Page 126 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italian Riviera

124  THE IT ALIAN RIVIER A AREA B Y AREA

Exploring Cinque Terre

The Cinque Terre is perhaps Italy’s most idyllic cluster of coastal
villages and certainly its most unique. A chain of five villages
perched precariously on rocky promontaries, they are famous
for their extraordinary beauty and natural isolation. Residents of
the Cinque Terre villages have adapted to their challenging
natural surroundings, building houses that start at the sea and
climb the cliffs towards the sky, and cultivating the hills with
extensive vineyards and olive groves. Virtually inaccessible by
car, visitors flock to the villages on ferries and trains during the
summer months to witness Italy at its picturesque best. Each
village has something different to offer, from stunning beaches The stunning village of Vernazza, the jewel
to challenging hikes, buzzing cocktail bars or quiet seclusion. in Cinque Terre’s crown

exploring the network of Santa Margherita di Antiochia.
cobbled streets, stopping at a Its charming piazza is framed by
wine cellar for a glass of Sciac- the tall, pastel-hued buildings
chetrà (a sweet wine produced and beyond the town, steeply-
in the hills of the Cinque Terre). terraced olive-groves crowd
People-watch in the main the hillsides.
square – the Piazza Garibaldi – Due to its size and popularity,
home of the town hall and a Vernazza can get extremely
statue of Garibaldi. Other places crowded during the tourist
of note include the Church of season (May–September).
San Francesco and its impressive During this time, it is best to visit
collection of artistic treasures early in the morning or in the
(including a crucifixion evening when most of the day
attributed to Van Dyck), and trippers have left. The train
The long stretch of beach at the holiday home of Eugenio station is a mere 10-minute walk
Monterosso Montale (nobel-prize winning from the harbour and there are
Italian poet), who used the plenty of cafés, shops and places
Monterosso Cinque Terre as inspiration for of interest along the route. Get
Monterosso is the largest and many of his works. lost on the side streets; take one
most resort-like of the five of the numerous trails that lead
villages. It is also the most Vernazza away from the village or up to its
accessible (being slightly less Vernazza is often regarded as commanding 16th-century
vertical and having fewer steps the most beautiful of the five Belforte tower, which offers a
than the other villages), so is towns and it’s not hard to see fantastic view of the coastline.
the best choice for visitors with why. A small harbour nestles Hikes to the sanctuaries of San
mobility problems or small under the shadow of the Bernardino and the Madonna
children. The village is made up 11th-century Doria castle and a della Neveare (trafficked usually
of two distinct parts: the “new dramatic seaside church, the only by local farmers) are well
town” of Fegina, where the
beach, train station and much
of the tourist accomodation is
located, and the “old town’” of
Monterosso Vecchio – the
ancient medieval centre. In the
summer, tourists are drawn to
Monterosso for its long stretch
of sandy beach (the only
extensive beach in the Cinque
Terre), and for its variety of
hotels, restaurants, shops
and nightlife.
The historical centre of
Monterosso is crammed with
picture-perfect houses, artisan
shops and tiny winding
passageways. Take delight in Terraced vineyards sculpted out of the hillside at Corniglia
For hotels and restaurants in this area see pp181–2 and pp191–4

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