The Cinque Terre is a rugged portion of coast on the Italian Riviera. It is in the Liguria region of Italy, to the west of the city of La Spezia. “The Five Lands” is composed of five villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. The coastline, the five villages, and the surrounding hillsides are all part of the Cinque Terre National Park and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Over the centuries, people have carefully built terraces on the rugged, steep landscape right up to the cliffs that overlook the sea. Part of its charm is the lack of visible corporate development. Paths, trains and boats connect the villages, and cars cannot reach them from the outside. The Cinque Terre area is a very popular tourist destination.
The villages of the Cinque Terre were severely affected by torrential rains which caused floods and mudslides on October 25, 2011. Nine people have been confirmed killed by the floods, and damage to the villages, particularly Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare, was extensive.
There are few roads into the Cinque Terre towns that are accessible by car, and the one into Vernazza in particular is now open (June 2012 – but very narrow at many repair spots) to a parking area leading to a 1/2 mile walk to town after the October 2011 storm damage. It is best to plan not to travel by car at all but to park at La Spezia, for instance, and take the trains.Local trains from La Spezia to Genova and the rest of the region’s network connect the “five lands”. Intercity trains also connect the Cinque Terre to Milan, Rome, Turin and Tuscany. The tracks run most of the distance in tunnels between Riomaggiore and Monterosso.A passenger ferry runs between the five villages, except Corniglia. The ferry enters Cinque Terre from Genova’s Old Harbour and La Spezia, Lerici, or Porto Venere.
Love that.
You know what ? I love this,too…:)
How charming ! So colorful ! I love it.
It is very charming and colorful.
Next to the Sorrento coast, this is the best coastal area to visit. Love it Cristi!
Don’t tell me, you’ve been here too, right ?
Yes of course. I lived in Florence for so many years and traveled almost to all the important p,aces in Italy-:)
You are so lucky !
I know, I am indeed very very blessed!
Italienii ăștia și culorile lor…
Ai dreptate, au o problema….:)
… să se descurce ei cum pot!
)
Corect !
Quite COLORFUL!
Yeah…
I have been here as well and just adored the scenic beauty. We went in the fall of the year and it is a must see sight. Did you try the famous trofie al pesto while you were there? Come visit my sight and check out my cinque de Terre voyage. http://bamskitchen.com/2012/10/31/cinque-de-terres-ligurian-trofie-al-pesto-and-a-guest-post/
I never been here, maybe in a few years.So, tell me the famous trofie al pesto is good ?
Bwb, great post ! Thank you !
Love it. Have had the great opportunity to walk the trail from one village to the end and then took a boat back to La Spezia to get the views from the water. Such colors and atmosphere. I was sad to hear about the floods a few years ago. No doubt the wonderful people of the region have been able to persevere. Worth seeing again for sure. Thanks for the memories.
Thank you for visiting !