Cinque Terre - Lovely little villages in Italy

After a couple days in the elbow to elbow chaos of Venice, we took several hours of trains to arrive in Monterosso.  Monterosso is the largest of the 5 villages in the Cinque Terre.  Rick Steves made these little villages famous to the American tourist, and potentially the world, over 20 years ago.  Once again Rick Steves does not disappoint.  The Cinque Terre provides a mostly relaxing glimpse at village life in Italy, great seafood and homemade pastas at reasonable prices, and simple B&B accommodations.  Cinque Terre quickly became one of my favorite places to visit.  I wouldn't do Cinque Terre as a day trip from a bigger city.  I think you definitely would want to stay here for 2 to 5 days to just slow down and experience the villages at different times of day.

Lots of tourists in the small villages

We stayed at L'Antica Terrazza which had simple and clean rooms in what appeared to be like new refurbished condition even though it sounds like they remodeled several years ago.  The B&B is run by a friendly husband and wife team.  Although the room was on the smaller side, it had a great view down one of the three main village streets and there is a nice rooftop terrace you can use.  When I return to Cinque Terre, I hope I can find a room here again!  It couldn't have been more different from the normal urban or suburban setting I am used to.   

View from room balcony

The area is still recovering from floods in 2011.  The villages have rebuilt, but a couple of the shorter main hiking trails between villages are still closed down.  We did a couple hikes that were a decent 1.5 to 2.5 hour work out with picturesque views.  I was entertained to see so many hikers on the two trails doing dangerous things and not really in shape for such steep steps and trails.

Monterosso

Vernazza

Corneglia