"Cinque Terre"

A popular tourist destination, Cinque Terre (literally: the Five Lands) is a set of five perched villages linked together along a short stretch of cliffs on the Italian. Riviera: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. Corniglia is the only one set up the cliff, away from the water. Vernazza is maybe the most charming one, with its colorful houses, fortified tower and church clustered around a well-sheltered harbor. The five villages and the coastline are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

A panoramic hiking trail, known as the Sentiero Azzurro (“Light Blue Trail”), connects the five villages. The trail from Riomaggiore to Manarola is called the Via Dell’Amore (“Love Walk”). The stretch from Manarola to Corniglia is the easiest to hike, although the main trail into Corniglia finishes with a climb of 368 steps.

Food in Cinque Terre

1. Focaccia

Focaccia—the light, lofty hybrid of pizza and bread found all over Italy—originated in the Ligurian city of Genoa. While it's now found all over Italy, focaccia is still done better in Liguria than anywhere else. Proper focaccia is fluffy yet crunchy, salty, and glistening with olive oil. Variations may incorporate rosemary, garlic or onions, or are studded with olives, tomatoes, or other vegetables. Be sure to try to few different types—all in the name of research, of course!

2. Pasta with Pesto

Pesto—the savory sauce made of basil, pine nuts, olive oil, garlic, salt, and parmesan or Pecorino cheese—was first developed in Liguria. This is partly because the abundance and quality of basil in the region. Basil grown in Liguria, and particularly the Cinque Terre, is considered more flavorful than anywhere else. The bright green, flavor-packed sauce shows up on pasta, gnocchi, risotto, and even in lasagna.

3. Fritto Misto

There's more than one way to eat a fritto misto, a mixed fried plate. On the street, these portions of lightly fried fish, shellfish, and vegetables are sold in paper cones, priced according to their ingredients. In restaurants, a fritto misto might arrive as a heaping plate or basket of fried tidbits. The serving might look like it's too much for one sitting but trust us, you and your dinner companions will get through it!