Cinque Terre

Just 40 minutes south of Portofino by car is the well-known Cinque Terre, or the five lands, famous for their medieval architecture and narrow colorful houses built into the cliff side. Hikers enjoy the rolling vineyards and sweeping coastal views from the trails above and between the towns. Visitors can also experience the Cinque Terre from the sea by private boat, seeing the bright homes and Gothic churches lining the coast. We recommend the latter, as visiting the towns by land can be a headache – they are overrun with backpackers and tourists. Instead, break up a day on a boat with lunch overlooking the water at a local restaurant like Belforte in Vernazza.