Cinque Terre

Hotels in Cinque Terre

The Cinque Terre are five little coastal villages set in steep valleys surrounded by rugged, mountainous terrain. This region remained isolated until roughly 100 years ago, when railway line was built, but the area's unique landscape and culture has been well preserved, and it's now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Cinque Terre region is characterized by a multitude of terraces carved into the hillsides over hundreds of years. Vineyards and olives groves are cultivated here, and the villages are linked via a maze of footpaths. The main, coastal path, or Sentiero Azzuro, is the most direct, but there is another, more difficult ridge path too, and many shorter, ancient tracks up to the village sanctuaries.

 

Starting in the west, at Monterosso al Mare, the cactus lined trail climbs through terraces to Vernazza. This is the toughest section of the coastal path, but Vernazza is stunning - rose and ochre painted houses nestle at the base of the mountain, jutting out on a promontory beside a natural harbour, with the ruins of an ancient castle high above. Corniglia offers the Gothic-Ligurian style church of San Pietro (1334) while Manarola, situated beside a stream, is known for its wine. The famous 'Lovers Walk' starts here: a paved path through vineyards to Riomaggiore, the most easterly of the five villages. Here a picturesque cascade of pastel houses tumble down to the small dock below.

 

Whether you decide to walk the coastal path directly, or stay in one or two of the villages on the way, this is a magical place. The air is fragrant with wild herbs, the views inspiring, the wine and food delicious. Take your time, walk and swim, drink local wine in the sunshine, visit some beautiful churches - this is a splendid place for a break.

HOW

On foot

WHEN TO GO

April to November, but avoid July and August if you don't like crowds.

TIME IT TAKES

Five to six hours direct, but so much more pleasurable to stay a night or two along the way.

HIGHLIGHTS

Vernazzo - Santa Margherita di Antiochia

Manarola - San Lorenzo

Riomaggiore - San Giovanni Battista

Riomaggiore - The sanctuary of Madonna di Montenero

The renowned local pesto - a sauce of basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil and pecorino cheese.

YOU SHOULD KNOW

You don't have to walk the whole way. Instead, use the train, or go by boat, for part of the way. A small fee If is payable to use some of the most popular trails.

Hotels in Cinque Terre

 

Amalfi Coast Road

Hotels in Amalfi Coast

Winding its way between Sorrento and Salemo, on the ankle of Italy's boot, is the famous Amalfi Coast Road. This heavily used stretch of tarmac, carved into the mountainsides, is renowned for its stupendous views and extraordinary hairpin bends. 'The route, along with the charming villages and towns along the way, has been one of Italy's major tourist attractions for decades.

 

 

Sorrento, situated on cliff-tops, overlooks the whole of the Bay of Naples. From here you can see Naples itself as well as Vesuvius and the island of Ischia. Steps and lifts drop down 45 m (150 ft) to the sea, where swimming is from wooden jetties rather than a straightforward beach. From here, the road twists around the rocky peninsula to Positano, where pastel hued houses of pink, peach and apricot, enhanced by brightly coloured flowers, seem to cling precariously to the mountainside, up which they scramble from the small beach below.

 

The road soars and descends, through occasional tunnels, curling round frightening bends where one false move could send you hurtling off into the sparkling blue sea, hundreds of metres below – these spectacular, clizzying views are unparalleled. VIsit Amalfi, set at the foot of Monte Cerreto, and admire the magnificent 9th century cathedral, built when the town was a major maritime republic. Make the trip up to the sturming medieval hill town of Ravello, a tranquil gem of a place, boasting palaces, villas, gardens, narrow, cobbled lanes and a view which writer Gore Vidal rated as the most beautiful in the world.

From Amalfi, the road passes through Vietri, known for its ceramic production since the 15th century, and a mere 5 km (3 mi) farther, head into the bustling port area of Salerno, an historic town with a wealth of splendid palaces and churches.

 

HOW

By car or bus

WHEN TO GO

April to June or September to November; during the high summer months (July and August) the area suffers from too many visitors and far too much traffic.

TIME IT TAKES

About three hours, but you'll find it far more rewarding to spend two or three nights in different places along the way.

HIGHLIGHTS

Amalfi's Wednesday market.

The Gratta dello Smeraldo, a swimming spot accessible only by boat from Amalfi or Positano.

The gardens of the Villa Cimbrone in Ravello.

The summertime music festival honouring Wagner, which is held in the gardens of the Villa Rufolo in Ravello.

A boat trip from Positano to the Grotta delle Matera, the three Li Galli islands and Capri.

YOU SHOULD KNOW

The Amalfi Coast is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

Grand Canal

Hotels in Venice

Known as La Serenissima, Queen of the Adriatic and City of Light, Venice is certainly one of the wonders of Our world. An archipelago of 118 islands formed by 150 canals within a marshy lagoon on the Adriatic, Venice relies upon her waterways for transport, with the Grand Canal as the principal highway.

Take vaporetto No.1 from Piazzale Roma, the gateway to Venice, and you can travel the whole length of the Grand Canal to St Mark's Basin, with perfect views of some of the finest architecture the city has to offer. Almost 200 remarkable buildings, most of which rise straight from the water, form the 'banks' of the canal in na extraordinary sequence of façades, their reflections rippling below. This was the most expensive and sought-after area in the city, and these fine palazzi were built by aristocrats and wealthy merchants between the 13th and 18th centuries.

 

The canal winds through the heart of Venice in an inverted 'S' shape, and the vaporetto zigzags across it to stops on either side, passing under three bridges, the 16th century, marble Rialto, the Academia, made of wood (1854) and the stone Scalzi (1858). Today a fourth bridge is being constructed, linking the railway station and the Piazzale Roma.

 

This is a breathtaking voyage, varied, colourful and surprisin. You'll see the postman delivering by boat, gondolas carrying honeymoon couples to their waterfront hotel, and vaporetti that cross from side to side rather than up and down. You'll pass fifteen splendid churches, museums and galleries such as the Guggenheim Collection, housed in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni. As you head towards San Marco the canal opens out to its widest point, merging with St Mark's Basin and the lagoon ill a magnificent expanse of water dominated by the gleaming white façade of Santa Maria della Salute, which guards its mouth.

 

HOW

By vaporetto

WHEN TO GO

All year round, though there can be floods from November to March, and June to September can be very crowded.

TIME IT TAKES

Under one hour - but buy a travel card and you can jump on and off at any number of stops to explore.

HIGHlIGHTS

The fish and vegetable markets at the Rialto - go early in the morning.

The Venice Biennale - a major art exhibition every two years.

The Venice Film Festival - the oldest in the world and highly influential; it takes place in late August/early September.

The Carnival - one of the most famous in the world, with fabulously costumed and masked participants, it ends at midnight on Shrove Tuesday every year.

YOU SHOULD KNOW

Venice, with its lagoon, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit if you possibly can, the entire place is a work of art.