Cinque Terre - happiness times five

The pleasure can sometimes be doubled, tripled, and even multiplied by four or five - as is the case in the towns of Cinque Terre (Five Lands). We can find them on the Ligurian Riviera, where, nestled into vertical rocks, they look at the surface of the sea.

Cinque Terre consists of five Italian settlements: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Like the Tri-City, they are connected by a perfectly organized communication network. The train passes through them in less than 10 minutes. Traveling by it is a reasonable solution, because it is difficult to find a parking space in the high season. In addition, the road to Cinque Terre is winding and narrow, which makes maneuvering it difficult.

Coming from La Spezia, we will see Riomaggiore first. Its cottages are located between the hills, and the only road is steep down to the sea. Around Manarola you can see terraces surrounded by walls with olive trees and vines. The settlement is located on a headland pressed between two rocks. At the top, at an altitude of about 100 meters, there is Corniglia , to which we climb 377 steps. Vernazza is the only one in the Cinque Terre that has preserved its natural harbor, as well as the appearance and character of a fishing village. The last settlement, Monterosso , is divided into the ancient part with the historic center and the villa area by the beach.

Walk through the Five Lands of Liguria

The towns are suspended between the land and the sea. In addition to public transport (ferry, train), we can get around them on foot, using several routes. The main one is the Azure Trail (route no. 2), providing you with a view of wonderful landscapes. Due to its popularity, entry is payable - you must purchase the Cinque Terre Card. The most difficult sections can be covered by a motorboat or by train.

Don't miss the most famous route known as the Path of Love (Via dell'Amore). It connects Riomaggiore and Manarola. A walk along it will delight not only couples in love - everyone will remember the sunset and the view of the last rays lying on the water.

Currently, the main part of the route is closed until April 2017. Tourists have at their disposal a trail leading from Manarola to a small bar.

Five stars on the rocks

The part of the Italian Riviera on which the Five Lands are located has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Cinque Terre National Park is rich in marine fauna, rocks, grottos and cliffs, as well as beaches and bays.

In addition to its beauty, the area impresses with the variety of local cuisine. The menu is based on seafood with particular emphasis on anchovies, bream, sea bass, as well as squid and octopus. The specialty of the region is Cinque Terre Sciacchetrà , a white wine.

Camping in the Cinque Terre

Camping La Sfinge is situated between the Cinque Terre and Portofino. It is situated in a valley, surrounded by acacia and pine trees. It covers an area of 18,000m², and offers its guests the opportunity to practice water sports (including diving, surfing, fishing) and the proximity of hiking trails. It is easy to reach the surrounding and other attractions, such as the Cinque Terre National Park or the Deiva Marina resort with a beautiful sand and shingle beach. For those wishing to rent an umbrella, deckchair or screen, please contact the reception desk for information.

The campsite is waiting for guests looking for a quiet place with a wide range of entertainment. Staying there is a guarantee of unlimited contact with nature, in a location between the sea and the green forests.

Five Lands is a great vacation option for families with children, lovers and singles. It is a guarantee of a vacation of a lifetime for lovers of nature, water sports and monuments (be it castles, churches or charming old houses), as well as for lovers of good cuisine and even better wine.