5 Terre

Vernazza The small port of Vernazza - the only safe dock on the Cinque Terre coast - guards what is perhaps the most picturesque and steepest of the five villages. A cobblestone main street Via Roma, lined with small cafes and bars, connects the seaside Piazza Marconi to the train station, one of the most beautiful villages in all of Italy. To the side of the village there is also a small beach. The village with its peninsula, fascinating harbor, colorful houses and characteristic castle towers one of the most beautiful sights in the National Park. The Vernazzans originally lived from olive and wine growing on the terraced hills and later also from fishing. Vernazza was accessible only by the Cinque Terre trail or by sea. Today there is a train station "Stazione Vernazza" and a winding road connection.

Continue to Gorniglia Corniglia the only place in the Cinque Terre that is not directly on the sea, but on a rock 100 m above the water level. Nowhere in the other villages can you enjoy such a view over the sea. In Corniglia there are a few bars, restaurants, few private accommodations and few tourists. If you are looking for peace and quiet, this is the place to be.

Just around the corner Riomaggiore comes into view Riomaggiore, the easternmost village of the Cinque Terre,it is also the largest of the five villages and is billed as the unofficial headquarters of the region. PIP3:Looking back we see the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Montenero on the hill it is 340 meters above sea level and offers a magnificent view of the Cinque Terre. After several restorations, the sanctuary acquired its current form around 1800. Although it can be reached only by a hiking trail, this ancient monastery attracts visitors from all over the world.

Now we are on a boat and sail along the coast to see from below what we have seen from above. PIP1: A holiday tower in the middle of the vineyards and olive groves. PIP2: Monesteroli, a small abandoned village, a fascinating place which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Cinque Terre and Islands. The1200 steps hike leads directly to the sea with breathtaking views wherever you look, steps, terraces with vineyards and cellars created by hand by tenacious people who knew how to shape wild nature, turning the descent (and ascent!) into a natural garden overlooking the sea. This excursion is only suitable for trained people who still trust their knees.

Today the boat trip along the 5 Terre begins, which promises unique insights. PIP1: La Chiesa di San Pietro The church of San Pietro, is not only famous for its ancient architecture, but also for its special scenic value: the church, situated above the sea ,consists of two connected buildings: one in the new Gothic style, the other in the older Romanesque style. Its bold engineering and structure, as well as its sculptural elegance, make it one of the most exemplary Genoese Gothic buildings in Liguria. PIP2+3: Castello Doria The fortress has an almost regular pentagonal plan, with the southern bastion projecting into the sea . The north Wall of the castello appears to be equipped with the passages the watchtowers and embrasures for a conventional defence.

On the way in Porto Venere View of the harbour, where a ship of the Vigili del Fuogo is currently anchored. PIP2: The monument to the fallen at sea is located in the port of Porto Venere. The monument is intended to commemorate all military and civilian victims of the sea in times of peace and war. PIP3 and 4 we explore the alleys of Porto Venere

HWW with, a defensive wall A defensive wall is a fortification used to protect a town, village or other settlement from attackers. Walls can range from simple palisades or earthen ramparts to military fortifications with towers, bastions and gates for access to the obiect. From ancient to modern times, they were used to enclose settlements.

In the bay between Porto Venere and the island of Palmira, a very special trade has survived. Muscle farmers Muscles, not mussels, not clams or mussels, but muscles are cultivated here in the sea of Portovenere and in the bay of the splendid island of Palmaria. A centuries-old activity handed down from father to son, using ancient methods that make it possible to obtain a special product.

After a train and bus ride we reach Portro Venere Porto Venere has probably been inhabited since the middle of the 1st century B.C. Since 1113 Porto Venere has been owned by the Republic of Genoa. In 1396 Genoa, and with it Porto Venere, came under French rule under Charles VI. Today's town is a popular tourist destination, with a special attraction being the "Palazzata a Mare", the colorful front of houses. It is a famous photo motif and can be seen from far away. PIP1: View over the harbor to the city gate tower a part of the fortifications of the city and the "Palazzata a Mare". PIP2: An impression of the enormous fortifications of the city with the Statdtor tower and the church San Lorenzo a three-nave church in Romanesque style, the facade is built alternately with black and white stone. In the church are kept valuable works of art, a legendary trunk of a cedar from Lebanon .

Now we have hiked the 5Terre from La Spezia to Levanto - an eventful journey lies behind us, so this sunset comes just at the right time:-) and the words of Sanober Khan are also fitting: I find it incredibly amazing how the sky has a different hue every time the sun sets. No cloud is ever in the same place. Every day is a new masterpiece. A new miracle. A new memory.

Just around the corner, the trees and bushes give way to our destination, Levanto al Mare. PIP:1 Magnificent villas line the way. A comfortable weekend or summer holiday in Italy would be well spent in this villa. The Italian coast along the Ligurian Sea has a lot to offer. PIP2: Levanto is considered the northern gateway to the Cinque Terre, the last small town before the National Park. Levanto has spread out around a small sheltered bay, since the Cinque Terre became a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town and tourism have developed very well. Compared to most of the villages in the Cinque Terre, Levanto has one big advantage: a beach that stretches the entire length of the bay.

Back on the heights we pass a former water reservoir , which was used to irrigate the olive trees and vines below. PIP1: Firethorn Firethorns are evergreen shrubs they belong to the rose family in the pome fruit subgroup. Since the plants belong to the pome fruit family, the fruits look like small apples. The apple fruits, which ripen in the fall, are yellow, red or orange in color. The species of the genus Firethorn occur from southeastern Europe to southeast Asia. PIP2: Our destination is not yet visible from this point, but the view is excellent even here

A very steep descent to sea level lies ahead. PIP1: The reward is then a fabulous b bathing place for us alone :-) PIP2: But now the effort lies ahead of us again - we have to fight our way up to the top :-)

We continue on more or less bumpy paths through rich vegetation. PIP1: We enjoy these magnificent views again and again. PIP2: This view into the depths was only recommended for hikers who are free from giddiness, the view down here is magnificent.

We encountered many different plant species on this trail: Sage Sage (Salvia) is a genus of plants in the labiates family. It is distributed almost worldwide on all continents except Antarctica and Australia. With 850 to over 900 species, it is about the twentieth most species-rich of the angiosperm genera Many species have been used as medicinal plants since ancient times, including the common sage (Salvia officinalis), which is important for cooking and medicine, and the meadow sage (Salvia pratensis). Varieties of some species are used as ornamental plants. PIP1: The broom heather , also called heather, is the only species of the monotypic plant genus Calluna, which belongs to the heather family. It is a characteristic plant species of the heath landscape and can be used to make brooms. PIP3: Wood Lady's Fern The wood lady's fern, also known as the common wood lady's fern, is a fern species that is widespread in Central Europe. The forest lady fern occurs in the temperate latitudes to the subtropics of the northern hemisphere as well as in Central and South America, although it is not certain whether the southern forms are distinct species. PIP4: Broom heather Broomheather , also called heather, is the only species of the monotypic plant genus Calluna, which belongs to the heather family. It is a characteristic plant species of heathland. It is naturally distributed throughout Europe, with a focus on Central and Northern Europe; in the East it occurs as far as Western Siberia.

On partly very beautiful but also very warm stretches of road towards Levanto. PIP1: One or two steep and rough climbs are also to overcome. PIP2: Once you have overcome these obstacles, there are still some trees that lie across :-)

Over hill and dale, through gorse, pine trees and a lot more greenery, we reach the culmination point and are rewarded with a magnificent view. The third PIP overlooks the entire 5 Terre coastline.