TopTen Recommendations for Cinque Terre
- Best time to travel in Cinque Terre is the shoulder seasons of fall or spring for better weather, fewer tourists, and better prices.
- If you don’t speak Italian, you probably will never pronounce Cinque Terre correctly. Just give it up now! Even the videos telling you how to pronounce it do it differently. I have been corrected pretty much every time I’ve ever said those two words by Italians and non-Italians. My best advice–talk like you’re in a pizza commercial holding your fingertips together and gesturing when you say, “Ching Kwa Tearr´ Ray. This video from Mark Wetzler is a hilarious rendition of pronouncing Cinque Terre.
- We opted for the train to travel from town to town. I like to think that one day I’ll take the connecting walking trails, albeit, maybe not all in one day. Another alternative is the water taxi something we’d definitely do next time. The evening sunset boat tour looks fabulous, but it was canceled each night we were there because of weather conditions,
- When we return (notice I said when), we’ll stay in Vernazza. Why? We didn’t explore Vernazza because it seemed the most crowded while we were there. However, I was told the crowds disappear by the afternoon and the light along the coast is spectacular.
Vernazza, Italy
- What to read when in Cinque Terre: Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter is a tour de force that time hops from 1962 to present day. One of its locales is Cinque Terre but the author invents the imaginary town of Porto Vergogna. Even though the town is fiction, the descriptions will lure you to Cinque Terre. Beyond the descriptions, the novel is unpredictable yet believable. Hilarious for its satirical look at Hollywood and fame, 1962 coincides with the filming of Cleopatra in Rome and Richard Burton is a character in the novel. I bookmarked several passages for its genius in characterization and its descriptions of Cinque Terre.
- Speaking of local specialties–Liguria is the birthplace of pesto! What? It was born here? Pesto’s primary ingredient is basil. Cinque Terre has its own variety of basil sometimes called “green gold”. Basically, eating their pesto is a religious experience.
- “It really is a sight to behold mountains that are not merely steep but are veritable crags over which birds can hardly fly.” found on a Manarola sign
- What to pack? For early June, the weather was variable. Layers is always a good idea.
- A notable goal: Eat one night in each village with a view of the sunset. Because of the curvy coastline, the views will vary tremendously and the light will magically fracture into rainbow colors.
- Local wines are so local! We ordered a Buranco Syrah from the Belvedere Restaurant, and we had passed the winery while walking to the restaurant. Also the local wines are infinitely cheaper. This was only 30 euros and supremely yummy!
Syrah from Buranco