Cinque Terre, or "five lands", is a gathering of five charming, relatively remote fishing villages – Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore – connected by cliffs, painstakingly terraced vineyards and spectacular views of the turquoise sea.
The villages, coastline and hillsides comprise the Cinque Terre national park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It’s a destination for great views, walking and that great Italian pastime, eating. While Liguria is decidedly northern geographically, its climate and cooking are reminiscent of the Italian south.
The best-known regional specialty is pesto, invented by the Genoese to help their long-term sailors against scurvy.
Otherwise, fish dominates – not surprising in a region where most people live on the coast. Local skills as viticulture and fishing are thriving.