The Cinque Terre is a series of hiking trails that surrounds tiny fishing villages found in the Southern portion of the Italian Riviera. If you want to relax and take a break from Italy’s culture fiasco of art museums, churches and other ancient ruins, let this place be an alternative. You can splash in the sea or sunbathe under the sun. You can sip wine that overlooks the harbor and fishing boats. The five fishing villages that constitute Cinque Terre include: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare.
Unfortunately the area had to be closed because of the flood. In the 25th of October, 2011, the region was devastated by flash floods particularly Monterosso and Vernazza. Some parts of the hiking trails that link villages to each other were washed out. Due to the effort of the government, the main path will open during the Easter of 2012.
The opening was a huge success due to the help of the residents. They had gathered the mud and other debris that was swept due to the flood. There are also several businesses that got back to their feet. The Cinque Terre offers great chances for vacation. You will get to slow down and enjoy the charms of the region once there. You can also sip wine and get the taste of their authentic dishes. Don’t forget are also ancient goat paths that are found along the way.
The section of the trail that links each town together is not the long one. It ranges from 1 km to 4km. The more you move north, the roads become hard and steep. At one go, it would take you about seven hours to pass through them all. There are some people who take a break and continue the hike the next day. If you are planning to take a hike on Cirque Terre, there are some tips that you need to consider. One is to plan your time. There are some people that take two days to finish the whole thing as they stroll and stop for lunches.
They would also spend the time splashing in the beach along the way. You can also enjoy a long dinner that will give you a view of the sea. There are tours that would take half day to finish but it is comprehensive the one that would let you interact with the villages. There are some paths that would charge you to pass by the trails. You can purchase just one pass for the day and it is called the cinque terre card. It is easy to get to the site with it. All you need to do is ride the local train station. Finally, be prepared to encounter huge crowds in the stations.
 By Alba V
Photo 1: nobbiwan, Photo 2 : Morten Hoff, Photo 3: Paperucchio, Photo 4: gigglesyee, Photo 5: jfulkers, Photo 6: Comrogues
