Cinque Terre boating!

Quickly becoming one of the most popular romantic locations in the world, much to the dismay of locals. It really is incredible, for sure, but I think a second visit would be super off season to explore and catch more culture and less people incessantly 'insta' picking themselves at every pretty rose bush. For real yall, enjoy your environment...no one needs that many glamour shots. Anywho, perhaps that means that some people will find a lot less portrait and really nuts and bolts pics that matter, and maybe that's not enough. We live in strange times

Anyway, I digress. Our friends had booked a beautiful 5 hour boat ride to see this incredibly colorful and vibrant set of 5 towns on rocky cliffs. Info on the boat people! Sea Breeze

The towns are easily reachable via land with the local train...not always on time but it will get there. You cannot drive between these towns. I repeat, do not try to explore these towns via car unless you want your car wedged in a 1.5meter tunnel that you thought your Fiat could manage.

We started in Monterosso, about 2.5hour drive from our town in Tuscany...the scenery alone going along the mountain range is a fabulous start to the trip. We parked in their public lot near the docks and paid for a full day just in case. Wandering Monterosso is pretty neat in the morning...tiny shops, lots of gelato, quintessential small European charm.

Our tour took us down from here to Riomaggiore over a leisurely period, admiring the rich and famous mega yacht types, sailboats, etc. There are several regions between Corniglia and manarola that allow you to hop in the water and watch the fishes go by. Some of the cliffs also have small beaches at the bottom as well if you make it to sure. If you are sailing your own boat (you can rent them), please mind the depth finder...there are reefs and very shallow areas within 100 feet of shore.

For dinner, we stopped on the way home in Lucca, which I honestly wished we had more time in. Closest description of Lucca is the old town in Nice, France...little fancy, little not, a melting of all the people. We chose a restaurant based on the incredible views and they (seriously big gasp) had a table for 8. Buca di Sant'antonio is amazing. The amuse bouche was so good we could have called it dinner. But of course, the menu looked far too good to leave it at that. I had tripe done in the traditional Lucca way...I know people get weirded out by innards, but give this a go. My husband chose a lovely bolognese as well. But, just go...everyone's food looked incredible. https://www.bucadisantantonio.com/en/