Cinque Terre

One of the best things about busabout is the freedom it provides in finding neat little places for yourself. Each major day of travelling has an optional halfway stop. At first I was a bit reluctant to try these stops, but with every pickup along the route of people who took time out of their trip to try one all I heard was glowing praises for the small towns and tales of adventure.

So, as I was heading up to Nice, I decided to take a few days out of my travels to see Cinque Terre. Cinque Terre, Italian for “Five Lands” is on the Italian Riviera. It is a group of five small towns cut into some pretty rough coastline. Originally home to a heap of fisherman the towns now thrive on a rich tourism driven economy.

Cinque Terre single handedly changed my opinion of Italy. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been in my life, and its people are friendly, helpful and interesting. As I decided on Cinque Terre at the last moment I had no accomodation booked, and spent much of the first day catching the train between the towns, walking with my backpack guitar and gear up and down millions of stairs looking for somewhere to stay. When I eventually did find somewhere it was in the southern most town of Riomaggiore, sharing a double bed in an apartment with one of the Busabouters I met: Chris which was a little awkward as Chris was a dude, but a little just friends spooning never hurt anyone.

My days were spent wandering the gorgeous towns, taking in the amazing architecture and walking the hike that winds along the coast between towns. When I wasn’t walking I was at the beach in Vernazza, which had crystal clear water and was great for swimming.

I can’t recommend enough a stop at Cinque Terre. I wish I could have stayed there forever.

12►

Be Sociable, Share!

•