Cinque Terre July 2011

Where do I even begin to describe one of the most beautiful little places I think I’ve ever seen? The five towns of Cinque Terre all have something unique to offer, and are all just as beautiful and quaint as the last. The towns largely consist of a little ramshackle main street with colourful houses jutting over the coast like in a child’s painting.

We arrived in Riomaggiore, the farthest (or fifth town) by train if you’re coming from La Spezia and ascended the steep hill towards where our hostel was supposed to be. We marveled as we walked up at the picturesque little shops and cafes in an array of colours and sizes.  We found the hostel, and then the hostel owner pointed to a set of steps (342 – I counted), also all of different shapes and sizes, and told us our room was at the top. I had a 20kg backpack to contend with – my travel buddy had a 25kg suitcase.

After a sweet little Italian man carried her suitcase to the top, my travel buddy and I wiped the sweat from our foreheads and took in the amazing view of the hills, the coast and the amazing rickety houses that made up Cinque Terre – the climb had been worth it.

We spent the next few days exploring the other towns, each as wonderous as the next. Manarola is perhaps the smallest of them all, and featured a hiphop/skateboarding/graffiti exhibition right in the middle of the town while we were there, which led us to believe it had the youngest, most modern feel about it.

Next along is Corniglia – by far my favourite.  Another big climb to get to the town, but this has tended to mean it will be worthwhile once you get there, and Corniglia was no exception. Not just because the gelati was amazing, but the town is just perfect, with beautiful winding little streets, houses, and shops perched precariously right on top of a hill. On one side is the ocean, and an amazing view of the other towns perched on their hills over the coast, and on the other is row upon row of miniature farms carved into the side of the hills. Save a whole day for Corniglia – even just for the views.

The second town along is Varnazza, another lovely spot with great pasta if you want to stop here for lunch. It’s a nice walk along the beach here, and all the way to the next town; Monte Rosso. Monte Rosso is the most commercialised of the five towns, probably because it has the nicest beach. If you’re into the whole resort/hotel thing, then Monte Rosso is for you, if you’re not, just pop in for a brief visit!

I was very sad to leave Riomaggiore, and its ‘one bar’ that the little community of young tourists would flock to in the evening, and I doubt I’ll see anything like it ever again.