Situated along 18km of serrated cliffs on the Italian Riviera is the Cinque Terre (the Five Lands), one of Italy’s treasures. It is composed of five villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore, and along with the breathtaking coastline and spectacular hillside filled with olive groves and vineyards, it is without doubt one of the most scenic areas in Northern Italy.

Over centuries, people have carefully built terraces on the rugged, steep landscape right up to the cliffs that overlook the sea, and unlike other popular tourist destinations, there has been little to no development in this area. Hence, the Cinque Terre has maintained its charm and it's as if time has stood still for a century. Each village has its own flavor, and to sample them all, you can hike through miles and miles of breathtaking trails or ride a ferry boat from one to the other … we opted for the ferry boat ride.

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