Cinque Terre- Adventure #1
My roommate and I spent majority of our first week in Florence soaking in our new city, but on Sunday of our first week we decided we wanted to check out a new part of Italy. In September, the weather is still hot and sunny in Italy (most of the time), so we wanted to be sure we made it to the ocean spots, or the warmer destinations early on in our trip.
Cinque Terre is essentially 5 little villages side by side in the north west corner of Italy. It is easily accessible by train, especially during the summertime. This is when tourists flock the streets and mark this place as a must see destination - and it really is.
A lot of people surpass the first four villages and head straight to Monterosso (the last village), where there is a "spring break" type feel with chairs lined up along the beach and often times giant margaritas in hand. This last town is very touristy, while the others have a much more local flare. I would highly advise against going straight to Monterosso!
We only had time to make it to four of the towns, (skipping Corniglia which is on top of a hill) but I would really recommend taking the time to see and experience each town. I wish we would have!
I would also advise you to hike as much as you are willing from village to village. There is a train that will take you between each town quickly, but the sights you take in at these great heights are breathtaking and worth every step.
My friend and I hiked from Vernazza to Monterosso, and I would be lying if I told you it was an easy hike - it most definitely is not! It's hard but the weather was phenomenal and the views we were able to experience were incredible. The Via del Amore (the walk of love) was unfortunately closed when we were there but I've heard this is a great hiking option that is much easier!
My favorite two towns were by far Manarola and Vernazza. Manarola is where a lot of locals hang out, and we were able to swim here and cliff jump right down the pathway to the sea. Vernazza was an open bay for swimming with the classic colorful houses along the edge. It was also the main focus of our sightseeing as we were hiking. The higher we climbed, the more beautiful it became!
Food: These villages are literally right on the sea, so anything with seafood is a must have. It is fresh and fabulous. They also have amazing pesto here - they are pretty famous for it in fact (the birthplace).
Cinque Terre was a fantastic way to begin my adventures. When you see pictures of this place on Pinterest or on travel sites, this is a place that lives up to the pictures in every way. I wish we would have spent a weekend here instead of just a day, but this is a place I would make time for if you are exploring Italy!
Overlooking Manarola
Vernazza
The rugged, steep hike!
Heading to Monterosso
Corniglia on the hilltop
We only had time to make it to four of the towns, (skipping Corniglia which is on top of a hill) but I would really recommend taking the time to see and experience each town. I wish we would have!
I would also advise you to hike as much as you are willing from village to village. There is a train that will take you between each town quickly, but the sights you take in at these great heights are breathtaking and worth every step.
My friend and I hiked from Vernazza to Monterosso, and I would be lying if I told you it was an easy hike - it most definitely is not! It's hard but the weather was phenomenal and the views we were able to experience were incredible. The Via del Amore (the walk of love) was unfortunately closed when we were there but I've heard this is a great hiking option that is much easier!
My favorite two towns were by far Manarola and Vernazza. Manarola is where a lot of locals hang out, and we were able to swim here and cliff jump right down the pathway to the sea. Vernazza was an open bay for swimming with the classic colorful houses along the edge. It was also the main focus of our sightseeing as we were hiking. The higher we climbed, the more beautiful it became!
Food: These villages are literally right on the sea, so anything with seafood is a must have. It is fresh and fabulous. They also have amazing pesto here - they are pretty famous for it in fact (the birthplace).
Cinque Terre was a fantastic way to begin my adventures. When you see pictures of this place on Pinterest or on travel sites, this is a place that lives up to the pictures in every way. I wish we would have spent a weekend here instead of just a day, but this is a place I would make time for if you are exploring Italy!
Manarola
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