Cinque Terre, Italy

Cinque Terre!

Why should somone go there?

It is a beautiful place in Italy where 5 cities with diffrent characteristics and diffrent styles are connected all by a train ride. (or you can walk through each city)

When is the best time to go?

Early June, late august, or early spetember. The reason is because it is not to hot but it is hot enough to get in the beautiful waters and jump off the high cliffs into the ocean. Also because the tourism is not as bad and it is an enjoyable temperature to walk around and visit the beautiful city and eat a lot of icecream (gelato).

What is there to do?

QUARTER FINALIST 2013 FTF TEEN TRAVEL WRITING

SCHOLARSHIP

First city, Monterosso

In the first city ( Monterosso) there is a walk on beach with mostly sand and a little bit of rocks here and there. The water is not as clean because there is sand but it is still nontheless beautiful. The best hotel in this first city is Hotel Villa Steno the owners and staff are very welcoming but in any hotel they are welcoming and most if not all the rooms have balconies. For a romantic stay in city one the best hotel to chose would be Hotel Porto Roca. All the restaurants are amazing with fresh food but you must be patient because in Italy the service will be slow. Dinner in Europe is a social event time to talk, spend time with family, and just relax so do not be in a hurry. ristoranteRiky is a good for lunch and late night dinners, amazing food especially sea food, but it cost some money.  La cantina del pescatore instead is a grab and go mostly amazing sandwhiches and granitas (slushies) and exquist pastries. One of the sites one must see is torre aurora, this tower seperates the old Monteroso to the new Monterosso. Outside of that just lay on the beach relax or go take a walk; train ride, to the next city.

Second City, Vernazza

The second city is known for being the only proper harbor in cinque terre. Eventhough there are beaches in this city, sight seeing is the major thing to do in this city. Some of the best places to sight see are the 16th centery Belforte towers, the 11th centure Doria castle and the 14th century Santa Margherita d’antiocchia. To stay the night the best ranked hotel/inn is the Maria Cappellini Rooms. The rooms are right next to the harbor and it is very cozy and still in the city. Another great place to relax and stay is in La Marina Rooms, very clean cozy, comforting and amazing views. One of the best restaurants in this city is Belforte it has amazing seafood and pasta. Its location is in a tower/fort with a beautiful view. The cost for the food is about $35-$40. After a beautiful stay in Vernazza why not go visit the third city, Corniglia.

Third City, Corniglia

One of the best hotels to stay at in the third city is the bed & Breakfast Casa vacanze il Gatto. It has amazing service, beautiful view, and is very clean. Corniglia is the smallest city out of the five cities, so it is nice to end your day with a nice relaxing quiet time without a lot of comotion. Corniglia is known for its gelato and cuisins or quick and easy lunches. Some good Dessert and icecream shops are Alberto Gelateria or un Mare di Yogurt. La posada is one of the best restaurants in Corniglia. It has good seafood not the best and the staff is friendly, the restaurant is a bit rushed. It is recomended to go to another city for late night formal dinners.San Pietro is the religious site that is recomended to go see in Cornigila, it is a gothic church that was made in 1334 and is beautiful. Scalinata Lardarina is a 365 steps up the hill from the base of Cornigila. The view at the top is amazing and it is totally worth the 365 steps up and down.

Fourth City, Manarola

The hotel that is recomended in this city is Marina Piccola. The hotel is clean, there are steps to go up the floors but the view is incredible and the staff is very friendly. There is also a restaurant in this hotel that has amazing food. Manarola has amazing icecream shops, the church of San Lorenzo and a wine shop where you can go up in the vineyards. It is a very beautiful little city to walk around and tour the little shops. Some of the best seafood is served at Trattoria Dal Billy, the prices are a little high depending on what you order but it is totally worth the quality of the food. Another good restaurant in Manarola is Trattoria Locanda Il Porticciolo this restaurant has amazing lobster and ravioli.

Fifth City, Riomaggiore

La Scogliera is the best hotel to stay at in the fifth City. The seais right next to the hotel and you can hear the waves and smell the sea. There is also really good food there. A pie’ de Ma’ is a good sit down and drink place but not to sit down and eat at a restaurant. The staff is friendly and it has amazing drinks. Enoteca Dau Cila is the best sit down restaurant in the fifth city. There is a wonderful view overlooking the marina and the food is amazing. Good service and highly recomended. The water is beautiful and there are boat tours and Trails to walk on in Riomaggiore. It is recommended to go site seeing.