If you are looking to absorb the scenic splendor of the ‘Cinque Terre’, then you might as well forget about renting a car. Burning rubber on the tiny streets up and down the mountains is fine but it turns out there’s a better way to explore the majestic cliffs! Honestly driving a car is more of a burden then a benefit, as the villages are closed to traffic and the roads are steep and narrow. Discover the amazing Cinque Terre National Park (Unesco World Heritage Site) by the regional train which runs along the Coast and stops in every fishing village (Monterosso, Corniglia, Vernazza, Manarola and Riomaggiore)!
Then choose among 120km of different hiking paths which for centuries were the only connection between the villages and the hinterland. You can choose the most touristic itinerary the ‘Blu path’ (Sentiero azzurro). Starting in Monterosso and hiking into Vernazza allows you the famous view of the village but you have hundred stairs to go up to get there. Doing it on the other side it is easier! Otherwise you can pick up a thematic path such as ‘churches and sanctuaries’ or ‘terraced vineyards’ or the higher trial, though more challenging.
There are also 7 beautiful underwater itineraries which require normally 1 hour and reach a depth of -15 / -50 meters. You can explore the 2 flotsams from the second world war but you need a special permission to explore the marine protected sea area, established to safeguard the habitat where two thousand fin whales and thousands of dolphins, goose-beaked whales and sperm whales live. Andrea from Liscadiving (info@liscadiving.com) in Levanto is the one who can help you to sort it out and he goes the extra-mile to make your experience a great one.
If you prefer to see the coast by the sea, there are also small boats tours and kayaks. You will find many nooks and caves where you can swim and snorkel and even a few fresh water falls. In one day it is possible to visit all the 5 Terre by kayak starting from Monterosso, stopping in the picturesque port of Vernazza to walk through the alleys of the village and then continuing to paddle to Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. The stretch between Corniglia and Manarola looks less attractive but Manarola and Riomaggiore are beautiful and also the coast until Portovenere.
You can not miss a truly exceptional day of fishing, Emiliano from Pevea is the one who can bring you to the ‘bluefin tuna fishing’. The sea in front of Punta Mesco is one of the best spot in the world to catch the giant tuna and this is really a memorable experience. He has also several boats from the rubber dinghy to the fast speed boat to take you on unforgettable excursions along the Cinque Terre villages or to swim in the exclusive coves or to watch the dolphins and whales, present in abundance in these waters that are the centre of cetacean sanctuary.
This area has also become an undisputed surfing destination because the wide gulf allows the creation of “surfables” waves up to 3 meters. Every time a storm is about to break down in Levanto, you can see flocks of impatient surfers waiting for the right moment to enter. Davide from the Brothers Surf School has a live webcam on the beach to check the waves and offers surf lessons and camps for children.
One other nice activity is touring the local farms which produce the extra-virgin olive oil and the wine on the terraced plots overlooking the sea. Taste the ‘Cinque Terre Doc’ wine and the ‘Sciacchetra’, which is sweet. What makes this wine so special is the concentration of natural sugars which reaches a potential alcohol level of at least 17% and is produced leaving the grapes to dry on well-ventilated racks. Find the list of the farms you can visit here.
Best restaurant to try in Monterosso is L’Ancora della Tortuga which literally sits at the top of a hill right on the water and offers breathtaking views! You will find a degustation menu or you can choose among a wide selection of traditional food, seafood and delicious fish. Book in advance if you want to be sure to get a table!
If you look for an amazing place where to stay in the area of Le Cinque Terre, Abbadia San Giorgio is very romantic and ideal for honeymoon. Hosted in a former 15th century Franciscan monastery, they offers only 8 suites and have cloisters with a beautiful arcaded garden. Other two great places for couples are the Hotel Carla in Levanto which has also a good restaurant and is close to the village center and the hotel Villa Edera in Moneglia, which has a pool and beautiful views over the valley. Orietta and her mother Francesca run the place and can organise tasting sessions of traditional local products and cooking classes. If you urge a spa to relax, go to the Park Hotel Argento which is the only 4 stars hotel in the area.
Want to discover more about Liguria? I invite you to go to Villa Anita, near Portofino, then to to Ca’ de Tobia, just in front of the beach of Noli and to Relais del Maro or Relais San Damian perched on the hills near Imperia. Please check my list of boutique hotels I selected to tour Liguria and enjoy this incredible stretch of land between the mountains and the sea !
Write Barbara@boutiquehotelitaly.com for help and tips!