Lauren’s Honeymoon Choice: Cinque Terre, Italy

Lauren’s Honeymoon Choice: Cinque Terre, Italy

With a bottle of wine from a neighboring Tuscany region, you sit on the rocks watching the last slice of sun sink below the turquoise water. You look around to see a few others enjoying the warm summer evening, sipping on a glass of wine and eating a classic thin crust pizza. The last of the kayaks have just been put away and the scuba shack has just been closed.

One would think that there is no place for a honeymoon couple in this region of five terraced villages.  Where is the international hotel or the recognizable restaurant chains we are so used to and expect when we think of a honeymoon?  But if you are looking for something different and exciting, Cinque Terre may be just what you are looking for.  Nestled in the honeycomb of colorful buildings are surprises that will startled the senses and lead to a memorable experience for newly weds.

After leaving the hustle of Florence or one of the neighboring cities, you can hop on train and make the journey to the northwest part of “the boot”. As you begin to enter Cinque Terre, the tunnels that you pass under by train reveal flashes of light through small cut outs in the rock cliffs. Finally, as the train slows down, the light turns into clips of the Mediterranean sea and reveal the first of the five villages, Riomaggiore. Once the train drops you off, you will be greeted by different people waiting to sell you quarters to stay in, but I would suggest that you take your time to walk further into the village before you make your arrangements. There are many beautiful and relatively cheap accommodations to find in each of the villages. (Depending on date of travel, it may also be helpful to book accommodations ahead of time.)

           

Now that your accommodations have been taken care of you are free to enjoy all of what these small villages have to offer. Let your senses experience all the vibrant colors, smells and tastes of Cinque Terre. There are many things to do once you have settled in. Each village it connected by a walking/hiking trail that leads through the beautiful grape vineyards above the towns. I suggest that you start at the furthered village and hike back stopping at each unique terrace as you go. If hiking is not for you, but you still want to see each village and enjoy each beachfront, you can also hop on the train or use the ferry that transports you from one village to the next.

            After a long day of exploring the villages, sunbathing on the beach, swimming in the warm crystal clear water, or enjoying some quiet time, it is time for dinner. There are several different restaurants, pizza shops, markets, cafes, and gelaterias that make dining a treat. Cinque Terre has incredible seafood dishes that are very fresh and unlike any other Italian food you have had before. And don’t forget the local wines.

Once you have filled up on all of the adventures you can for one day, it is time to sleep, for another exquisite day is just around the corner. Cinque Terre is the perfect place to let you create your own personal honeymoon memories that will certain last a life time.