Cinque Terre

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Image:Italy.cinque.terre.monterosso.01.jpg Image:Italy.cinque.terre.vernazza.01.jpg Image:Italy.cinque.terre.corniglia.01.jpg Image:Italy.Cinque.Terre.Manarola.2.jpg Image:Cinque Terre.jpg The Cinque Terre are five coastal villages in the province of La Spezia in Italy. "Discovered" by foreigners in the late 20th century they have come to be among the most touristed areas of Italy. The coastline, the five villages, and the surrounding hillsides are all encapsulated in a national park of the same name.

The five villages are, from west to east (i.e. towards LaSpezia):

1 Communications
2 Accommodation for travellers
3 Villages near Cinque Terre
4 Food and Wine
5 External links

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Communications

A local train line from La Spezia to Genoa connects all the five villages. The train connecting the five villages runs in what is mainly a tunnel for the full distance between Riomaggiore and Monterosso, emerging from the rock infrequently for quick glimpses of the Mediterranean down the hill. Train service is quick and frequent although it can get busy on the weekends.

There is a passenger ferry service running between the five villages, providing a different vantage point to see the rugged coastline and the shore line at each village.

There are well-laid out walking trails connecting each village to its neighbors. The path from Riomaggiore to Manarola is called the Via Dell'Amore (or roughly "Lovers Walk"). This winds along the shore, is very picturesque and is very easy to hike. The stretch from Manarola to Corniglia is also easy to hike although the main trail into Corniglia finishes with a climb of over 400 stairs. The trail from Corniglia to Vernazza is steep at certain places. The trail from Vernazza to Monterosso is by far the steepest. It winds through olive orchards and vineyards and is rough in some places but offers the best views of the bay and the spectacular approaches to both Monterosso and Vernazza. There are nominal fees to use the more popular walking trails, but the less frequently travelled (and most arduous) are free of charge.

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Accommodation for travellers

All the villages have small hotels. There are many bed and breakfasts throughout the area that offer excellent service and frequently beautiful views of the Mediterranean and the surrounding hills.

Well known among backpackers is Mama Rossa's hostel located in the village of Riomaggiore. Mme Rossa famously will grab backpackers who have just gotten off the local train and guide them to her hostel, an old haunt used by backpackers for years.

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