General Chat / I Just Went to the Most Amazing Place Ever Today

Greetings from Italy!

There's this place called Cinque Terra (literally translates to ''Five Land(s)''), and it is absolutely gorgeous. Imagine five small villages on the Northern Italian coast, bordering the azure-blue Mediterranean Sea. Now imagine these villages built into a steep, rugged landscape with cliffs and terraces. Imagine a waterfront full of sharp rocks of shale. Imagine buildings full of vibrant reds, oranges, pinks, and yellows. Imagine insane hikes ascending several hundred feet, with tons of stairs (Lord of the Rings style), and off-beaten tracks that lead to panoramic picture points.

We went here today almost as a last minute decision, because I had heard about it from numerous friends I met at the hostels in Rome and Florence. And even though I am very, very tired right now, I am really, really happy we made this trip. Because this place is pretty close to paradise. AND it's gotten me super inspired for RCT again. Seriously... if this was made in RCT, it would be heavenly. And I'll prolly make this in RCT sometime (actually, it's not too dissimilar to Aviara Cove in terms of landscaping).

Here are some information and photos from Google to hold you over till I get home and upload my pics (over 300 taken just here alone today!).

National Park Web Site: http://www.parconazionale5terre.it/
English Tourist Web Site: http://www.cinqueterre.it/en/index.asp

Google Images: http://images.google... ...sa=N&tab=wi
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia....ki/Cinque_Terra

I think I read an article about this place on BBC news a while back... is it the one where they farm on obscenely steep land? Can't wait to see the pics, the photos I found elsewhere look incredible.

I have seen/heard of this place in many magazines and what not. Very impressive and glad you got to go! Following your Wikipedia link I noticed that a similar place I am aware of wasn't listed. I guess Italy has many of these types of developments. Portofino is the one name that I was familiar with. Actually, I might have included that name in one of my non-spotlight-winning parks. Upon a second inspection, they almost look like well-to-do favela's.

Definetly on my list of places to see.

Great you went there and enjoyed it such a lot! (yes, unbelievable beautiful there.....)

(@ Nate: Portofino also is pure beauty, but the mountains/surroundings there are by far not as special and impressive as around Cinque Terra, and yes , Italy is full of amazing villages in these special colours.)

I think I read an article about this place on BBC news a while back... is it the one where they farm on obscenely steep land? Can't wait to see the pics, the photos I found elsewhere look incredible.

Possibly. There were vineyards terraced on the steep slopes.

Wow, such an inspirational place, i'd love to visit there. I think i'm going to Florence soon, wish i could go here too.

I have two panoramics in my room one of Monterosso al Mare and the other of Manarola.

WOW, talk about inspiration. I love Italian seaside architecture

'k, so this is a bunch of people photos at Cinque Terre, but until I get to that day on my trip reports site, people wanting more pics can kinda get glimpses here:
http://usc.facebook....1...&id=3417992

There's a whole lotta me in there however, so be warned.



Oh wait, I just remembered that my Cinque Terre pics are uploaded, just not organized. So if you don't mind just clicking around in a regular directory...
http://www.corkscrew...sa-CinqueTerre/

Starts with IMG_2323.jpg

Loving flicking through these photos corkscrewed... spotting alot of sights I saw myself in Italy a couple of summers ago. Florence station pic 1? Remember putting 1 cent coins on the floor and seeing who picked them up from exactly where that photo is taken!