Cinque Terra -- is a national park and protected marine environment that contains the 5 coastal villages of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. The steep hills in this region are tiered and produce good white wines. You can get between the villages by foot, train, or boat. We tried all three and found the paths and boat rides picturesque, while the trains were the best for getting around.

We spent three nights at an apartment we rented in Riomaggiore. The apartment is owned by Mar Mar; they rent several apartment in the area as well as operate a bed-and-breakfast. The Mar Mar people were friendly and very helpful. The national park operates a room finding service that is probably the best way to find a place to stay. There is also a consortium that provides some good information. The other option is to just show up in the towns and ask around for a place to stay. Given the large number of services this seems like a reasonable option if you arrive early in the day. In order of preference we would suggest staying in Manarola, Riomaggiore, Vernazza, Monterosso al Mare, and finally Corniglia.
Click here to see the view from our apartment window.
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