The moment my then boyfriend (now husband) began planning our Italian adventure of 2010, I did what any anticipatory traveller would do. I went down to the bookstore and well, bought a book! As great as the internet is for all kinds of research, there is just something about having a physical piece of literature, with tangible pages to leaf through. Although our itinerary was amazing, and we had the time of our lives travelling from Rome to Florence to Venice, I couldn't help but peek back to page 374 (or something like that) of my Fodor's: Essential Italy, and stare at the wonderfully color punched city of Cinque Terre, IT.
Situated on the Italian Riviera, the city of Cinque Terre is composed of five villages known as Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. Visually striking, with a familiarity of equal parts Santorini cliffs and rustic gondola filled Venice, this city of five slopes down a cliff almost plunging into the Mediterranean. And although it is said to be a tourist destination of sorts, it seems to me that it is quite overlooked beyond the "staple" towns to visit. Most people I have spoken with have never even heard of it. Perhaps because it's main attraction isn't a monument erected in 1752 by this conqueror or that warrior, nor is it this museum or that cathedral. But in fact, it's main attraction is simply it's beautiful landscape.
I can't wait to go back to Italy one day and further explore these parts unknown! (Totally not referencing Anthony Bourdain or anything...).
