Cinque Terre

Five tiny towns (the "five lands") nestled in the mountains along the Italian Riviera are now protected as an Italian National Park. Although the towns are minutes apart by train, they evolved distinct dialects and customs as they grew up separated by the rugged terrain. Today they're joined by a hiking trail and a boat service as well as the train. These towns are cherished for the slow pace and relaxed feeling they bring to visitors.

We rode the train from Santa Margherita and got off at Monterosso, the northernmost town in the Cinque Terre. The water is the Golfo di Genova, opening out to the Ligurian Sea.

Rock and water and lush greenery make the whole area a breathtaking sight.

Monterosso is bustling with construction, but that doesn't detract from the pleasures of an al fresco lunch.

Leaving Monterosso on our boat trip to the other towns.

Easy to see how the towns developed a unique character, with terrain this rugged separating them.

Grottos penetrate the cliffs at sea level.

Gorgeous Vernazza is smaller than Monterosso, and has a rugged natural pier.

The terraces are planted in grapes, naturally. Wine before vegetables.

The village of Corniglia is even more vertical than the other towns in the five lands.

Manarola is known for their white wines. The terraced vineyards cover this mountainside above the town.

Riomaggiore was the end of our boat trip.

The pilot had a nice touch, to hold our boat against the dock with his throttle and wheel.

Lots of history stacked up in these apartments tucked into the steep mountainside.

Nearly empty in off season, this must be a busy place when the Italian vacation time rolls around.

This amazing mosaic decorated the tunnel leading to the railway station.

Another section of the tunnel mosaic. We almost missed our train because we couldn't tear ourselves away.