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Why Should Your Next Trip Be to Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre (pronounced CHEEN-kweh TEHR-reh), which is an UNESCO World Heritage site, consists of five towns along the Ligurian drift in northern Italy. The "Five Grounds" (as its name interprets) are Monterosso al Horse, Vernazza, Manarola, Corniglia and Riomaggiore, every similarly excellent and is like going to a living postcard. So apart from the picturesque beauty why else should you visit this gem?

Cinque Terre Viator

Cinque Terre (pronounced CHEEN-kweh TEHR-reh), which is an UNESCO World Heritage site, consists of five towns along the Ligurian drift in northern Italy. The "Five Grounds" (as its name interprets) are Monterosso al Horse, Vernazza, Manarola, Corniglia and Riomaggiore, every similarly excellent and is like going to a living postcard. So apart from the picturesque beauty why else should you visit this gem?

Understanding the town

All the towns incline down to sea level aside from Corniglia, which is roosted on top of a tall cliff. Four of the towns have an old-world appeal (from North-to-South: Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore). The northern-most town, Monterosso, is totally distinctive. It is exceptionally beachy-resorty, with very little to see past the promenade separated from present day flat squares and inns not at all like the narrow, warped lanes of alternate towns, lined with bright old houses stacked indiscriminately on top of one another.

Cinque Terre Boat Rental

It is important to note that, except for the new part of Monterosso, the boulevards in all the towns climb steeply from the harbours/train stations and are truly a test assuming that you are carrying things. Additionally, while all the towns have railway stations, mainline trains going through the Cinque Terre just stop in Monterosso station.

1. It's totally enchanting.

This is a place that pictures really do equity to as in Cinque Terre conveys on them. If you are going to Corniglia on the topmost ridge or Manarola's beautiful town square you will continually need to squeeze yourself to verify you're not day dreaming.

Cinque Terre Map

2. The people are super welcoming and friendly.

Whether its requesting directions or halting in for a brisk limoncello there is dependably a local prepared to chat, even with the dialect obstruction. You'd be astounded how individuals can impart over the widespread dialect of drinking wine and consuming bruschetta.

3. Ligurian seafood will take your breath away.

Like all of Italy the food is awesome, however regarding the matter of seafood the individuals of the Ligurian area thump it out of the park. It is straight from the ocean to your plate and will blow your mind, particularly the anchovies which the region is known for.

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How to Make Reservations and Save Money on Hotels in the Cinque Terre Region of Italy

There are five towns in the Cinque Terre region of Italy: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, Monterosso al Mare. This region is often referred to as the Italian Riviera and is an alternative to the French Riviera.

Cinque Terre Large Group Tour

All of the villages have restaurants and hotels near the beach or ocean. These villages are connected by rail service and the Cinque Terre National Marine Park hiking trails. The famous Cinque Terre hiking trail is just over 7 miles long and connects all the villages from Riomaggiore to Monterosso al Mare. The ocean views from the trail are spectacular, as you hike high above the cliffs connecting the small villages.

Making Hotel Reservations

Large Italian hotel groups are easy to communicate with, and have great online reservation systems. When you are working directly with smaller hotels, you need to make sure you send emails and faxes using very simple English words. This normally works better than telephone calling as many of the hotel staff do not speak good English.

Make sure you state in clear English, exactly what you are requesting: Type of room (double, two beds or queen) arrival and departure dates, rooms with toilet and bath, ocean view with balcony and any other requests. Good rooms are always limited in these smaller hotel units, so be very specific so you can get a good choice reserved for your arrival. You will receive a response from the hotel and be asked to furnish a credit card number to confirm the reservation.

Cinque Terre Map

You should send the credit card data via fax for security reasons. Most Italian hotels have email and fax numbers listed on travel guides and on their websites. When English is not well understood, this is a good way to make sure all your needs are understood. You also will have good written records for all your hotel communications.

Cinque Terre Boat

List of recommended Cinque Terra Hotels

Riomaggiore - Hotel Locanda Del Sole

Manarola -Hotel La Torreta

Corniglia - Hotel Villa Cecio

Vernazza - Hotel Pension Sorriso

Monterosso al Mare - Hotel Hotel Villa Steno

Conclusion

You can save money when making hotel reservations when you use the following tips.

Book direct with the hotel and eliminate the booking service.

Pay in cash and you can ask for a 5-10% discount at check in.

Stay at least three nights.

Offer to skip free continental breakfast for a better rate.

If you travel during off-season... show up without reservations for additional discounts.

Learn creative new ways to be a smart savvy European traveler.

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Cinque Terre Boat Rental

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Amazing Italian Food - II Pirata Delle of Cinque Terre - Vernazza Italy

Hop on one of the "old milk run" trains that service the five villiages in the Cinque Terre region...Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola and Riomaggiore. From the train station, wander up via Gavino...about a 4 minute walk...arrive at the top of the town. "II Pirata delle Cinque Terre" stands at the end of a short set of shops. A few small tables covered with cloth are waiting out front or you can dine inside this small but lively "Italian ristorante." You are about to taste "Italian Food" that will bring you back again and again.

Boat Charter Cinque Terre

Sicilians Gianluca and Massimo (Twins) run a very unique Italian restaurant located at the top of the town in Vanazza, Italy. During the off season the brothers live on an island near Sicily and teach culinary classes. They bring a touch of Sicily to this region from March to September each season. Gianluca is a pastry chef artist and along with his brother brings an array of homemade hot out of the oven treats each morning like panzerotto (made from ricotta, cinnamon, and vanilla) and variety of bruschette made from meat and cheese.

What to do in cinque terre

The brothers pack the place each morning and are a big hit even for the locals. During the day the fresh fruit granitas (slushees) are popular with the crowds. Lunch is served all day and for dinner it is a good idea to have reservations. The atmosphere is special as the duo creates fun with their playful service. Some of our favorite recommendations are: Starters--Bruschetta with pesto sauce & Tomato, Parma ham & buffalo mozzarella, pasta--lasagna with pesto sauce, lasagne bolognese (with meat sauce) cannelloni with ricotta cheese and spinach. The next time you visit Cinque Terre, treat yourself to the entertaining "Canoli brothers" and their authentic Italian cuisine.

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All About the Cinque Terre in Italy

The Cinque Terre is a picturesque series of five villages located along the Italian Riviera in the region of Liguria a little west of La Spezia. In fact, Cinque Terre means five lands or "five earths" in Italian. The five villages (alphabetical) include Corniglia, Manarola, Monterosso al Mare, Riomaggiore and Vernazza. This is a great area for hiking and also for swimming, so it attracts many outdoor enthusiasts. It also attracts loads of tourists in the summer because of its awesome and rugged beauty.

Corniglia

This is the most remote of all the villages, and it is perched high on top of a cliff thus it is the only village that is not located near the water. It is a town of narrow streets and stairways that cut through the hills filled with vineyards. There is also a 14-century church that is located in a pastel-colored piazza (square) called San Pietro. The view from the top is spectacular if you are able to make the climb. For those less physically fit, there is a shuttle bus that can take you there.

Cinque Terre Villages

Manarola

The black rock that this village is built upon gives Manarola a unique characteristic. It is located in the center of vineyards and olive trees. The pastel-colored houses sweep down the steep hill and overlook a tranquil swimming cove and harbor.

Monterosso al Mare

The largest of all the villages is Monterosso al Mare and it has the only real sandy beach. The water is crystal-clear and turquoise in color and the cliffs are very rugged and steep. It is also full of small and quaint hotels and restaurants. There is an older part of the village and a newer part that is separated by a medieval tower called Aurora on the hills of the Cappuccini. This town also has more festivals than any of the other Ligurian villages.

Cinque Terre Boat

Riomaggiore

According to ancient legend, Riomaggiore was founded by Greek refugees looking to escape persecution during the Byzantine empire. They picked this place because of the harbor, which is protected by two large mountain slabs. The town is also built into a river gorge, which is thus the name in Italian meaning "river major". There are many colorful homes, and remote rocks that are perfect for sunbathing.

Cinque Terre Map

Vernazza

The most charming of all the villages perhaps is Vernazza. There are many narrow streets and small piazzas that make up the town's character. It is also made up of pink-roof houses and there is also a medieval fort, castle and two towers that add to the ambiance. It is about a 90-minute hike to get here, but well worth it.

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Cinque Terre Villages

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Top 3 Reasons To Visit Cinque Terre When You Travel To Italy

One of the top destinations to visit in the world is Italy. From its picturesque hill towns to its breath-taking cliff towns and everything in between, Italy plays host to just about any kind of vacation you want. But how do you decide what to see? I recommend spending a good amount of time in the Italian Riviera visiting 5 small towns knows as the Cinque Terre and here are the top 3 reasons why.

1) Visually Stunning

Cinque Terre is comprised of 5 very tiny towns clinging to the cliffs along the coast of Italy. Riomaggiore, Corniglia, Manarola, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare are all distinct quaint towns that offer such stunning views you will never want to leave. The building colors are bright blues, pinks, reds, greens, yellows and more. In true Italian style the buildings in each town are stacked and packed all with their own little harbor and fishing boats on one side and lush mountain cliffs and vineyards on the other side. A must see for the artist, photographer, or anyone wanting to enjoy the beauty of these 5 towns.

Boat Charter Cinque Terre

2) Off The Beaten Path

Aside from being so beautiful, Cinque Terre is off the beaten path in more than one way. These towns are literally cut off from roads. There are parking sites you can use to get close and walk into the towns, but no tour busses or droves of drivers can or do come to these amazing places. The only way around each town is to walk and there are trains that stop at each town as well as a hiking trail if you choose to walk to each little city. Another way they keep from being overwhelmed is that the villas and hotels are truly Italian in style and comfort. You won't find those who only enjoy night life, soft pillows and many extra amenities here, just peace and quiet of very small groups, and adventurous solo travelers.

Cinque Terre Large Group Tour

3) Unesco World Heritage Site

Being a Unesco World Heritage Site means that no new buildings can be built and each town is protected from modernization. A blast from the past, these centuries old places hold unique culture, pride and beauty from a time long, long ago. The people who live here are from a long line of families that have lived here from the beginning. They are Italian through and through. The people are not the only part of this amazing place, but the buildings themselves show just how amazing it was to live in the world during this time. A time travel tunnel back to when people sustained themselves on the land and sea around them.

So take the trip of time travel when you go to these less busy, striking towns. Although those happen to be 3 of the top reasons to visit, there are many more, including hiking trails, amazing beaches and all the seafood you can eat!

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What Are Italy's Famous Tourist Attractions and Activities?

The Vatican, Rome

Technically this is a city-state, not an attraction within Italy, but guidebooks have been guilty of pairing them for decades with less justification than this. Enter St Peter's Cathedral, considered Christianity's most magnificent Renaissance church. And get ready to queue for Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel (or book ahead), though many find the maps and even frescoes on the way to the Chapel even more compelling than the main draw.

Assisi

Perched halfway up Mount Subasio, overlooking the town of Perugia, this walled city with a fourteenth-century fortress (Rocca Maggiore) is the birthplace of St Francis (1182), work began on his basilica in 1228, two years after his death, and if you can get past all the religious pilgrims, it's one of the most enchanting towns in the country

Cinque terre boat tour

The Colosseum, Rome

Long before Gladiator was made into a movie and David Beckham put on body armor for Pepsi, the Colosseum in Rome (completed in 80 AD) was the ultimate arena for public games.

Venice

It's sinking (possibly under the weight of all the tourist), and there's a chance the water may be knee-deep in St Marks Square by the time you visit, but to stroll Venice without crowds (off season, or at sunrise) may top your European visual highlights. There's a reason so many use it for comparison (Stockholm says it's the "Venice of the north", The Okavango Delta calls itself the "Venice of Africa"). There's little need for an overpriced gondola ride. A cheap city bus boat will do just fine. Do yourself a favour while visiting, and get lost; put away your map and wander the narrow back alleys until you need to ask a local for directions.

Florence

This city offers more art history per square meter than any other place outside Louvre. You could spend a year here and not see it all. In fact, several guidebooks far thicker than this book are devoted entirely to Florence. This Renaissance wonderland boasts the Uffizi gallery, Ponte Vecchio, the Duorno, Michelangelo's David, and the Basilica di San Lorenzo, to name but a few.

Walk on Cinque Terre

The five postcard-perfect fishing villages of the Cinque Terre (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Monterosso, Vernazza and Corniglia) along the northwest coast are connected by a cliff-side hiking trail that can be completed in one long day or divided up into a few days with hotel stays and good meals.

Climb the vie ferrate in the Dolomites

The vie ferrate (iron ways) are a magnificent system of steel ladders and fixed cables, originally built during World War I to help Alpine troops move through the mountains. With only modest modifications, they now allow beginner climbers to clip in and safely ascend to incredible heights.

Take a wine tour

Brunello di Montalcino is the Rolls-Royce of Italian wines. You can tour Montalcino, Chainti, or try the Cabernet Sauvignon of the Tuscan coast. The choice is limitless; you can taste some of the world's top wines almost everywhere you go.

Cinque Terre Map

Watch the volcano

Check your insurance coverage, then take a ferry from Naples or the north of Sicily to the island of Stromboli, hike a few hours up to the top of its volcano (you can't miss it), watch the sunset and then stick around for Mother Nature's fireworks as small eruptions send orange molten lava 50-100m up into the air.

Watch a football match

The bigger clubs like AC Milan, Juventus and Roma are among the best in the world, but you might find it more culturally enlightening to watch a game at a smaller stadium. Just make sure you're wearing the right colors. Rather, make sure you're not wearing the wrong colors. If you're not sure, bring a bag with a few options so you can get adapted to your surroundings.

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What to do in cinque terre

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Cinque Terre Large Group Tour