surface of the ocean waters – pure ecstasy for the eyes. Cinque Terre is a magnificent corner of Italy.
Depending on your plans, Cinque Terre can be a place from one extremity to the other - it can be a place for complete unwinding and relaxation or it can be a thigh burning boot camp, that may leave you hankering for more or slumped somewhere, after the completion of a leg-work demanding hike.
Getting from one village to the next is easy and can be done in any three ways - by train, boat or foot. The train rides are quick and air-conditioned for comfort during the summer heat. Shooting through tunnels straight through the hills, from one town to the next. The boat rides take longer, but you have the impressive views of the villages from sea and a close up as they come to the port for pick-up and drop-offs.
By foot, it takes about 1.5 hours to hike between villages (give or take depending on your fitness level and the route). The reward at the end of the trail is the breathtaking views from the hilltop as you descend - out to sea and down at the villages as you approach. The view from Monterosso al Mare into Vernazza is especially a treat, especially after the long hike.
There is a small fee to pay to hike the trails, that goes towards maintaining and keeping the trails safe for hikers. Pay the price and take a hike for the scenery - it's worth it. Make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes and have plenty of water for those hot days. Otherwise an early morning hike is best during the summer months, as it can feel like a nicely air-conditioned room, but out in the openness amongst the trees.
Monterosso al Mare is the largest and busiest village of the five, with the longest stretch of sandy beach, decked with lounge chairs and umbrellas for comfort under the sun. Compared to the others, this town certainly has plenty of restaurants along the seaside, as well as within the town itself. Here you won't be limited by choice to dine, as there are many restaurants to choose from. Also along the seaside in Monterosso al Mare, there is a small stretch that is occupied by a market that selling arts, crafts and souvenirs, for a nice little browse of handmade local goods.
Corniglia is one of the smaller and quieter villages, with the best spot being down at the Marina. Once in the town follow the 'Marina' signs down slopes and stairs, where you'll meet a gorgeously small secluded cove, perfect for a swim after a long hike. So bring your bathing suit or wear it under your clothes for a quick strip and entrance into the cooling waters. If you're arriving to Corniglia by train, be prepared to walk up over 350 steps to the tops of the hillside as the village sits about 100 metres above the sea.
With a landscape appearance that's hard to tear your eyes away from, Riomaggiore is the most charming and attractive of the five villages - picture postcard perfect! A town fair in size and similar scale wise to Vernazza, Riomaggiore has a number of restaurants, cafes and shops down the main street (via Colombo) to choose from. There is also a cove in Riomaggiore, slightly larger than the one at Corniglia, just pass the boating docks (where you would catch the boat to the next village). This cove is busier with sunbathers on the shore, but still beautiful all the same.
If you're after a holiday for the attractions, museums and busy nightlife, Cinque Terre is definitely not it. On the other hand, if you're looking to get away from the concrete cities and bustling life, for a stress free unravelling weekend, Cinque Terre would be right on spot for fulfilling that desire. With earthly coloured rainbow avalanches of architecture, amongst natures greens and the clear blue waters, along the shoreline, Cinque Terre is a little piece of placid paradise Italian style - bellissimo!
