| The Cinqueterre takes its name from five small | | | | One of the best ways to experience the Cinqueterre |
| villages - Corniglia, Manarola, Monterosso al Mare, | | | | is to hike the many trails that join them. All Riviera di |
| Riomaggiore and Vernazza - that defiantly cling to the | | | | Levante tourist offices can supply maps of the |
| inhospitably rugged Ligurian coastline. They are, and | | | | sentieri (paths), many of which have been marked by |
| have been for many centuries, practically inaccessible | | | | the Italian Alpine Club. Be sure to ask about the |
| by land due to the harsh, steep terrain which juts up | | | | current status of the trail you choose: they are |
| at their backs. The best way and only way to see | | | | constantly being closed for improvements. The most |
| them from sea is by private crewed yacht charter. | | | | famous is the Via del'Amore, which needs no |
| Each of the five towns are located high on the cliff | | | | translation. It departs from Riomaggiore, passing tidy |
| side at the end of a promontory. Just at the bottom | | | | vineyards, olive trees, fragrant herb bushes and |
| of the cliff below each town, a small harbor has been | | | | rocky outcrops for half an hour on its way to |
| created, just big enough for working fishing boats | | | | Manarola. The cactus-lined Via delle Agavi links |
| belonging to the local citizens, and yacht tenders. | | | | Monterosso al Mare with Vernazza. |
| Cruising south from Portofino on your crewed charter | | | | These are hiking trails however perched, sometimes |
| be sure to pass by the Cinqueterre, and take the | | | | precariously along the cliff side, that are best for sure |
| tender ashore and visit these little cliff side villages | | | | footed users as often there are no safety rails. |
| far away from the maddening crowds and virtually | | | | These cliff side trails are the age old method of |
| locked in time. | | | | access for these villages, for the locals, their |
| Each of the Cinqueterre towns or "five lands" has | | | | donkeys, dogs, sheep, goats, or whatever needed to |
| something different to offer. Monterosso has the | | | | move from one village to the other in the |
| most famous beach, a 16th-century Capucchin | | | | Cinqueterre. |
| monastery with some fine paintings, and an ancient | | | | As you cruise along this coast on your crewed |
| castle. There are great views of the other towns in | | | | charter, you can choose which towns to visit, or |
| Corniglia, along with a more secluded beach. | | | | perhaps choose to visit all of them. You can also |
| Vernazza, perhaps the most dramatic, juts straight | | | | choose whether you would like to hike between the |
| out over the water, with crashing waves below to | | | | villages, zip in the ship's tender between the villages |
| the left and a postage stamp boat harbor to the | | | | or stay aboard and cruise along viewing the |
| right. High above are the ramparts of a ruined | | | | panoramic scenery from the comfort of your yacht. |
| medieval tower. Riomaggiore is hopelessly | | | | Whichever way you choose, this is a unique location |
| picturesque, a beehive of crumbling pastel-colored | | | | accessed by sea only by private yachts and a slice |
| houses tumbling down to the horseshoe-shaped | | | | of Italian life that should be included in the itinerary of |
| dock, and great snorkeling. Manarola also has | | | | your private crewed charter along the Ligurian Coast |
| excellent swimming off the rocks. An authentic fishing | | | | of Italy. |
| village, it is probably the most genuine of the "lands." | | | | |