My favorite area in all of Italy! Liguria…

When Sam and I decided to move to Italy, after eloping, he asked me where I wanted to go for our honeymoon. I had read somewhere that Cinque Terre was really beautiful. He rolled his eyes and said, “It’s sooo touristy there; are you sure?!”

I was sure!

I have been back four times because it’s truly magical! I even took a job in Camogli for a couple of summers in a row to hang in Liguria. When you can manage to find that sweet spot when the tourists have all gone home, and the crowds are dwindling, it does become a special place.

My ride or die Jenn decided to go for her birthday last year, and we did a walking tour of the 5 towns; it also included a hike from one town to the next and a boat ride to our final town. We were busy! I loved that they kept giving us information while we took in the beauty; it felt like we were just on the move. I also would have sat out the hike due to hikers falling to their deaths on ‘Lovers Lane,’ but I faced my fears and just didn’t look down. The walking tour I definitely recommend so that you can get the history and grasp the past of these less-than-thought-of fishing villages.

TANTI AUGURI JENN!!!!

If you can spend a few days in one town and then a few in another of the famous five, I would do it. Monterosso is more family-friendly; if you have small kids to entertain, it has kid-friendly beaches and playgrounds. If you are into cliff jumping and good eats, I would absolutely recommend Manarola.

For the love of all that is holy, please eat their focaccia!!!!!!! No other region does it like they do!!!!!! Thank me later!

I will never turn down an invitation to Cinque Terre; it is in my top three happy places on earth!