Italy is so fascinating that a few words are inadequate to describe the many wonderful experiences a visitor can have. Upon arrival you quickly realize that a lifetime of visits will only allow you to skim the surface of Italy's sights. Rather than show you photos of Italy's world famous cities and landmarks, I'd like to show you a little known area that Sue and I really enjoyed. It is called "Cinque Terre." Cinque Terre ("Five 'Lands'") consists of 5 ancient villages that cling precariously to steep cliffs on Italy's north western Ligurian coast. They are south of Genoa and north of La Spezia. The villages are connected by trains running once or twice an hour between Genoa and La Spezia. The tracks go in an out of several tunnels only emerging briefly at each village. The villages are also connected by a footpath which offers breathtaking views. Motor boats run between the villages frequently all day long and the view from the water is also spectacular.

This is a view of Monterosso. This is the largest town of the 5 and has a large selection of places to dine, shop sleep. The railroad bridge is in the foreground and the tracks enter a tunnel on the far right. The photo above shows one of the inter-village motor boats.

The next village south is Vernazza. This view from the footpath shows Monterosso in the distance.

South of Vernazza is Corniglia to the right of the footpath where Sue is standing. In the distance is Manarola.

South of Manarola is the lovely medieval village of Riomaggiore. The city of La Spezia is only a few minutes by train south of here.