Translating as five lands, Cinque Terre, Italy covers five small villages along the coast which form part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visiting the towns of Monterosso, Corniglia, Manarola, Vernazza, and Riomaggiore the trail can be covered in the space of one day if you start early enough. However, to do this walk you do require buying a special pass costing 5 Euros which is bought at the train station in any of the villages. You can pay an extra 3 Euros to get a train pass but that destroys the best way to see this part of Italy.

Walking along this coastline shall allow you to experience some breathtaking scenery with your only expenses being the initial pass and any food or drink. The walk between Manarola and Riomaggiore is affectionately referred to as the Lovers Walk while other legs of the Cinque Terre walking trail take you through vineyards and olive orchards so there is always the possibility of you being able to sample some of the produce freshly made. Tours of vineyards with wine tasting can be a memorable experience.

With the stunning views and peaceful setting you could be excused for believing that accommodation would be expensive. However, there are a number of B&B’s and hostels in the area just perfect for the visitor to the area. Or alternatively you can take advantage of various campsites in the area with some next to the beach itself.

Entertainment at nights can be found in the bars and restaurants of the area with several having musicians playing at various times while you have a relaxing drink or a meal. Outside of this you can spend time swimming in the sea or sunbathing on the beaches in the area or you can go fishing on special expeditions. Do not expect a visit to this area to include a party atmosphere as instead it is all about the calmness and serenity of the area.

So your visit to the Cinque Terre area of Italy does not have to break the bank. Instead you can sample gorgeous food, walk along some amazing paths, be entertained and have a comfy bed for much less than you would imagine.

During my three week dedicated exploration of Italy, I found that in order to see the entire country, I would need much more time. As it was though, I only had three weeks which allowed me to experience the best of central Italy. My trip, which covered Rome, Florence, Venice, Vatican City, Naples, and Capri, was a great introduction to this beautiful country dripping in history and culture.

I landed in Rome and quickly departed to Naples where I took in Mt. Vesuvius. From there, I drove to Pompeii to view its well-preserved past where a local guide retraced history for me. From Pompeii, it was on to Sorrento to take in some sweeping views of the Bay of Naples. From Sorrento, I took a boat ride to the marina on the island of Capri. While in Capri, I had the chance to take a boat ride to view the Green and Blue Grottos. Also while in Capri, I was sure to leave time to shop in some of the island’s quaint and rather expensive shops found in the white-washed villages.

From there, it was on to the beautiful city of Florence. There were tons of things to see and do in this exciting city, and I was sure to see the Duomo, Basilica Santa Croce, and Giotto’s Bell Tower. Between the frescoes, markets, and priceless art, and walking along the River Arno the atmosphere of Florence was my favorite. From Florence, I moved on to Pisa where I took in the famous monument, the Leaning Tower.

After Pisa, it was off to Venice, the floating city. This city was packed with character, hidden lanes, and of course its famous network of canals. No trip to Venice is complete without a ride on a gondola. The ride took me through the city’s waters of the lagoon to its historical heart. The limestone Bridge of Sighs, the gothic arches of Doges’ Palace, and the expanse of St. Mark’s Square all showed off Venice’s unique beauty and way of life. I also had a chance to learn about the local artistry by taking part in a traditional glass blowing demonstration which has been famous in the city since the 13th century. Also while in Venice, I took a walking tour, where I discovered the labyrinth of interweaving lanes, waterways, palaces, piazzi, and markets.

Finally, from Venice it was back to Rome where I was able to soak in the metropolitan city. My favorite part about Rome was how the old and the new exist side-by-side. It overflows with relics from another age right beside office buildings and shopping malls. I loved the Coliseum, Trevi Fountain, and Spanish Steps. Also while in Rome, I spent a day in nearby Vatican City. I got to see St. Peter’s Basilica, and Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. After busily touring the whole of Italy, I relaxed in Rome for a few days, taking in the sights and sounds. I also was able to take advantage of the great night life, and spent a couple nights out on the town.