If you are looking for a European tourist destination, consider the Liguria region of northern Italy, known as the Italian Riviera. This thin strip of land lies on the Ligurian Sea, near Monaco and the French Riviera. While Liguria is hardly undiscovered, its crowds are much smaller than those next door. This article explores Cinque Terre. Read the other articles in this series: eastern Liguria, western Liguria, and Genoa, the capital and largest city of Liguria.

Cinque Terre are five coastal villages in eastern Liguria forming a UNESCO World Heritage site. The most popular trail, Sentiero Azzuro, runs along the water. It's about 8 miles (13 kilometers) long and takes about five hours. Trains link the villages; don't be a hero and spoil your trip.

Monterosso al Mare, population about 1500, is the largest village. Stone steps link the village center to the port and seaside promenade. Monterosso al Mare is surrounded by hills bedecked in vineyards and olive groves. Thursday is market day showcasing local arts and crafts, food, and wine. Be sure to see the Twelfth Century Church of St. Francis, built in the Ligurian Gothic style, which includes black and white marble.

Vernazza is the only natural port of the five villages. As the wealthiest village its architecture is most elaborate. See the Castle of the Doria, the watchtowers, and the Romanesque sanctuary of Our Lady of Reggio.

Corniglia, a farming village, is the most remote village and has no seacoast. Getting there means 337 steps in 33 flights of stairs. Make sure to see the Fourteenth Century Gothic-Ligurian Church of St. Peter.

Manarola is the center of the local wine and olive oil industry. What a color feast: the houses are pastel, the water is turquoise, and the rock on which the town sits is black. Don't miss Love Road joining Manarola with Riomaggiore, some of the world's most thrilling scenery. This mile long path was cut from rock overlooking the sea.

Riomaggiore is the least charming of the five villages. The Fourteenth Century parish church of Saint John the Baptist overlooks the village. Be sure to see the ruins of a Fifteenth-Sixteenth Century castle.

Liguria claims that its pesto is the best in the world. It's made with basil, olive oil, pine nuts, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. Don't break a true Ligurian heart; don't make it in a blender. See our companion article I Love Touring Italy - Cinque Terre, Liguria for a sample menu and more information on local wines with an in-depth examination of the area's tourist attractions. Cinque Terre/Cinque Terre Sciacchetrà (DOC) is made from a variety of local grapes. These wines are much less spectacular than the vineyards carved out of rock thousands of years ago.