Cinque Terre consists of five villages, wedged into the mountainous countryside of Liguria, not far west of La Spezia. The five towns are car-free and the only way to get there is by a pathway that runs through a beautiful, scenic area of olva groves and vineyards. The villages are also connected by a railway.

• The northernmost of the five villages of Cinque Terre is Monterosso al Mare. There are huge statues carved in the rocks overlooking the town and its nice beach.

• Going southwards you will come to the villages of Vernazza, a nice place with a promenade and piazza on the seafront.

• Corniglia is further south along the coast. It sits high on the hillside and can only be reached by climbing a seemingly endless amount of steps.

• The most picturesque of the villages is Manarola.

• Riomaggiore is the southernmost of the Cinque Terre villages. It is a fishing town overlooking a small cove.

Cinque Terre National Park encompasses the 5 villages and the surrounding hills. The park is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Accommodation can be arranged in any of the towns, but most people prefer to stay in nearby La Spezia that has better facilities.

Monterosso al Mare ©Tim Wildsmith

Vernazza ©Noah Mayer

Corniglia ©Gabriel Tovar

Manarola ©Jenny Whitney

Riomaggiore ©Ilya Orehov