The Cinque Terre is located in Liguria, one of Italy's 21 regions.
Liguria is a narrow coastal region that stretches from France to Tuscany. This region is characterized by pastel colored houses, brightly colored fishing boats, rocky coastlines, and villages that cling to the steep cliffs. Genoa, Italy's most important commercial port, is the largest city in Liguria. The A10 highway, becoming the A12 at Genoa, and the mainline railroad follow the coastline from the French border to Tuscany.

The Cinque Terre is actually five small fishing villages along a protected stretch of rocky coastline. From north to south they are Monterosso al Mare,
Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. An ancient footpath, the Sentiero Azzurro, joins these five villages and offers spectacular views of the sea, these coastal villages, and terraced vineyards. Manarola and Riomaggiore are link by the famous Via dell'Amore. The towns are so close together that it's possible to visit all five in one day.

As in all of Italy, dining in Liguria is a pleasure. Some local specialties include fresh fish dishes and trofie al pesto, handmade pasta with a sauce made from ground pinenuts, olive oil, and cheese. Be sure to sample Sciacchetra, the locally produced white dessert wine and enjoy focaccia di Recco, a thin, soft cheese version of focaccia that originated in the village of Recco.