Cinque Terre, a paradise in Liguria

The Cinque Terre certainly stand out among the most beautiful attractions of Liguria. Located in the Riviera di Levante, precisely in the province of La Spezia, they are included among the UNESCO protected assets. The area corresponds to eight square kilometers and about eighteen kilometers of coastline. The etymology of the place derives from the five fishing villages that dot the area, namely Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Monterosso and Bernazza. The beauty does not lie only in the houses with soft, rich, sometimes pastel colors, nor does it reside exclusively in the still medieval architecture; it is the sum between artificial and natural, between the ancient flavor of the cities and their location on the promontories overlooking the sea. It seems that the houses want to dive into the crystal clear water. At sunset the lights of the houses reflect on the sea, sparkling multiplied. One way to fully appreciate this location is to take the 'Green Blue Trail', a hiking trail that goes through all the villages and crosses the entire Cinque Terre National Park. Halfway up the coast, each village has its own sanctuary, suspended between the sea and the sky. These magical places, isolated in the Mediterranean scrub, can all be reached through the path known as 'via dei Santuari'. The villages are to be breathed and lived, among wonderful alleys and scents that come from the harsh and uncontaminated nature. If you decide to stop in one of the towns, you can happily linger to taste the simple local products. It dominates the sea (sea bream, anchovies, squid, sea bass, cuttlefish and squid) with little elaborate preparations that enhance the authenticity of the products: it is baked, grilled and fried food. The wine to try is the Cinque Terre Sciacchetrà, a passito DOC with a golden yellow color and a sweet and pleasant taste.