Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is my favorite place in Italy thanks to the authentic Italian culture and small-town vibes. This beautiful and scenic Italian seaside paradise consists of five cliffside villages in the Liguria region of Italy. These picturesque towns are protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and full of grape vines, lemon trees and olive trees. As you might expect, the food here is fresh and authentic and the locally-grown wine is top of the line.

Cinque Terre has been blowing up on social media as the next big Italian travel destination, and for good reason. This collection of five charming coastal towns has everything you need for a memorable trip: beautiful scenery, rich culture, delicious food, and abundant activities. I recommend setting your base in Monterosso, the largest of the five towns, and exploring from there.

Northern Italy is a great destination for food, wine, culture, nature escapes, beautiful landscapes, history, romance and so much more! It's quite popular, and for good reason! Italy is iconic, and Northern Italy especially. The region caters to everyone's desires and is also situated in a great spot if you're ever interested in traveling to a neighboring country or two (think Switzerland, France, Slovenia or Croatia).

Cinque Terre is the picturesque region along the Italian Riviera made up of five small villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernaza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Known for its rugged beauty and colorful cliffside villages, this is a sought-after destination for many. If you are fortunate enough to find yourself on a cruise in the Mediterranean, your cruise line may offer costly excursions that can be crowded and lacking in authenticity. Since this little tresure is about an hour and a half away from major ports such as Genoa and Livorno, you can absolutely get a taste of this breathtaking place on your own, saving you money and time! I will be writing this from the perspective of porting in Genoa, but this itinerary could apply to other non-port cities such as Pisa or Le Spezia as well.

Going to the Cinque Terre feels like getting lost in time. It gives you a moment to sit back and breath in and reflect on how beautiful the world can be. It is not just a place for advanced hikers but an opportunity for any person at any level to have a breath taking experience of reflection, challenge, good food, wine and the beauty of nature.

Along a beautifully isolated six-mile stretch of the northern Italian coast lie the five dramatically perched villages of the Cinque Terre. Each town is a variation on a timeless theme: a pastel-hued jumble of homes—some clinging precariously to steep hillsides, others tucked into narrow ravines—all seemingly fused to the cliffs like crusty sea creatures in a tide pool. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural and environmental significance, Cinque Terre is not just preserved—it’s protected. Cars are banned within the villages, keeping the rhythm slow and the air refreshingly salt-sweet. The only way in is the right way: on foot, by train, or by boat.

Italy is a feast for the senses, and nowhere is its magic more alive than in Florence, Lake Como, Cinque Terre and Tuscany. Wander through Florence’s Renaissance heart, soak in the serene beauty of Lake Como’s alpine waters, explore the vibrant cliffside villages of Cinque Terre and savor world-class wine and golden sunsets across Tuscany’s rolling hills. Each destination offers a soul-stirring blend of art, nature and timeless charm.

Cinque Terre is a coastal region in Italy comprising five charming villages, conveniently reachable by boat, hiking, or train. Nestled along the Italian Riviera in northwest Italy, this picturesque destination provides an enchanting escape from the ordinary. Discover vibrant cliffside villages, each possessing its own distinct character and allure, against the backdrop of breathtaking Ligurian Sea views. Delight in terraced vineyard pathways that evoke awe. Embark on scenic village-connecting trails, indulge in the region's renowned pesto pasta, and relax with a glass of local wine as the sun dips below the horizon.