Italian Seasides

You have probably noticed that it is not a holiday that I have planned unless there is a hike involved - and off the Italian coast offers the one of the most rewarding hikes we have done. 

If you choose to hike or not, while you are in Italy you will need to make time to stop for the night in Cinque Terre to experience this magical place in person.

A national park of Italy, there are five picturesque towns that make up Cinque Terre: Monterosso, Vernazaa, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.  Each village is quite different and should be experienced as a separate locale - so bring a bathing suit, water bottle, and an appetite to enjoy every bit of the Ligurian coast.

Starting in the south, closest to Pisa, you will arrive in Riomaggiore. The largest of the towns we will visit, this will serve as the entrance into Cinque Terre and offers the most options for hotels during your stay. For lunch or cocktails, A Pie’ de Ma’ will reward with perfect views, free WIFI, and great drink deals. It is steps above the train station so no worries on getting lost on your walk or train home after endless sunsets and too many sundowners. 

From Riomaggiore take to the seaside hiking path that connects the five towns and has been used by locals for centuries.

Walking through terraced vineyards, gardens, and olive groves,

 that end with dramatic cliffs housing Italian culture jutting into the brilliant sea below.

This trail is narrow and will not be an easy hike - much of the path has been washed away by rains and I may have slipped once (definitely twice) - but remember to look up and see what you are missing!

You will arrive next in Corniglia, the only town of the five that does not have a harbor but instead sits high in the hills allowing dramatic views to the Mediterranean sea below along with beautiful homes that cluster the cliffs.

We stopped here for lunch with delicious pasta and freshly caught seafood to feed our bellies. Served with wine that was light and refreshing but it was the water break we needed after the seaside trail.

Continuing on to Manarola, this is the stop to see in real life the picturesque views of colorful homes that reside on the marina that Cinque Terre is renown for.

Peruse the markets here for wines and olive oils, fruits, and pestos to take home.

If they last that long - ours did not!

To my heart, Vernazza is a place of worship. Blessed with protected harbor, it is equally adored by tourists and Italians alike.

 We laid our towels along the sea wall and watching Italian swimmers jumped into the raging waters.

It was heart pounding to see the ocean swell with them along, but each time the waves lightly placed them on the dock as if their protector.

From here we took a ship to Monterosso al Mare, the last of the five towns of Cinque Terre. If you are searching for a beach trip, Monterosso is the perfect location with rocky beaches and a  perfect blue sea.

The streets are wide and made for tourists, selling gelatos and beach floats to the Italian families that come to the shore for their summer vacations.

But just like every popular beach by your home, this beach gets crowded as the day lingers in the heat. It is like making it to Panama City in Florida during high school Spring Break.

Take your little space in life and enjoy this amazing place.

Or take the train back to your favorite city of Cinque Terre and begin again.