Cinque Terre.
In this corner of Liguria, the hills are blanketed with vineyards and reflect a deep, clear sea. Exquisite grapes grow here in small strips of land enclosed in the typical terraced plots that contain the mountainside.

There are numerous attractions offered by the craggy terrain in Cinque Terre, which has been tamed only in sections by people working arid and impracticable land. Still today, the local farmers lower themselves along the rocks, suspended from sturdy ropes, to gather the clusters of grapes. The visitor reaps the benefits of their efforts and courage, sampling the prized wines that come to the table alongside traditional flavors and abundant fresh fish.

The five fishing villages clinging to the rocks or facing tiny bays can be explored along trails immersed in the undergrowth. Behind them, an equal number of places of worship, one for each town, can be reached along the via dei Santuari (Road of the Sanctuaries).

The seafaring atmosphere of Cinque Terre is also found in the nearby coastal towns of Levanto and Porto Venere. More lively and trendy, the beauty of their vistas and historic buildings wins over all visitors.