I could have spent a week hiking in Cinque Terre, but my plans to travel the Mediterranean got changed because of an unforeseen circumstance. Today, I finally got around to spending a day in Cinque Terre. And it was one very hectic day. Cinque Terre or Five Lands as the name implies, consists of five villages hidden in tiny coves along the craggy stretch of the Liguria coastline: Portovenere, Riomaggiore, Vernazza, Manarola and Monterosso Al Mare. Because of very high cliffs and rugged terrain, Cinque Terre was inaccessible and had been isolated and virtually unknown to outsiders for centuries.
Today, Cinque Terre is one of the most visited places in Italy. Like most people, Cinque Terre has been on my travel bucket list for years. Pictures …show more content…
As if by design, it had welcoming views, especially the view of a church built into the rocky cliff.
Then a stunningly beautiful landscape after beautiful landscape for the eyes and the camera followed.
The boat ride ended at Monterosso Al Mare, the northernmost village and the busiest. Upon arrival, we sat down to enjoy lunch of seafood and tried the local wine that had a bit of a salty taste because it was produced from the vineyard that faced the sea. After lunch, I hiked up to the Monastery of San Francisco for more astonishing views. Then I went exploring. Monterosso Al Mare seemed to be the biggest of the villages of the Cinque Terre with small hotels and expansive beach area. However, as a day-tripper, I did not really have much time to enjoy the beach. But it was okay because I had seen better beaches with white sand and warm waters. I took the crowded train back to visit the other villages. Vernazza was another busy village. The narrow streets lined by souvenir shops, cafe's and gelaterias converged into the tiny square by the water's edge. My time there was very limited, just enough to consume a gelato and explore the Church of Santa Margherita d’Antiochia, a church built in the 12th century, and has a unique entry-way and a nave and two aisles with an octagonal bell tower. Built into the rock, the church practically sits by the water’s
Today, Cinque Terre is one of the most visited places in Italy. Like most people, Cinque Terre has been on my travel bucket list for years. Pictures …show more content…
As if by design, it had welcoming views, especially the view of a church built into the rocky cliff.
Then a stunningly beautiful landscape after beautiful landscape for the eyes and the camera followed.
The boat ride ended at Monterosso Al Mare, the northernmost village and the busiest. Upon arrival, we sat down to enjoy lunch of seafood and tried the local wine that had a bit of a salty taste because it was produced from the vineyard that faced the sea. After lunch, I hiked up to the Monastery of San Francisco for more astonishing views. Then I went exploring. Monterosso Al Mare seemed to be the biggest of the villages of the Cinque Terre with small hotels and expansive beach area. However, as a day-tripper, I did not really have much time to enjoy the beach. But it was okay because I had seen better beaches with white sand and warm waters. I took the crowded train back to visit the other villages. Vernazza was another busy village. The narrow streets lined by souvenir shops, cafe's and gelaterias converged into the tiny square by the water's edge. My time there was very limited, just enough to consume a gelato and explore the Church of Santa Margherita d’Antiochia, a church built in the 12th century, and has a unique entry-way and a nave and two aisles with an octagonal bell tower. Built into the rock, the church practically sits by the water’s