Summary:
The Cinque Terre is home to some of the most spectacular coastline in Italy. Consisting of five fishing villages it is now a protected national park and also a home to whales and dophins which can be spotted in the clear waters of the Ligurian sea.

Details or Sample:
Think of Italy and many places spring immediately to mind. Rome, Venice and Florence to name but a few. Yet perhaps one of the most beautiful parts of the country is also one of the most overlooked. The Cinque Terre only became recognised as a national park in 1999 yet is home to 18 kilometres of truly spectacular coastline. Perhaps best of all, is that if you look closely enough you might just spot whales and dolphins in the crystal clear waters of the Ligurian sea.

The Cinque Terre (translated literally as five lands) National Park consists of five fishing villages dotted along the coast between Punta Mesco and Capo Montenero. These towns are; Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manorola and Riomaggiore. The park’s unique landscape and wonderful marine resources have led to it becoming a UNESCO protected territory since 1997.

The park is a wonderful mix of steep rocky cliffs below which caves, secluded bays and beaches lie. On the hillsides vineyards and olive groves abound despite the, at times, sheer drop into the crystal clear seas below. The sea is home to a rich and varied marine life, including many rare species of coral and sea fans which are fiercely protected. Perhaps most enticingly the sea is also an international sanctuary where dolphins have been found.

The easiest way to arrive at the Cinque Terre is by train or boat. It is not impossible to drive but access is difficult and it is far easier to use the reliable and efficient train service. The Cinque Terre is on the Ventimiglia-Genoa-Rome line and the service also stops at each of the five towns. So, even if you become tired after a long day’s walking you can rest easy in the knowledge you don’t have to walk all the way back, you can just hop on the train! In the summer months a regular boat service also runs between the villages allowing for a more leisurely version of sightseeing.

The best way to see the Cinque Terre has to be on foot. There are many maps available from the tourist information office that offer a variety of routes along the coastal paths. It is generally acknowledged that to hike from the first village to the fifth takes around five hours. There are however plenty of other routes varying in length and difficulty depending on how much time and perhaps more importantly how much energy you have!

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Written by: Miss Clickers
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