We took the train from La Spezia where our hotel is to Vernazza. The train was clean and the…read moreeasiest way to get from La Spezia to Cinque Terre. It was raining when we were there so the ferry wasn't an option with the choppy water. Vernazza is beautiful. I think it's my favorite of Cinque Terre. From the train station down to the harbor was a short walk with lots of touristy shops, restaurants, and gelato shops. The buildings are so colorful. Walk down to the harbor to look back at Vernazza to see all the colorful buildings lined up next to each other. It's a gorgeous sight.

Coming from Monterosso on the Blue Trail, this was the first town you come to. Vernazza had the…read moremost breathtaking aerial view with the small harbor and quintessential Italian seaside community feeling to it. We descended down into Vernazza, and I immediately adored its vibe. I loved the tiny stone streets packed with stores and restaurants on either side. There are plenty of places to eat and shop and lots to explore here. We were in for a long day hiking, so we just went and sat by the water in the harbor and watched the kids play and swim. It was picturesque. If we were to return to Cinque Terre, this would definitely be one of the towns to spend more time in.

You can reach the Castle of Riomaggiore by climbing the steep road from the railway station or up…read morethrough the Town from the boat dock. Next door is the pretty Oratory of San Rocco and both are worth the walk for the views and yet another history lesson. Work on this fortification began in 1260 and it was then passed on the City of Genoa in 1276. The castle has a square base with the longest sides overlooking the sea. The outer wall has two circular towers with the entrance located between them. A narrow external staircase leads up to the tower where there is a large clock. Over time the castle has been renovated and until few years ago it housed the town cemetery. The castle on a hill divides the two little valleys of Rio Maggire and Rio Finale and from here you get a stunning panoramic experience.

We climbed everything we physically could during our two days at Cinque Terre. The views are…read moreamazing. All are wonderful!

Monterosso has a medieval historical center which lies on the summit of the hill of San Cristoforo…read more You find the old town through the tunnel from the Train Station. The old town is made up of mainly pedestrian cobblestone streets with narrow crooked lanes lined with shops and restaurants and the brightly colored tower houses that you find in the other towns of the Cinque Terre. The other part of Monterosso is the residential district which spreads along the beach of Fegina. During the 12th and 13th centuries there was an increase in population and families began to move down the hill to be closer to a water supply which was a stream that is no longer there. The part of the village, known as Monterosso Vecchio or Old Monterosso has remained practically intact. In Medieval times, many fortifications were built in this village to protect it from pirate attacks. The remains of these can be found today in the old part of Monterosso, with 3 of the original 13 defense towers are still standing. Torre Aurora (Dawn Tower) separates the old part of the town from the new part and is found on a headland. The remains of the castle of Monterosso is found on the hill of San Cristoforo. Today you can see the remains of the walls, three circular towers and a square tower and these are part of the cemetery of the Church of St Francis. Gayle and I enjoyed the hike up here from Town to see for ourselves.

We took the train from La Spezia where our hotel is to Manarola. The train was clean and the…read moreeasiest way to get from La Spezia to Cinque Terre. It was raining when we were there so the ferry wasn't an option with the choppy water. Manarola is beautiful. The buildings are so colorful. The main street from the train station down to the harbor was a short walk with lots of touristy shops, restaurants, and gelato shops. Lots of little boats out in front of the shops along the path too. Walk down to the harbor to look back at Manarola to see all the colorful buildings lined up next to each other. Then take the path to the left and hike up to the top of that hill to take a look back at Manarola. It's not as colorful as Vernazza but just as beautiful.

This was the fourth coastal town on our hike of The Blue Trail coming from Monterosso. The hike…read morepart was not ideal since we weren't aware until we couldn't turn back that we were actually on a detour from the trail due to the main trail being closed for damages. This new one was exhausting, extremely long, and not great for a hot day and definitely not what we'd planned for. Due to this, I don't feel we gave Manarola justice. We walked through it quickly and found it to not have the views or the coastline of either Vernazza or Monterosso, so we hurried through to the station to finish our journey. In retrospect I wish we'd taken the train from Cornigila to Manarola so we could have had more time to enjoy walking down to the water, eating at the many great restaurants this town boasts, and exploring the town itself. I suppose it's only motivation to return in the future!

Monterosso is the most developed and spacious of the Cinque Terre towns, and you feel it the moment…read moreyou arrive. The beach here is wide and inviting, lined with rentable loungers and umbrellas that make it perfect for a full beach day -- something the steeper villages just can't offer. It still looks beautiful, but there's a more "bustling seaside resort" vibe compared to the others, which honestly gives it its own charm. Along the water you'll find a few striking historic spots, including a restaurant built inside what looks like an old maritime or defensive structure, plus the well-known St. Francis of Assisi statues watching calmly over the sea. If you head uphill, there's an old monastery (or possibly a convent -- either way, centuries of history live up there), and right nearby is an atmospheric ancient cemetery with some incredible ocean views. It's quiet, peaceful, and feels worlds away from the beach crowds below. Down in the center of town, Monterosso becomes lively again with a ton of shops, bars, and restaurants lined through its narrow streets. It's the best place in Cinque Terre if you want a mix of beach time, sightseeing, and easy access to food or drinks without hiking up or down anything too crazy. Monterosso may be the most industrialized of the five, but it's also one of the easiest and most comfortable to enjoy -- a great home base and a town that grows on you fast.

We stayed in Monterosso for two days while visiting the Cinque Terre and found it to be a beautiful…read morelittle town with tons of restaurants and everything any tourist could want. They're really isn't a bad view to be had. The boardwalk in the newer part of town has hotels, restaurants overlooking the ocean, and plenty of bagnos. The train station, parking lot, and the free beach are all right here. Through the tunnel takes you into the older part of town with tons of shops and lots more restaurants. We explored through here a bit while waiting on dinner reservations but I'm sure we could have spent a lot more time. After the old part of town there is a hill you can climb up to a hotel and restaurant that boasts an amazing view at night. Access to the Blue Trail also starts here for anyone hiking between towns.

Fabulous must visit part of Genoa. I am in love with this city and it's massive medieval centre…read morewhich is supposed to be the biggest in Europe. Via Garibaldi is an amazing street with lots of small palaces and amazing architecture surrounding it. I could spend days here photographing buildings and narrow lanes :-)))) I would recommend this as a must visit :-)