8/31/2018 0 Comments Cinque Terre, ItalyThe Cinque Terre is a wild piece of coastline on the Italian Riviera in the Liguria region of Italy not far from Genoa. "The Five Lands" is actually five villages connected by walking path and ferries. The people here built these amazing villages on the very edge of cliffs, while carving terraces in to the hillsides in order to grow grapes and olives. It is a sight to behold, with stunning view and opportunities for photos. The entire area is actually a UNESCO world heritage site. Over the course of 2000 years, they have reclaimed land from the rugged coastline. In late 2011, there were severe storms which caused extensive damage to many of the terraces, buildings and walking path, but the locals have worked tirelessly to restore everything. The fact the no one can drive here from the outside and the area is mostly steep cliffs, made this feat a rather amazing one.
To get here, you will need to walk. There is a road in to Vernazza, where you park you car and walk the last 1/2 mile into the Cinque Terre villages but it is better to go to La Spezia and take the train. A passenger ferry runs between the five villages and there is also a walking trail, known as Sentiero Azzurro. Most of the trails are easy to walk, one is even wheelchair friendly although the main trail into Corniglia finishes with a climb of 368 steps. This is a very relaxing place to come and visit. It is not a big party town or filled with bars and nightlife, but rather a gentle reminder that life exists outside of those realms. That’s not to say that there is nothing to do here. The food is fantastic, with pesto being one of the local specialties. Due to its proximity to the water, there is an abundance of seafood too. In the terraces above the town, the grapes that are grown produce some great wines that are very specific to the area. Each village in the Cinque Terre has its own special appeal. The fortress of Sarzana and the vineyards near the tiny town of Volastra are amazing but no matter where you go in this district you will find something special. These are very small towns, and in many the population is declining, yet the travelers that come here are breathing life back in to this special place. One of its biggest charms is the fact that there is almost no commercial development, so when you visit here you get an absolutely authentic experience.
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