Welcome to Cinque Terre baby!
This is the place where no one can properly pronounce the name of(no matter how hard we try-at least for me). But this place actually had me speechless,100% lost for words, it truely was a 'pinch me' moment. No matter how many nights your here for, it will never be enough!
The landscape and coastline will have you in absolute awe, the pastel buildings- amazing, sunsets-just brilliant, the people- without a doubt the friendliest, the ocean-invitingly crystal clear and the seafood-most desired! To me this place is heaven and now currently my favourite place in the world,and I haven't even seen half of Europe yet!
I met a fellow traveller who has followed me from each stop of Italy. He asked me one question which left me quite reflective. When asked, "Where is home?" I was confused as to whether the answer was a person, place or a country. However Cinque Terre felt like home to me, or definitely where I wish I lived. It was comfort, excitement, adventure but even more cloudless blue skies, bright colours, translucent warm waters and my most favourite happy locals there to offer a helping hand, recommendation or compliment as seen in Exhibit A, as follows.
Bottle of wine and cheese & crackers I set myself with a perfect view of the sunset. I sat there approached by a young man and minutes later found myself on a boat soaking up the view from the middle of the sea and waving goodbye to another beauty of a day. Including A quick swim through caves until frantically rushing to the shuttle awaiting me.
Shoutout to the team at Ostello Tramonti you guys are the friendliest most helpful staff I have come across, you guys are just as amazing as the breakfast!
Top tips for the 5 Terre's
1. I found it best to start at the furthest Terre - Monterosso(coming in a close second to my favourite Vernazza) and work your way back to Riomaggiore either by train or hiking
2. Purchase a Cinque Terre card, it is essential for your stay! It will cost you 16€ for unlimited train rides between towns and wifi at the stations, covers the cost of hikes and you can jump on their little tour busses scattered around.
3. In Cinque Terre the local wine is brilliant and pesto pasta is the dish of this region. Either that or pounce on the fresh seafood
4. If your a thrill seeker definitely hit up the cliff/rock jumps. They are pretty much everywhere and it's free of charge entertainment! Vernezza and Manerola had some hectic ones!!
