On the way to Cinque Terre, Liguria, Italy.
Ancient villa near Pistoia (Tuscany, Italy)
On the way to Cinque Terre, Liguria, Italy.
On the way to Cinque Terre, Liguria, Italy.
On the way to Cinque Terre, Liguria, Italy.
On the way to Cinque Terre, Liguria, Italy.
Ancient villages dot the mountainside as we travel towards Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italy.
Ancient villages dot the mountainside as we travel towards Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italy.
Ancient villages dot the mountainside as we travel towards Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italy.
The deep blue Ligurian Sea, northeast corner of the Mediterranean Sea.
The deep blue Ligurian Sea
The deep blue Ligurian Sea
The deep blue Ligurian Sea
The extensive network of walking trails connecting the five villages of Cinque Terre (Five lands) pass through olive groves and terraced vineyards, with sweeping views of the vast expanse of the Mediterranean below.
The extensive network of walking trails connecting the five villages of Cinque Terre (Five lands) pass through olive groves and terraced vineyards, with sweeping views of the vast expanse of the Mediterranean below.
The extensive network of walking trails connecting the five villages of Cinque Terre (Five lands) pass through olive groves and terraced vineyards, with sweeping views of the vast expanse of the Mediterranean below.
The extensive network of walking trails connecting the five villages of Cinque Terre (Five lands) pass through olive groves and terraced vineyards, with sweeping views of the vast expanse of the Mediterranean below.
The extensive network of walking trails connecting the five villages of Cinque Terre (Five lands) pass through olive groves and terraced vineyards, with sweeping views of the vast expanse of the Mediterranean below.
The extensive network of walking trails connecting the five villages of Cinque Terre (Five lands) pass through olive groves and terraced vineyards, with sweeping views of the vast expanse of the Mediterranean below.
The extensive network of walking trails connecting the five villages of Cinque Terre (Five lands) pass through olive groves and terraced vineyards, with sweeping views of the vast expanse of the Mediterranean below.
Arrival at our first of the five villages: Manarola.
Manarola is actually the second village of the Cinque Terre on the side of La Spezia. It is only 500 meters from the first village. The station is also separated from the town by a tunnel, now it is much more spacious and beautifully designed inside.
The Cinque Terre is in the Liguria region, and it translates to 'five lands'. The Cinque Terre is a series of five small fishing villages dug into the cliffs where the Apennine mountains meet the Mediterranean coastline.
The Cinque Terre (the Five Lands) is a very beautiful National Park in Italy attracting millions of tourists every year.
Old castles, walls and other ancient structures.
The Cinque Terre - Five very beautiful, vividly colored villages located on cliffs overlooking the sea.
Each village has retained its character and traditions from earlier times, impressively perched between the rocky shoreline and the steep terraced hills.
Each village has retained its character and traditions from earlier times, impressively perched between the rocky shoreline and the steep terraced hills.
Beautiful flowers adorn yards in the warm summer sun.
Each village has retained its character and traditions from earlier times, impressively perched between the rocky shoreline and the steep terraced hills.
Each village has retained its character and traditions from earlier times, impressively perched between the rocky shoreline and the steep terraced hills.
Each village has retained its character and traditions from earlier times, impressively perched between the rocky shoreline and the steep terraced hills.
Beautiful flowers adorn yards in the warm summer sun.
Manarola is actually the second village of the Cinque Terre on the side of La Spezia. It is only 500 meters from the first village. The station is also separated from the town by a tunnel, now it is much more spacious and beautifully designed inside.
David Soileau stops to tip a musician serenading the crowd in the tunnel leading to the train station. Manarola is actually the second village of the Cinque Terre on the side of La Spezia. It is only 500 meters from the first village. The station is also separated from the town by a tunnel, now it is much more spacious and beautifully designed inside.
Manarola is actually the second village of the Cinque Terre on the side of La Spezia. It is only 500 meters from the first village. The station is also separated from the town by a tunnel, now it is much more spacious and beautifully designed inside.
Trenitalia's Cinque Terre Express
Trenitalia's Cinque Terre Express
Waiting for the train to the next village.
David Soileau waiting for the next train to arrive.
The view from the train station.
A short, crowded train trip to Vernazza, our next stop.
A short, crowded train trip to Vernazza, our next stop.
Vernazza is considered by many as the most picturesque of the five villages that make up Cinque Terre, along the western coast of Italy.Â
Stop off and have a friendly chat with one of the 600 locals who call Vernazza home.
Stepping off the train in Vernazza, visitors are instantly dazzled with the collection of colorful buildings and accents that line the main street.
Stroll past shops filled with locally hand-crafted souvenirs, regional delicacies, and wine.
Church of St. Margaret of Antioch - The church was built in the XI-XII centuries; the exact date is unknown.
Church of St. Margaret of Antioch - The church was built in the XI-XII centuries; the exact date is unknown.
Stepping off the train in Vernazza, visitors are instantly dazzled with the collection of colorful buildings and accents that line the main street.
Stepping off the train in Vernazza, visitors are instantly dazzled with the collection of colorful buildings and accents that line the main street.
Church of St. Margaret of Antioch - The church was built in the XI-XII centuries; the exact date is unknown.
Church of St. Margaret of Antioch - The church was built in the XI-XII centuries; the exact date is unknown.
Every available space amongst the cliffs is terraced for vineyards and olive tree orchards.
Church of St. Margaret of Antioch - The church was built in the XI-XII centuries; the exact date is unknown.
Church of St. Margaret of Antioch - The church was built in the XI-XII centuries; the exact date is unknown.
Vineyards can be found throughout the hills of Cinque Terre producing a variety of wine.
Vernazza has a long history as a bustling fishing village, and to this day, a handful of fishermen still venture out into the sea to gather fresh fish for their families and the local restaurants.
Some of the locals taking advantage of the cool Mediterranean waters.
Some of the locals taking advantage of the cool Mediterranean waters.
Vernazza is considered by many as the most picturesque of the five villages that make up Cinque Terre, along the western coast of Italy.Â
Waiting for the ferry to dock.
Waiting to board the ferry to Monterroso.
Vernazza is considered by many as the most picturesque of the five villages that make up Cinque Terre, along the western coast of Italy.Â
On board the ferry to Monterroso, our guide takes a bit of a break.
David Soileau waiting for the ferry to depart.
Monterroso is the oldest and largest (pop. 1500) of the five villages of Cinque Terre.
Monterroso has the largest beach area of the five villages of Cinque Terre.
Monterroso has the largest beach area of the five villages of Cinque Terre.
Our ferry arrives at Monterroso after a short boat ride.
Monterosso is the biggest (about 1500 inhabitants) and the oldest of the Cinque Terre’s villages. It is divided into 2 parts: the old and the new village.
The largest of the Cinque Terre five villages (pop. 1500), the one with the longest and widest beaches and the only one where beaches are equipped with sun umbrellas, lounge chairs and showers.
Beach goers rinse off after a pleasant Monterosso afternoon.
Beach goers rinse off after a pleasant Monterosso afternoon.
Beach goers rinse off after a pleasant Monterosso afternoon.
Beach goers rinse off after a pleasant Monterosso afternoon.
Beautiful Bougainvillea thrives in the Monterosso climate.
Beautiful Bougainvillea thrives in the Monterosso climate.
Beautiful Bougainvillea thrives in the Monterosso climate.
Beautiful Bougainvillea thrives in the Monterosso climate.
Our group breaks for lunch.
Balcony with flowers and windows with green shutters
The green shutters are a nice balance to the bright colors that abound throughout the villages.
Green shutters add a sense of balance to the bright building colors in the region.
A quiet corner provides a moment of peace in the hustle and bustle of the day.
Balcony with flowers and windows with green shutters
La via dell'Amore or The Way of Love (Via de l'Amùu in the Ligurian language) is a pedestrian path overlooking the sea, with a length of just over one kilometer, linking the villages of Riomaggiore and Manarola, Cinque Terre, in Liguria (Italy).
La via dell'Amore or The Way of Love (Via de l'Amùu in the Ligurian language) is a pedestrian path overlooking the sea, with a length of just over one kilometer, linking the villages of Riomaggiore and Manarola, Cinque Terre, in Liguria (Italy).
La via dell'Amore or The Way of Love (Via de l'Amùu in the Ligurian language) is a pedestrian path overlooking the sea, with a length of just over one kilometer, linking the villages of Riomaggiore and Manarola, Cinque Terre, in Liguria (Italy).
Murals of the painter Silvio Benedetto in Riomaggiore, Italy
Murals of the painter Silvio Benedetto in Riomaggiore, Italy
Murals of the painter Silvio Benedetto in Riomaggiore, Italy
Murals of the painter Silvio Benedetto in Riomaggiore, Italy
Murals of the painter Silvio Benedetto in Riomaggiore, Italy
Produce market in Riomaggiore
Produce market in Riomaggiore
Fourth of July in Riomaggiore
A view of Riomaggiore's main street, Via Colombo, featuring restaurants, bars, shops and happy tourists.
Via Colombo, Riomaggiore
Street in Riomaggiore
Murals of the painter Silvio Benedetto in Riomaggiore, Italy
Murals of the painter Silvio Benedetto in Riomaggiore, Italy
Murals of the painter Silvio Benedetto in Riomaggiore, Italy
Notes from the artist, Silvio Benedetto
The welcome centers in Riomaggiore represent the first contact point between tourists and the Park. They receive visitors and give them the useful information for their stay in the Cinque Terre. Here they can buy the Cinque Terre Cards and the Cinque Terre Cards Treno (Train) in order to have access to all the paths and to use all the services of the Park.
The welcome centers in Riomaggiore represent the first contact point between tourists and the Park. They receive visitors and give them the useful information for their stay in the Cinque Terre. Here they can buy the Cinque Terre Cards and the Cinque Terre Cards Treno (Train) in order to have access to all the paths and to use all the services of the Park.
The welcome centers in Riomaggiore represent the first contact point between tourists and the Park. They receive visitors and give them the useful information for their stay in the Cinque Terre. Here they can buy the Cinque Terre Cards and the Cinque Terre Cards Treno (Train) in order to have access to all the paths and to use all the services of the Park.
Santa Maria Novella, abside
Santa Maria Novella, abside
Buying tickets for the train.
Arriving back in Florence: Santa Maria Novella is a church in Florence, Italy, situated opposite, and lending its name to, the city's main railway station. Chronologically, it is the first great basilica in Florence, and is the city's principal Dominican church.
Santa Maria Novella is a church in Florence, Italy, situated opposite, and lending its name to, the city's main railway station. Chronologically, it is the first great basilica in Florence, and is the city's principal Dominican church.
Santa Maria Novella is a church in Florence, Italy, situated opposite, and lending its name to, the city's main railway station. Chronologically, it is the first great basilica in Florence, and is the city's principal Dominican church.
Santa Maria Novella is a church in Florence, Italy, situated opposite, and lending its name to, the city's main railway station. Chronologically, it is the first great basilica in Florence, and is the city's principal Dominican church.
Santa Maria Novella is a church in Florence, Italy, situated opposite, and lending its name to, the city's main railway station. Chronologically, it is the first great basilica in Florence, and is the city's principal Dominican church.
