Cinque Terre Trip

Cinque Terre is part of the Liguria region on the west coast of Italy, a harsh and gorgeous part of the Riviera. Cinque Terre literally means "The Five Lands", comprising the villages of Vernazza, Corniglia, Riomaggiore, Manarola and Monterosso al Mare. The area is a more unusual destination choice than some better known spots in Italy and all the more enjoyable for that.

There is not a lot of modern development; instead, the charm is in the centuries-old townships and the terraces stretching and rolling down the hillside. At the bottom of the steep hills, the azure sea shines and sparkles -- the landscape is the main attraction of a Cinque Terre vacation.

The transport system during your vacation will be made up of boats, trains and your own legs as you walk the well-worn paths between villages. This is due to the steep and changing landscape. Transport to Cinque Terre is made up of several different options, depending on where you start from. A train runs from La Spezia to Genoa, while passenger ferries run from places as far as Lerici, Portovenere, La Spezia and Genoa's Old Harbour.

There is a long walking trail that connects the five villages together. Manarola to Corniglia is the easiest of the trails, while Vernazza to Monterosso can be quite demanding. Walking during your Cinque Terre vacation is a must! All the other walks vary in difficulty, but take you through fields, vineyards and ancient olive groves. The more walking you do; the more beautiful and untouched countryside you see.

Things to do on your Cinque Terre vacation include relaxing, hiking, swimming as well as cooking classes and wine tasting in the local vineyards. Accommodation varies from resorts and villas to unusual apartments and also B and B arrangements with locals. There's a wide variety of traditional and modern local food and wine to try too!

Article Source: TravelFreeGuides.com

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Join Top Travel Content Europe on a Cinque Terre vacation of your own, or plan your other European vacation ideas with help from the best in European travel stories.

by: Katie Bryant

Total views: 2 Word Count: 321 Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 Time: 8:50 AM - 0 comments

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