Italy travel - Bed and breakfast / Apartments in the Cinque Terre, Liguria, Italy

Italy travel - Charming holiday residence in the Cinque Terre with short stay apartments and bed and breakfast accommodation ... a romantic and scenic spot for your holiday in Italy.

There is a series of paths allowing you to explore the five villages of the Cinque Terre. Over the centuries and until recently, these paths were the only link between the five. Enchanting landscapes between sky and sea open up to you as you follow narrow strips of beaten earth and climbs centuries-old steps snaking among olive-trees and vineyards. You’ll pass beautiful and highly scented flowering shrubs, lovely churches such as the Romanesque Church of Madonna della Salute, and see high promontories plunging down into the deep blue sea with tiny pebble beaches. You’ll pass by a mediaeval castle, and then up to the Torre Guardiola and Punta Montenero, a haven for natural plant and bird life.

Continuing uphill you reach the Santuario di Montenero, from whose square you can enjoy a breathtaking view and the chance to observe dolphins and whales out at sea. Trekking and horse riding are available here. Visit the church at Volastra, starting point for a walk downhill to the beach and Manarola. And the most famous attraction of the Cinque Terre is the Via dell'Amore (the path of love) linking Riomaggiore to Manarola. Cut into the rocks, this path twists alongside the sea, providing both a romantic atmosphere and beautiful views.

Manarola rises above steep cliffs plunging into the sea. There are no landing stages, so during sea storms, fishermen have no choice but to lift their boats along the cliffs. The Church of St. Lawrence here dates back to 1338, containing within a 12th century polyptych. Set upon the brow of the hill, the world-famous main attraction is a lighted crib made of thousands coloured bulbs every Christmas.

Between Vernazza and Manarola, Corniglia stands high above the sea, on a large natural terrace. From a long pebble beach wide steps wind up to the Church of St Peter with its splendid Gothic front; inside is a 12th century baptismal font. Going uphill, you find St. Bernardino and the Church of Our Lady of Graces.

Head east and you find Vernazza, a lovely little hamlet, snaking along a narrow ravine formed by the River Vernazza, ending in a small haven on the sea, where the fishing boats are housed during sea-storms. There is a little beach of sand here and large rocks popular for sunbathing and swimming. Here you also find the 13th century Church of St Margherita di Antiochia with its octagonal bell tower 14 metres high. The Genoans fortified this village with walls, guard towers and a bastion that stands to this day.

Finally you come to Monterosso, largest of the five lands. This is a popular seaside resort, with a large beach flanked by high rocks, a long promenade along the sea and very picturesque spots inside the old village.

A short walk uphill leads to the Monastery of the Capuccini; this is remarkable not just for the views but also for its Crucifixion, attributed to Van Dyck.

Climb steps through pine and chestnut trees, the Monastery of Soviore is another marvellous place to visit. Follow a maze of small lanes through dry-stone walls and you find protected flower-beds amidst the neat vines.

If it sounds idyllic it is ... and this is merely a taste of the magic of the Cinque Terre. Discover it for yourself, click below to find out more.