The Cinque Terre, which means “five lands,” is part of the Italian Riviera and is made up of the villages of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Coniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. The area is a rugged mountainside that drops into the blue of the Mediterranean Sea. It almost seems uninhabitable. Yet, centuries ago, the native people began building beautiful terraces that cling to the cliff, like a baby to its mother. They belong there and fit in the surrounding hillside as if they were meant to be there all along.
Because of the location of these five villages, it is impossible to reach them by car. Trains coming in from Milan, Rome, Turin, and Tuscany offer glimpses of the beautiful sea as they emerge from underground before returning once again to the darkened tunnels that connect the Cinque Terre to the rest of Italy. Local trains also provide a means of traveling between the cities. However, the best means of transportation in this seaside area is by boat. The ferries that carry tourists back and forth between towns are often overcrowded. Cinque Terre yacht charters are an ideal way to reach the secluded region and travel between populated areas.
Cinque Terre
When approaching the Five Lands on a yacht charter from the Mediterranean, you will truly appreciate the beauty of the area. Even in the summer months, the colors of the homes, inns, and bed and breakfasts resemble fall leaves on a hillside. The coastline, towns, and surrounding hills belong to the Cinque Terre National Park and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The inns, bed and breakfasts, and apartments that provide tourists with lodging are quickly filled during busy seasons and are sometimes inadequate for a discriminating visitor’s needs. Cinque Terre yacht charters, however, provide you with more than just a room to sleep. You can enjoy the length of the yacht – from the staterooms below to the main salon and dining area, to the airy sky lounge – not to mention the surrounding waters for playing with water toys like jet skis and kayaks.
A Cinque Terre yacht charter will provide you with the opportunity to unpack your luggage before you even reach the harbor. While others are lugging their bags up the steep slopes and over the uneven stone roads, you will already be enjoying your vacation.
While on land, be sure to enjoy the Sentiero Azzurro, or “Light Blue Trail.” This walking trail connects all five villages. Sometimes allowing a casual stroll and sometimes a vigorous hike, the route offers something for everyone and is even wheelchair accessible in some locations. Some of the easier walks require a fee and are more crowded, but the most rewarding trails are both steep and free. Check out the trail from Vernazza to Monterosso, which winds through grapevines and olive orchards, to view the most spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea as well as both villages.
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