5+ Reasons to Fall in Love With Italy's Cinque Terre
This is a writing sample from Scripted writer Magda Phili
A one-day trip to Cinque Terre (literally meaning, five lands) is enough to convince you that this is one of the best locations in Italy (some say it's the best)! These authentic colorful 5 fishing villages along the Italian riviera with their rugged coastline, clinging vineyards, picturesque itineraries, mouthwatering food, beautiful sea, and breathtaking views are listed in UNESCO as world heritage sites. How can they not considering they combine all these characteristics if not more? The Cinque Terre are located in the Liguria region are very close both to the Tuscany border and to the city of Genoa. Geologically speaking, the unique landscape of the Cinque Terre was created by a series of folds, formed when the rocks were pushed, raised and pressed together in the Tertiary period. This was a difficult land to harvest and make a living out of. To be able to cultivate the land narrow strips were created on the hillside, or sheer cliffs called "fasce". This is known as terrace cultivation which meant that countless short walls "muretti" (walls) and steps had to be built to support the steep strips of land. Thus, the clinging vineyards and the rugged appearance of the hills overlooking the sea. The place is gaining more and more ground not only because of its uniqueness but also due to extensive publicity, like other places in Italy, for that matter. This translates to a "change of scenery" for Cinque Terre as the place strives to accommodate big flocks of tourists temporarily inhabiting and percolating around the villages in search of authenticity and a sense of delight. Well, that sense of delight and authentic feeling is always there but, to be on the safe side, you should know that especially during July and August it can get very crowded. The famous five villages - from South to North - are Riomaggiore , Manarola , Corniglia , Vernazza , and Monterosso al Mare. Let's take a gander at each one of them and how to get there through the various trails. Before we do that, a couple of things. You need to bear in mind that there is an entry ticket for some of the paths. Visit this site for updated information on which trails are currently closed. To help you get around, it would be best to get the Cinque Terre Card. Find out more about it and the different options from this site. ### Riomaggiore The first out of the five villages you will come across - coming from the South - is Riomaggiore. Nestling between two steep hills , this village may tire you with its uphill streets, but its unspoiled beauty makes it stand out from the others. After Riomaggiore you can get to the next village Manarola but the path through the scenic Via dell'Amore is currently closed and so is its alternative path n. 531. Currently, the itinerary between Riomaggiore and Manarola includes the following paths: 501 (starting from the castle of Riomaggiore) -530-532-532C-502-506V-506. Best way to get there: By train or boat ### Corniglia If you are not much of a beach person, you will fall in love with Corniglia, the only village of Cinque Terre which is not on the sea but perched 90 meters above on a hillside. To get to the village you need to climb 377 wide steps! And so the adventure begins... Ruggedness in all its glory. You will reach piazza (square) Ciapara where you can find a small supermarket (very helpful!). Largo Taragio is the second square you will get to. It's smaller and scattered with tables where you can sit and enjoy a cappuccino or glass of wine. And there may be some good news if you really want to plunge into the sea if you are in Corniglia. Actually, there are three options depending how adventurous you are: the legendary nudist "spiaggia di Guvano" (Guvano beach), the "spiaggione" di Corniglia, which is the easiest to get to, and the "Marina di Corniglia", a charming coastal stretch dotted with stones and riffs. A word of advice about Guvano: Read this (X2. Trail 2) before attempting embarking on the adventure. Best way to get there: By train or boat or trekking route. However, the blue path n. 2 Manarola - Corniglia is closed. As an alternative trekking route you can take the Manarola route to Volastra on path 506 (ex 6) and Volastra to Corniglia on 586 (former 6 / D) and 587 (ex n. 7A). Please note that there's a toll to pay. ### Vernazza Vernazza embraces many elements which make it a favorite among tourists. It's got less uphill roads compared to the other villages, it's built around a beautiful, natural port and in comparison with the other villages it has a "piazza" (square) with a plethora of choices around it. Its main attractions are the church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia and the Castello Doria. As you might have guessed there is no beach in the strict sense of the word. Vernazza has a small rock-strewn coastline stretching out towards the sea and is hinged with riffs. Other things to see in Vernaglia: a cave carved into a rock from which you can get to a small pebbly beach and the Bastione Belforte. Getting there: You can take the blue path n. 2 Monterosso - Vernazza. This trail is fully open. ### Manarola This is the oldest and perhaps the prettiest of all the Cinque Terre villages. Manarola's picturesque beauty with the colorful houses perched on a steep hill is what probably made Cinque Terre so popular. The ideal time to visit it is during the sunset when the colors of the houses conflate with those of the sky. Don't forget to try the local wines and the aromatic Limoncello. Due to its suggestive beauty and vast size, you will need at least half a day or more to discover it. The top sites not to miss are Piazza Innocenzo IV with the Oratorio dei Disciplinati , San Lorenzo church and the bell tower. Another site - created by nature and enhanced by the human hand - are the terraced strips on the hills from which you can enjoy the perfect view of the old city centre. Best way to get there: By train or by taking the alternative walking path described earlier. ### Monterosso al Mare The train doesn't get precisely in the historic centre of Monterosso but in Fegina , Monterosso's "other half", a sort of tourist resort within the same city. This part of the city is more full of life and this is where there is a beach in the stricter sense of the word. From Fegina you can get directly to the old town with a walk of about five minutes along the seafront. Alternatively, you can decide to talk a longer route through via delle Agavi and reach San Francesco church and the Convent of Capuchin Friars on the hills of San Cristoforo, dividing Monterosso and Fegina. When you get down to the historic centre, you will grasp the beauty of Cinque Terre and of getting lost in its labyrinth-like streets. Must-see attractions in Monterosso al Mare are: the Giant Statue , the Aurora Tower , San Lorenzo church dominating the town, the Oratorio dei Neri and San Giovanni Battista church. Our itinerary doesn't exactly end here. There's more to Cinque Terre than meets the eye of its beholder. ### Portovenere & Lerici (Gulf of the Poets) If you are still not in love with Cinque Terre or if you are not the adventurous type, the sheer beauty of Portovenere (literally translated in "port of Venus") will convince you. From La Spezia, within a short distance from the train station, there's a bus that takes you to the Portovenere's old town. Portovenere is much better preserved and has many more attractions to visit. It is also connected to the Cinque Terre by ferry boat. Opposite the historic centre your eyes will feast upon new lands - islands to be precise. Portovenere and its archipelago is the spectacle here you cannot escape from. The three islands are Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto and in 1997 both Portovenere and its islands were listed in UNESCO along with the Cinque Terre. Don't miss the Palazzata a Mare (the colorful string of houses along the coast), San Pietro church, Grotta or Cala dell'Arpaia (Byron's Cave), the Castello Dori a, the mills, San Lorenzo church and the alleys in the old centre. Why "Gulf of the Poets"? English writers Mary Shelley and Percy Bysshe Shelley lived in a house near the fishing village of Lerici, Casa Magni. Lerici is a lovely coastal town, dominated by the castle of San Georgio overlooking the port. From Lerici, one can see the nearby town of San Terenzo and the white arches of Shelley's residence. Percy Shelley died young - he was about 30 - in the sea in front of Lerici; he drowned when his boat Don Juan was caught in a storm as he was sailing back from Livorno. Lord Byron , a friend of Shelly's, was also a keen visitor. He used to swim across the bay from Portovenere to visit Shelley. According to a local legend, Byron would visit the Grotta dell'Arpaia (now widely known as Byron's cave) to meditate and draw inspiration. Before them, Dante and Petrarch were attracted to the mesmerizing landscape and Italian author Mario Soldati lived in the fishing village Tellaro. Before I go (I know this post was rather long) there are a few more off the beaten path towns that I advise you not to miss. They are not so famous (yet) but their poetic beauty will inspire you: Tellaro, Fiascherino and Ameglia. For info on ferryboat lines and time schedules visit the Navigazione Golfo dei Poeti site.
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