Three Nights in the Cinque Terre

The best way to get to the Cinque Terre is by train. There are multiple trains arriving daily from popular destinations such as Milan, Florence and Genoa. (It is important to note that most of the Cinque Terre is not accessible by car.) For your first day, get settled and enjoy the great views. Be sure to book dinner reservations in advance. For this first night, try restaurant L'ancora della Tortuga at sunset.

Spend the day relaxing at the beach in Monterosso. I recommend getting there early to get one of the more premium chairs. After you have gotten your fill of the beach, head over to the Monterosso dock for a sunset cruise (I recommend Sea Breeze, be sure to book in advance) for the evening. Seeing the five towns by sea should not be missed and be sure to wear your bathing suit. The water is warm and incredibly clear. Bring your camera for some amazing photos of both the sunset and the towns.

This day is all about exploring! I highly recommend hiking between a least two of the five towns (the Monterosso to Vernazza hike is one of my favorites.) Expect a lot of stairs, but to be rewarded with epic views. When you buy your ticket to hike the blue trail, I also recommend adding on the unlimited train access for the day. This will allow you to travel between the towns at your leisure for the day. I recommend getting lunch in Riomaggiore at dau Cila and dinner in Manarola at Trattoria Dal Billy. Alternatively, if hiking isn't your idea of a good day you can take the pesto making class in Manarola at Nessun Dorma before hopping between the towns for the rest of the day.

Spend the morning getting your last minute shopping done or exploring the towns a bit more. When you are ready to head to your next destination, hop on the train to your next destination. Many trains connect through Pisa, which is a great day trip spot if you have not been yet!