After an enjoyable time in London, we flew to Rome and then took the train to Cinque Terre.
Cinque Terre is located in the Liguria region, one of Italy's twenty regions. It is situated to the northwest of the peninsula on the Ligurian Sea. Liguria's capital and most important city is Genoa. It is to the east of Genoa (and north of Tuscany and Florence) along the jagged coast that we find Cinque Terre. Cinque Terre was built over a thousand years by peasant farmers who transformed the steep cliffs into fertile terraces to grow excellent agricultural produce.
Cinque Terre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is made up of five towns of medieval origin - Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. All of the five towns are spread along the coast and are unique in one way or another. The five towns are connected by train, boat and walking trails (some along the ocean cliffs). As some of the walking trails were closed, we travelled between the towns by train and also by boat. We spent two days in Cinque Terre and stayed in Riomaggiore.
It is truly one of the most picturesque and beautiful parts of the world, and we had an amazing time exploring the five towns.
Riomaggiore
The town of Riomaggiore is situated between two steep terraced hills descending to the sea. Riomaggiore's name is derived from the stream that flows through the valley, the Rivus Maior, which today flows under the main street. Riomaggiore is known for its coloured houses that are build vertically. It has a beautiful marina that is lined with restaurants and coffee shops.
A castle that was built in 1260 overlooks the town (we got some amazing panoramic views from here) and the the town has its own church named after St. John the Baptist.
The town of Riomaggiore is situated between two steep terraced hills descending to the sea. Riomaggiore's name is derived from the stream that flows through the valley, the Rivus Maior, which today flows under the main street. Riomaggiore is known for its coloured houses that are build vertically. It has a beautiful marina that is lined with restaurants and coffee shops.
A castle that was built in 1260 overlooks the town (we got some amazing panoramic views from here) and the the town has its own church named after St. John the Baptist.
Manarola
Manarola is said to be similar in layout to Riomaggiore. It was built on the banks of a stream, the Rio Groppo, which still flows under the main streets. The town's most important church is San Lorenzo and it overlooks the houses and marina.
Manarola is said to be similar in layout to Riomaggiore. It was built on the banks of a stream, the Rio Groppo, which still flows under the main streets. The town's most important church is San Lorenzo and it overlooks the houses and marina.
Corniglia
The town of Corniglia is perched on a picturesque cliff a hundred feet high. It is the only village that has no direct access to the sea. Visitors can either walk up to the town or take a shuttle bus. We opted to take the bus and then we explored the town by foot. The main church in this town is San Pietro and perched in the middle of the town is the bell tower of San Bernardino, which is hard to miss. Corniglia has some of the most beautiful streets and shops of all the villages.
From the view points in the town we were able to see the farmers' gardens with vineyards and citrus trees.
We stopped here for lunch at a restaurant overlooking the town and ocean, and we enjoyed pesto gnocchi and pesto with spaghetti. Pesto (a green sauce made with Basil leaves, olive oil, salt cheese and garlic) is very typical of Liguria.
The town of Corniglia is perched on a picturesque cliff a hundred feet high. It is the only village that has no direct access to the sea. Visitors can either walk up to the town or take a shuttle bus. We opted to take the bus and then we explored the town by foot. The main church in this town is San Pietro and perched in the middle of the town is the bell tower of San Bernardino, which is hard to miss. Corniglia has some of the most beautiful streets and shops of all the villages.
From the view points in the town we were able to see the farmers' gardens with vineyards and citrus trees.
We stopped here for lunch at a restaurant overlooking the town and ocean, and we enjoyed pesto gnocchi and pesto with spaghetti. Pesto (a green sauce made with Basil leaves, olive oil, salt cheese and garlic) is very typical of Liguria.
Vernazza
This picturesque town is perched on a majestic and charming cliff. Together with Monterosso, Vernazza is the oldest town of Cinque Terre (the first mention of this town dates back to 1080). Vernazza was also built along a stream, the Vernazzola, which emptied into the sea.
This town is one of the most famed producers of olive oil and wine, such as Vernaccia, which has been appreciated since the Middle Ages.
The marina is where we find Piazza Marconi, a popular gathering place for the town's fishermen and visitors. Vernazza's marina is dedicated to "the people of the sea". The town's main church, Santa Margherita di Antiochia is accessible from Piazza Marconi and offers spectacular panoramic views of the harbour and ocean.
This picturesque town is perched on a majestic and charming cliff. Together with Monterosso, Vernazza is the oldest town of Cinque Terre (the first mention of this town dates back to 1080). Vernazza was also built along a stream, the Vernazzola, which emptied into the sea.
This town is one of the most famed producers of olive oil and wine, such as Vernaccia, which has been appreciated since the Middle Ages.
The marina is where we find Piazza Marconi, a popular gathering place for the town's fishermen and visitors. Vernazza's marina is dedicated to "the people of the sea". The town's main church, Santa Margherita di Antiochia is accessible from Piazza Marconi and offers spectacular panoramic views of the harbour and ocean.
Monterossa
Monterossa is the largest of the five towns of Cinque Terre and together with Vernazza is the oldest. Evidence of its existence goes back to 1056. Like the other villages, Monterossa was built on the banks of a stream, the Rio Buranco, which today flows under the main street.
The town is divided into two sections. The "new" part is that of Fegina, where there are beaches and many hotels. The old town centre is where visitors find the churches of San Francesco and San Giovanni Battista
Monterossa is the largest of the five towns of Cinque Terre and together with Vernazza is the oldest. Evidence of its existence goes back to 1056. Like the other villages, Monterossa was built on the banks of a stream, the Rio Buranco, which today flows under the main street.
The town is divided into two sections. The "new" part is that of Fegina, where there are beaches and many hotels. The old town centre is where visitors find the churches of San Francesco and San Giovanni Battista
Food in the Liguria region
We had delicious food in Cinque Terre, including foods that are typical of Liguria like pesto and focaccia (a soft bread with different toppings). We also had some great seafood.
We had delicious food in Cinque Terre, including foods that are typical of Liguria like pesto and focaccia (a soft bread with different toppings). We also had some great seafood.
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