Cinque Terre, Italy

Cinque Terre is an Italian national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site composed of five villages, hence the name.  The villages are each built on rugged, steep cliffs and are connected via train and walking paths.  Our lack of reservations proved to be a bit burdensome; however, we managed to find three separate one night stays (first night in Manarola, second in Riomaggiore, third night back in Manarola).  Upon arrival, the first action Ken undertook was to jump into the Mediterranean Sea, while I relaxed on our porch overlooking the ocean.

Our first night we found an amazing restaurant serving fresh tuna (caught earlier that afternoon) and witnessed a picturesque sunset... it was an evening to remember.  We reminisced about how far we’d come (literally and figuratively).  Here’s a picture of me waiting outside the restaurant.

Regrettably, the seaside towns are overrun with elderly American tourists, but you can see why, what with the movie-set-esque cityscapes, narrow streets (no cars), eclectic markets, fresh vegetable stands, funky windows and doors, and colorful bicycles.  We were able to escape the Rick Steves crowds by hiking up into the hills amongst vineyards, horse-back riding trails, and scurrying lizards.  

Here are money shots from each village in geographical order from south to north.  Didn’t Ken do an amazing job with these?  Leave us a comment and tell us which is the best!

Riomaggiore

Manarola





We stayed two nights  in this village so it gets two shots

Corniglia

Vernazza

Monterosso

P.S.... Is that Wisconsin’s own Spotted Cow for sale on the Italian Riviera?