Cinque Terre
The Five Lands of Liguria in north-western Italy with their villages of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore
spread almost eqi-distantly long the rugged coast of steep hills - very similar to the Amalfi coastline.
Each is connected by rail, road, ferries and hiking trails that are a big attraction as became apparent from the
large number of walkers kitted out in the full-on hiking regalia. A bit over the top if you ask me. It may be up hill and
down dale but it aint Mt Everest when you can stop for a cappucino or a cianti at any of the villages.
The confronting crowds upon our arrival at Manarola had largely dissipated by the following day thank god. Manorola is small.
It has one main narrow thoroughfare with a few steep, side alleyways with story-book apartment buildings clustered around it on the hillsides.
The five villages all have their charms, as does nearby Porto Venere:
- Monterosso at the western end is the largest with a far less claustrophobic feel. Intersected by a headland, it has two waterfront esplanades fronting
piazzas and intriguing back streets that just must be explored. Apart from service vehicles it's mostly pedestrian traffic
in the villages - these places weren't built for vehicular traffic. Road access between them is high on the hillside.
- Vernazza. A small cove in the steep coast forms a tiny harbour surrounded by apartments on the surrounding hills Vernazza was once
a fortification protecting the inhabitants from maruading pirates.
- Corniglia, unlike the others, is built high on a promitory. It looked typically Italian-charming from the water
but we didn't get an on-the-ground look at it.
- Manarola was our choice for staying over and we weren't disappointed. As small as it is it is easy to venture out to the
other villages and to Porto Venere by the regular ferry service. Manarola has plentiful options to
indulge in the local cuisine and vinos, all of the typical Italian standard - tasty and fresh.
- Riomaggiore has its beach touted as a primary attraction. "Beach" is a vast overstatement - it's wet dirt and gravel.
The village is squeezed up a steep valley and while it looks the part it's a bit too squeezy to feel comfortable.
- Porto Venere, while not one of the 5 villages of the Cinque Terre is an easy ferry or train ride just further south and like
the villages is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its easy to see why. It's headland is dominated by the Church of St Peter and Doria Castle,
it's rugged coastal cliffs are worth a tour boat ride to see up close and it looks to be an ideal base to explore the La Spezia region
more widely.
