Cinque Terre

Urban-oriented hikers, look no further. The Cinque Terre is a cluster of five small fishing villages just north of Pisa. This region is full of rich history, world-renowned cuisine, and is visitor-friendly. Situated on the imposing cliffs above the Mediterranean, this UNESCO World Heritage Site can actually be hiked on an 11km trail, highly recommended for motivated visitors. Linking these towns together on foot on the Sentiero Azzurro, or “Blue Path” makes for an unforgettable day. Each town offers the chance to stop for food at local markets, a full meal, or exploration in general. The trail sections can be hiked on their own, and there are different difficulty options within the different sections. Hikers looking for the most challenging trail section should be sure to try the hike from Vernazza to Monterosso. It can be done in just a few hours and is only 3km, but the steep climb and descent and the intimidating drop-off makes it more challenging for novice hikers. Reward yourself at the end of the day with a fresh seafood meal in any of the cliffside towns and enjoy the ocean views and pastel-colored buildings.