There are those places in the world you hear people talk about but never quite understand what it is that makes them special. Cinque Terre was one of those for me.
We came from Rome and stayed in La Spezia, just a couple of miles from the five terraced towns that make up Cinque Terre. We felt at home here. The cafes and shops felt like they were part of the lives of the people who actually lived in LaSpezia. A perfect base to explore the region.
Rail was our primary transportation. The train regularly runs from La Spezia into Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Rio Maggiore. The pass for the train lets you avoid the lines at the kiosks and includes entrance to the hiking trails that run between the cities.
There is a ferry and it is a great way to see the coastline. The train is better for transportation, however. The weather can close most of the ferry stops and it only runs for limited hours.
The shops and cafes within Cinque Terre are a bit touristy, but the towns themselves have an authentic charm. We were smitten with a little focacceria in Monterosso, had lunch on a terrace over the main street of Rio Maggiore, and had gelato everywhere, every day.
The experience of hiking in Cinque Terre is worth the effort. The trails run from one end to the other and the views are spectacular. If you look at any pictures of Cinque Terre (including mine) most of the iconic views come from the trails. Our hike between Corniglia and Vernazza was a workout but manageable with a great little cafe at the midpoint with spectacular views!
One night in La Spezia we mistakenly followed a recommendation and ended up in a unique heavy metal-themed restaurant. The food was delicious and the surroundings were confusing in the most enjoyable way. Italian-influenced German food was prepared and served by people who really cared about good food and beer.
We loved our time in this area. Natural beauty, Italian food, and an incredibly relaxed vibe. How can you go wrong?
Next stop Tuscany!