Cinque Terre: Five Lands of Beauty

Along the Italian Riviera lie the villages of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Coniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore, known collectively as Cinque Terre, or “five lands.” This yacht charter escape draws an amazing number of visitors who revel in the houses that seem to cling to the mountainside as it rises from the deep blue Mediterranean waters. Since you cannot access the area by car (only by train or boat), it is a secluded charter escape.

The entire coastline, towns, and surrounding hills are part of the Cinque Terre National Park and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The beauty of this area is unmatched as you approach the Five Lands from the sea and first spy the colorful buildings dotting the seascape as brilliant as leaves in the autumn.

Enjoy the trails that take you through the villages to the best sights and most stunning views. The Light Blue Trail (or Sentiero Azzurro) is a walking trail that connects all five villages to one another. You can choose to only walk the gently sloping areas or choose the challenge of the steeper portions. Some areas are even wheelchair accessible. The trail from Vernazza to Monterosso takes you through winding turns surrounded by fragrant grapevines and pretty olive orchards as well as offers the most spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea.