Cinque Terre Itinerary: How to Spend 4 Days in Cinque Terre

Located along the Liguarian coast of northwest Italy, Cinque Terre is one of the most beautiful places in Europe . It’s easy to see why: multi-colored historical houses cling onto craggy cliffs, with steep green terraced vineyards carved into them. Translating to mean “five lands ”, Cinque Terre is actually made up of five fishing villages built into the foot of mountains along the coast. While they are no longer the isolated hamlets they once were, but there’s still a feeling of authenticity, with perfectly preserved architecture and a network of stunning trails. To help you plan your journey, I am sharing my 4-day Cinque Terre itinerary, along with things to do in Cinque Terre and where to eat and stay in each village. This itinerary will allow you to maximize your time in Cinque Terre. For more detailed info on visiting Cinque Terre, check out my Cinque Terre travel guide . Cinque Terre Itinerary Best Time to Visit Cinque Terre I recommend visiting Cinque Terre in early spring (April) or late autumn (November) . That’s when it is the least crowded and prices are not too high. The weather can be unpredictable though. We visited at the end of May and Cinque Terre was already pretty crowded. There were long lines at the train stations and restaurants. Even the hiking trails were packed with throngs of tourists. Cinque Terre gets extremely crowded in summer, peak travel season in Europe. It’s also really hot (temperatures rising to 86°F or 30°C) and not ideal for hiking if you intend to do that. Winter is cool and uncrowded but heavy rainfall can result in landslides and unsafe hiking conditions. Restaurants and hiking trails close around end of November and open on 1st April. How Many Days in Cinque Terre? Cinque Terre is extremely popular with day trippers — there are many day tours to Cinque Terre from Florence, Pisa and La Spezia. However, we definitely don’t recommend doing a day trip here as Cinque Terre definitely merits more time than that. We had 4 days in Cinque Terre and still wished we had more time. If you are visiting Cinque Terre with kids (like we did), then I suggest spending a week here as kids need to travel at a slower pace. If you do want to hike the Cinque Terre trails, then I suggest having 1 week in Cinque Terre to slowly explore the area on foot. More details below on hiking in Cinque Terre. Our Cinque Terre Itinerary Most of the Cinque Terre villages (except Monterosso) are tiny, so you can see each of them in 1 day. If you are wondering what to do in Cinque Terre, refer to my detailed itinerary below to get an idea. Which is the best Cinque Terre town? Check out my guide on where to stay in Cinque Terre . Your starting point depends on where you’re staying. This Cinque Terre itinerary is designed for those staying in Riomaggiore or La Spezia (outside of Cinque Terre). Day 1: Riomaggiore Day 2: Manarola Day 3: Corniglia and Vernazza Day 4: Monterosso al Mare If you are staying in Monterosso or Levanto (outside of Cinque Terre), just reverse the Cinque Terre itinerary. Day 1: Monterosso al Mare Day 2: Corniglia and Vernazza Day 3: Manarola Day 4: Riomaggiore Cinque Terre Itinerary: Things to Do in Cinque Terre Itinerary Day 1: Riomaggiore The first stop on our Cinque Terre itinerary is Riomaggiore, the first village you’ll find if you’re coming from La Spezia. You can choose to hike or take the Cinque Terre Express train to get around Cinque Terre: it only takes 4-6 minutes to get from one village to another. Scroll to the end of this Cinque Terre itinerary for more details on how to get around Cinque Terre. Best Things to Do in Riomaggiore In my opinion, Riomaggiore has the most romantic setting. Despite having the biggest population, it feels surprisingly tiny. After you leave the train station, head straight to the waterfront as that is the most picturesque part of Riomaggiore. Snap photos of the pastel-colored buildings, sit on the steps with a gelato in hand, or meander all the way up the slopes to the left of the harbor (when facing the sea) for the best views. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also cliff jump from here. Then walk all the way up to the higher end of Riomaggiore where the beautiful Church of San Giovanni Battista stands and enjoy the panoramic views. Alternatively, sign up for this 3-hour food and wine tour in Riomaggiore to delve deep into the culinary scene here. Where to Eat in Riomaggiore A Pie’ de Ma’ — Simple and traditional, this rustic restaurant has a romantic ambiance. You can also enjoy aperitifs and wine while you watch the sunset behind the cliffs. Dau Cila —Dishing up Liguarian classics, this Michelin-starred restaurant is one of the most respected places in Cinque Terre. We had the best meal on this trip here. Definitely book a table in advance! Trattoria La Grotta — This family-run restaurant serves fresh-from-the-sea dishes and high quality local produce. Don’t miss the anchovies and steak tartare. Itinerary Day 2: Manarola For me, this is hands down the most beautiful town in Cinque Terre. If you’ve seen a photo from Cinque Terre, it was probably taken here. The colorful historical buildings slide down all the way to the rocky harbor, which can be admired from an easily walkable loop along the coast. I recommend staying in Manarola, so you can spend your evenings sitting on one of the benches overlooking the waterfront. You’ll have the whole place to yourself! Best Things to Do in Manarola The town’s train station is located on the flat part of town, surrounded by shops, gelato stalls, and restaurants. Take your time to admire the narrow alleys and piazza before continuing towards the waterfront. Follow the coastal loop that brings you up to Nessun Dorma , the most famous restaurant/bar in Cinque Terre, before ending at Punta Bonfiglio . It’s a short uphill hike, with fabulous views and a playground. In the evenings, many locals and tourists gather here to catch sunset. Manarola is most famous for wine production. You can even hike up to the grapevines on the slopes above the town. Sign up for this wine tasting tour to sample wine made in Manarola and visit its vineyards. Where to Eat in Manarola Il Porticciolo — A hot favorite in Cinque Terre, this seafood restaurant has a great selection of pasta dishes and to-die-for desserts. Highly recommend the tagliatelle frutti di mare! Ristorante Marina Piccola — This is my favorite restaurant on this list, with perfect views of the sunset and flavorful wine wine mussels. Nessun Dorma — Perched on the waterfront hills above Manarola, this cafe is probably the most famous in Cinque Terre. It has an open terrace with literally the best views in Manarola. Sadly they don’t take reservations and lines to dine here are long. Itinerary Day 3: Corniglia and Vernazza Sitting atop a 100m-high rocky promontory surrounded by vineyards, Corniglia is the only village that lacks direct access to the sea. You’ll need to climb 382 steps of Scalinata Lardarina to get there from the train station. There’s also a free bus that will bring you up, but it’s often crowded. For most, Corniglia lacks the coastal appeal that draws so many to Cinque Terre. But that also means it i s the most authentic and least crowded of them all , and prices of hotels are the most reasonable here. Best Things to Do in Corniglia Corniglia is the smallest of the Cinque Terre towns, characterized by tangled alleys, hilly terraces and bohemian cafes. This is the most authentic town with the least tourists. Have an Aperol Spritz at one of its many outdoor bars, scour the vintages stores or visit the Oratorio dei Disciplinati di Santa Caterina church . For the best views, hike up to Santa Maria panoramic terrace and see the whole town from above. Best Things to Do in Vernazza From Corniglia, catch the train over to Vernazza, centrally located in Cinque Terre. The main square is located right by the harbor, flanked by multi-hued buildings and dome-roofed chapels. I found this town to be the most crowded as it’s the hot favorite among travelers. The town has a marina and a small beach where you can catch a boat or take a dip in. Visit Santa Margherita di Antiochia Church by the beach before climbing up the steps to the watch tower of Doria Castle for panoramic views of Vernazza. Where to Eat in Corniglia & Vernazza Il Pirun — This is a small, slightly hidden enoteca that serves delicious, local fare with dishes such as fried anchovies, gnocchi con pesto , paccherri pasta with shrimp and zucchini, spaghetti and mussels. Il Pirata — A local fixture, Il Pirata is run by two Sicilian brothers. Food is authentic and delicious: think bruschetta with pesto, baked calzoni, sausage rolls, arancini , panini and many other baked specialties. Vernazza Winexperience — If you're keen to go wine tasting, this is the best spot in Vernaaza. The location will blow you away, as this patio deck sits a couple of hundred feet above a pounding surf. Enjoy local cheese, sip locally produced wine and take in the breathtaking views. Itinerary Day 4: Monterosso al Mare On your last day in Cinque Terre, I recommend hitting the trails to experience the backcountry of Cinque Terre and get a sense of how people used to get from one village to another. The hike from Monterosso al Mare to Vernazza (2hours) is considered one of the most difficult sections of the famous Trail #2: Blue Trail (or Sentiero Azzurro) due to the uphill walks – but it’s also considered one of the most rewarding, particularly the views of Vernazza from above. Best Things to Do in Monterosso After your hike, reward yourself with a refreshing dip at the beach. Monterosso al Mare (commonly shortened to Monterosso) is the best town in Cinque Terre for beach lovers and families. It is the only village that has a proper strip of beach, which was beautiful and surprisingly empty during our visit in May. From the beach, walk into the old town and visit the famous Church of San Francesco , then continue wandering through the maze-like alleys filled with produce shops, restaurants and souvenir stands. Take the back streets such as Via Zuecca, Via Gioberti, Via Milite Ignoto and Via Buranco. Be sure to eat here as Monterosso has the best restaurants! If you’re not in a post-lunch coma yet, sign up for a kayaking tour of Cinque Terre . Monterosso is the best place to do this. Where to Eat in Monterosso L’Osteria — One of the most famous restaurants in Cinque Terre, this place has huge portions of fresh pasta and seafood. Don’t miss the walnut ravioli pansotti! Gastronomia San Martino — We stumbled upon this small, unpretentious diner along a narrow alley and were surprised to find outrageously good food! I had the best lasagna of my life here, as well as ravioli and clams. L’Ancora della Tortuga — Excellent place for fine dining next to the sea! This is definitely the place to go if you’re celebrating something special, or simply because you want to spoil yourself. Where to Stay in Cinque Terre Refer to my post on the best Cinque Terre hotels for detailed descriptions. Here is a rough list: Best Hotels in Riomaggiore Who should stay here? Honeymooners looking for an extra bit of romance. Riomaggiore is very small and has a more chilled-out atmosphere. It is also the closest town to the gateway La Spezia. Budget: L’Arcobaleno Affittacamere Midrange: Agave Room Rental Luxury: Crêuza De Mä Best Hotels in Manarola Who should stay here? Photographers or those who want to have the best photos should stay here, so they can spend their evenings taking timelapse images of Manarola’s harbor without crowds. Budget: Cà de Angelo Midrange: Luxury Apartment Manarola Luxury: La Toretta Lodge Best Hotels in Corniglia Who should stay here? Corniglia is the least popular village, but it is also the most authentic and least crowded of them all. Those looking to experience Cinque Terre without the crowds should stay here. Budget: Affittacamere La Torre Midrange: La Torre Apartments Luxury: Attic Outstanding View Best Hotels in Vernazza Who should stay here? The best section of the popular Blue Trail that connects all 5 villages passes through here. I recommend hikers to stay here. The town has a marina and a small beach where you can catch a boat or take a dip in. Budget: Affittacamere Tonino Basso Midrange: Hotel Gianni Franzi Luxury: Tedea Apartment Best Hotels in Monterosso Who should stay here? Monterosso al Mare (commonly shortened to Monterosso) is the best Cinque Terre town for beach bums and families . It is the only village that has a proper strip of beach, and the village with the least steps and slopes. It also has the widest range of accommodation choices. Budget: La Casa sul Mare - Monterosso Midrange: Hotel Villa Adriana Luxury: Hotel Porto Roca Alternatives Outside of Cinque Terre If you are looking for more budget-friendly places to stay, I recommend staying at one of the towns near Cinque Terre. The closest towns are La Spezia and Levanto, on the southern and northern ends of Cinque Terre. Both are just a 10-minute train ride from Cinque Terre, on the same train line that passes through the five towns. You can easily travel to Cinque Terre on day trips from there. Yes, it’s not the same staying in these towns as in Cinque Terre. You won’t have panoramas of pastel-colored houses backdropped by the blue sea. But if you are only interested in exploring and accommodation isn’t important, then check out these best hotels in Cinque Terre. Best Hotels in La Spezia La Spezia is the best place to stay near Cinque Terre for the budget conscious. It’s only a 7-minute train ride from Riomaggiore , the closest town in Cinque Terre. It is a big city and a destination on its own: with a big port, a charming old town and no shortage of trattorias serving the finest Ligurian cuisine. Budget: Lia Apartment Midrange: Affittacamere Casa Dane' Luxury: Hotel Firenze e Continentale Best Hotels in Levanto Levanto is a popular beach town with a long sandy beach, and a charming old town. This town is perfect for those who want to stay in the countryside, in a Ligurian mansion surrounded by pine forests, olive groves, and vineyards. Levanto is a 5-minute train ride from Monterosso al Mare , the closest town in Cinque Terre. Budget: Creuza de Legnà Midrange: The Hotel Nazionale Luxury: Al Terra di Mare How Much Does this Cinque Terre Itinerary Cost? Cinque Terre is not a cheap destination in comparison to the rest of Italy, especially in high season. However, it is still affordable for many and that’s why the crowds keep pouring in. Expect to pay around $150-250/night for a midrange hotel or apartment in Cinque Terre. Food is affordable in simple taverns and cafes, with meals around $8-15. But seafood restaurants are of course more expensive, with a fried seafood platter for around $20-30. Day tours in Cinque Terre are reasonable priced. A 3-hour wine tasting tour costs around $60, a kayak trip is around $90 and a full day boat tour costs around US$110. What We Spent in Cinque Terre (per person* ) Flights — $150 for return flights to Florence from Amsterdam Car rental — $180 for 5-day rental Train pass — $60 for 4-day train passes Accommodation — $500 for 4 nights Meals — $180 Boat tour — $110 TOTAL: $1180 *Note that the prices are based on per person. Car rental and hotels are cheaper when split between two. How to Get Around Cinque Terre There are a few ways to get around Cinque Terre. Here's an overview, comparing the amount of time to get from one village to another via different transport modes. I will elaborate on each transport mode below. [fusion_table fusion_table_type="1" fusion_table_rows="" fusion_table_columns="" show_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset=""] Distance By Train By Car By Boat By Foot Riomaggiore - Manarola 1.2 miles (2km) 2 min 11 min 5 min 40 min Manarola - Corniglia 3.6 miles (5.7km) 5 min 27 min - 1 h 15 min Corniglia - Vernazza 2 miles (4km) 7 min 17 min 20 min 1 h 45 min Vernazza - Monterosso 1.8 miles (3km) 4 min 39 min 15 min 2 hrs [/fusion_table] By Train Visiting Cinque Terre by train is the best way to visit the five villages. The Cinque Terre Express train is regular, fast and efficient, taking only minutes to get from one village to another. The train runs daily every few minutes and it’s very easy to navigate. A single ticket costs € 4 per adult and € 2 for kids below 12 years old. You can get the ticket at the train station or on the Trenitalia app. But if you plan to take more than four trains in a day or go hiking, the best option is the Cinque Terre train card . You can buy it at the stations. It includes unlimited train rides and access to the hiking trails. It lasts one day (16 €) or two days (29 €). By Car I would not recommend driving around Cinque Terre due to the lack of parking space and proper roads. The Cinque Terre villages are built at the foot of mountains and are mostly pedestrianized with very few roads. We drove to Cinque Terre, but parked our car there and explored the villages by train instead. We booked a hotel in Cinque Terre that had a parking garage. But our parking garage was located at the main entrance of town (near the highway), a 15-min steep walk from the apartment. It cost 15euros/day. An alternative is to park your car near the train station in La Spezia or Levanto (closest town to Cinque Terre and just a 10-min train ride away). By Boat Visiting Cinque Terre by boat is another option, especially for those who want to get away from the crowds. But the boats only operate from April 1 to November 1, 2020. The boats depart from La Spezia and visit Portovenere, Levanto and the five Cinque Terre towns. An unlimited ticket for 1 day in the Cinque Terre costs 27 €. Tickets are sold only on the spot and only for the current day. Check the boat schedule here. By Foot A network of hiking trails weave their way along the coast and up the hills overlooking the Cinque Terre villages. For centuries, they were the only way to get between the Cinque Terre villages . They still are the best way to get around Cinque Terre, though the trails are often packed with tourists these days. Skip to the next section for more details on how to go hiking in Cinque Terre. Hiking in Cinque Terre Hiking in Cinque Terre doesn’t require a high level of fitness, but you do need to have comfortable walking shoes. (Hiking in flip flops is prohibited here.) To walk the trails, you will need to buy the Cinque Terre Trekking Card , which is slightly different from the train card. It is cheaper, at €7.50 for one day or €14.50 for two days. But it does not include unlimited train rides. The most popular (and busiest) hiking trail in Cinque Terre is Trail #2: the Sentiero Azzurro, or “Blue Trail” . It is made up of four individual paths along the coast that brings you to all five villages. You can walk the entire route in about six hours —although many prefer to spread the route out over a few days. Cinque Terre Hikes and Distances: Riomaggiore - Manarola: 1.2 miles (2km); 40 minutes to walk. Manarola - Corniglia: 1.2 miles (2km); 1 hour 15 minutes to walk. Corniglia - Vernazza: 2 miles (4km); 1 hour 45 minutes to walk Vernazza - Monterosso: 1.8 miles (3km); 2 hours to walk (most difficult!) <img class="aligncenter" title="hiking in cinque terre - top things to do in cinque terre" src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Europe/Italy/Cinque-Terre/i-3tn3Kt5/0/78d161a1/L/Canva%20-%20Woman%20hiking%20on%20the%20path%20in%20vineyard%20near%20Manarola%20village.%20Cinque%20Terre.%20Liguria%2C%20Italy.-min%20%281%29-L.jpg" alt="hiking in cinque terre - top things to do in cinque terre" width="800" height="533"> Combining this Cinque Terre Itinerary with Other Parts of Italy With the ease of train travel, it's convenient to visit other parts of Italy from Cinque Terre. If you want to tag on more days to this Cinque Terre itinerary, I recommend going to Tuscany, Lombardy or Emilia Romagna which are all within a 4-hour train ride from Cinque Terre. Here is a table I created with the distance and time taken to get to other parts of Italy from Cinque Terre. [fusion_table fusion_table_type="1" fusion_table_rows="" fusion_table_columns="" show_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset=""] Distance Duration on Train Duration by Car Rome 270 miles (430km) 4 -5 hours 5 hours Milan 147 miles (236km) 4 - 4.5 hours 3 hours Bologna 155 miles (250km) 3.5 - 4 hours 3 hours Florence 103 miles (166km) 2.5 - 3 hours 2 hours Pisa 57 miles (92km) 1.5 - 2 hours 1.5 hours [/fusion_table] Below are some sample itineraries that you can add on to your Cinque Terre trip. Tuscany 5-day Itinerary This Tuscan itinerary is perfect for those who want to explore the backcountry of Italy. You'll spend your time wandering through little rural villages, wine tasting and eating cheese at farms, and staying in townhouses made for the romantic at heart. I did this itinerary on my first ever trip to Italy 15 years ago and I fell in love! 2 days in Florence 1 day in Siena 1 day driving Val d'Orcia 1 day in Pisa Lombardy 7-day Itinerary For those who have been to Italy and are seeking new alternatives, visit the fashion capital Milan and then spend your days lounging at Lake Como in the company of celebrities and millionaires. If this is good enough for George Clooney, it sure is good enough for me. 2 days in Milan 2 days in Bergamo 3 days in Lake Como (visit Como, Bellagio, Varenna) Emilia-Romagna 8-day Itinerary Food lovers and active trekkers might be interested in this lesser-known region of Italy. I combined my Cinque Terre trip with a hike on the Path of Gods (from Bologna to Florence) and absolutely loved it. Emilia-Romagna is a beautiful province and is famous for the regional foods and picturesque landscapes. 2 days in Bologna 1 day in Parma and Modena 3 days hiking in the Apennines 2 days in Ravenna With that, I ending this Cinque Terre itinerary with a thank you note. Thanks for reading all the way! I hope you've found this Cinque Terre itinerary useful. If you have any questions for me, leave them in the comments field below. Inspired? Pin it!

Visiting Cinque Terre: My Complete Cinque Terre Travel Guide

Visiting Cinque Terre for the first time? Here's my detailed guide about Cinque Terre travel to help you plan your visit to all five Cinque Terre towns. Cinque Terre is the Italy that many dream of: a rugged coast topped with pastel colored houses and lined with green terraced vineyards. Possibly my favorite part of Italy, Cinque Terre is chocked full of dramatic cliffs, charming seafront villages and a timeless ambiance. Because of the picturesque setting, Cinque Terre is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site which draws in a crazy 2.4 million visitors a year. While the Cinque Terre towns are no longer sleepy fishing villages, the Cinque Terre towns have retained their historical architecture and a network of stunning hiking trails. If you are visiting Cinque Terre for the first time, it can be overwhelming to decide how you want to get there, how many days to stay, and where to stay in Cinque Terre. I’ve compiled a complete guide to help answer all these questions. Visting Cinque Terre Where in Italy is Cinque Terre? Translated to mean “5 lands”, Cinque Terre is in fact made up of five villages poised along the Ligurian coast of northwestern Italy. The closest cities are Genoa and Pisa (both around 1.5 hours by train). A train line that runs along Italy's west coast connects all five Cinque Terre villages with Genoa, Pisa and Rome. I will explain below how to get to Cinque Terre. What are the Cinque Terre Towns? The five towns that make up Cinque Terre are Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore. What makes them so appealing is their isolated geographic location. The villages were literally built at the foot of mountains that separated the coastline from the interior. Today the villages’ exquisite ruggedness still presents a few challenges for accessibility. Each town in Cinque Terre has a unique flavor and flair ( Skip to the details on each town ). If you want to visit all five of them, I recommend picking one town as your home base and visiting the other towns on day trips. They are so close it only takes 5-10 minutes to get from one to another. [irp posts="27945" name="Path of the Gods: A Guide to Hiking from Bologna to Florence"] How to Travel to Cinque Terre Travel to Cinque Terre is not as straightforward as you would imagine, considering how popular it is. First fly to Genoa or Pisa — there are cheap flights to Genoa or Pisa from major cities in Europe for as low as $50 return. If you’re already in Italy, the easiest way to get to Cinque Terre is by train. Italy is very well connected by train. The trains are comfortable and affordable, though crowded in summer. Check Italy train schedule here . We drove to Cinque Terre from Florence and it took us 2 hours. We usually rent a car when we travel with our 4.5-year-old daughter as that's the easiest way. Our car rental in Florence only cost us $180 for 5 days. Driving to Cinque Terre is scenic and easy enough, but be sure to arrange for parking at your hotel/apartment. (Skip to this section to find out why.) Book Your Car Rental [fusion_table fusion_table_type="1" fusion_table_rows="" fusion_table_columns="" show_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset=""] Distance Duration on Train Duration by Car Rome 270 miles (430km) 4 -5 hours 5 hours Milan 147 miles (236km) 4 - 4.5 hours 3 hours Florence 103 miles (166km) 2.5 - 3 hours 2 hours Genoa 58 miles (93km) 1.5 - 2 hours 1.5 hours Pisa 57 miles (92km) 1.5 - 2 hours 1.5 hours [/fusion_table] Best Time to Travel Cinque Terre I recommend visiting Cinque Terre in early spring (April) or late autumn (November) . That’s when it is the least crowded and prices are not too high. The weather can be unpredictable though, with some rains and dull skies if you're unlucky. We visited Cinque Terre at the end of May and it was already pretty crowded. There were long lines at the train stations and restaurants. Even the hiking trails were packed with throngs of tourists. It is best to avoid summer in Cinque Terre as it gets extremely crowded. It is also really hot (temperatures rising to 86°F or 30°C) and not ideal for hiking if you intend to do that. Winter is cool and uncrowded but heavy rainfall can cause landslides and unsafe hiking conditions. Restaurants and hiking trails close around end of November and open on 1st April. [irp posts="5054" name="Celebrating Italy's 150th Birthday in Lucca"] How Many Days in Cinque Terre? Cinque Terre is extremely popular with day trippers — there are many day tours to Cinque Terre from Florence, Pisa and La Spezia. However, we definitely don’t recommend doing a day trip here as it’s too much of a rush and Cinque Terre definitely merits more time than that. We had 4 days in Cinque Terre and still wished we had more time. If you are visiting Cinque Terre with kids (like we did), then I suggest spending a week here as kids need to travel at a slower pace. Staying in one of Cinque Terre villages means you don’t have to travel in each day. Plus, you get to experience the villages at their most authentic. In the evenings after the daytrippers leave, the atmosphere completely changes and it becomes so much so laidback. My Cinque Terre Itinerary Most of the Cinque Terre towns (except Monterosso) are tiny, so you can see each of them in 1 day. This is an overview of our Cinque Terre itinerary. Read my detailed Cinque Terre itinerary for more details on what to do each day. Your starting point depends on where you’re staying. This Cinque Terre itinerary is designed for those staying in Riomaggiore or La Spezia (outside of Cinque Terre). Day 1: Riomaggiore Day 2: Manarola Day 3: Corniglia and Vernazza Day 4: Monterosso al Mare If you are staying in Monterosso or Levanto (outside of Cinque Terre), you can just reverse the Cinque Terre itinerary. Cinque Terre Day Tours If I still haven’t convinced you to spend a few days in Cinque Terre, you might like to check out these days tours to Cinque Terre . Because of the popularity of Cinque Terre, it’s best to book the day tour in advance. The day tours usually bring you on both train and boats, some include hiking while others include wine tasting. Prices range from $60 for a 3-hour experience to $110 for a full day boat trip. Cinque Terre day trip from Milan Cinque Terre full day tour from Florence Cinque Terre hiking tour from Florence Cinque Terre wine tasting tour from Pisa Cinque Terre boat tour from La Spezia Cinque Terre day tour from La Spezia Book Your Cinque Terre Tour How to Get Around Cinque Terre There are a few ways to get around Cinque Terre. Here's an overview, comparing the amount of time to get from one village to another via different transport modes. I will elaborate on each transport mode below. [fusion_table fusion_table_type="1" fusion_table_rows="" fusion_table_columns="" show_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset=""] Distance By Train By Car By Boat By Foot Riomaggiore - Manarola 1.2 miles (2km) 2 min 11 min 5 min 40 min Manarola - Corniglia 3.6 miles (5.7km) 5 min 27 min - 1 h 15 min Corniglia - Vernazza 2 miles (4km) 7 min 17 min 20 min 1 h 45 min Vernazza - Monterosso 1.8 miles (3km) 4 min 39 min 15 min 2 hrs [/fusion_table] By Foot A network of hiking trails weave their way along the coast and up the hills overlooking the Cinque Terre villages. For centuries, they were the only way to get between the Cinque Terre villages. They still are the best way to get around, though they’re often packed with tourists these days. To walk the trails, you will need to buy the Cinque Terre Trekking Card . It costs €7.50 for one day or €14.50 for two days. But it does not include unlimited train rides. You can get it in the villages and from huts at the start of each section of the path. By Car I would not recommend driving around Cinque Terre due to the lack of parking space and proper roads. The Cinque Terre villages are built at the foot of mountains and are mostly pedestrianized with very few roads. We wanted to have a car as it was the easiest way to get around with our kids. So we hired a car in Florence and drove to Cinque Terre. But once we got there, we parked our car at a garage and explored the villages by train. The car rental only cost $180 for 5 days. If you want to drive, be sure to book a hotel with a garage. Our parking garage was quite far from the apartment and cost $18/day. An alternative is to park your car near the train station in La Spezia or Levanto (closest towns to Cinque Terre). Book Your Car Rental By Train Visiting Cinque Terre by train is the best way to visit the five villages. The Cinque Terre Express train is regular, fast and efficient, taking only minutes to get from one village to another. The train runs daily every few minutes and it’s easy to navigate. A single ticket costs € 4 per adult and € 2 for kids below 12 years old. You can get the ticket at the train station or on the Trenitalia app. But if you plan to take more than four trains in a day or go hiking, the best option is the Cinque Terre train card . You can buy it at the stations. It includes unlimited train rides and access to the hiking trails. It lasts one day (16 €) or two days (29 €). By Boat Visiting Cinque Terre by boat is another option, especially for those who want to get away from the crowds. But the boats only operate from April 1 to November 1, 2020. The boats depart from La Spezia and visit Portovenere, Levanto and the five Cinque Terre towns. An unlimited ticket for 1 day in the Cinque Terre costs 27 €. Tickets are sold only on the spot and only for the current day. Check the boat schedule here. Best Things to Do in Cinque Terre Most people who travel to Cinque Terre want to spend their time outdoors, either hiking its trails or dipping in the Ligurian Sea. For those who want to take to the water, you can rent a SUP, book a kayaking trip from Monterosso or a sunset sailing cruise along Cinque Terre . Or simply go for a swim at Monterosso’s beach and the small beach in Vernazza. There are a few churches and monuments you can visit in each Cinque Terre village. Some of the most prominent ones are Church of San Giovanni Battista at the top of Riomaggiore, Santa Margherita di Antiochia Church by the beach in Vernazza, and the famous Church of San Francesco in Monterosso al Mare. The hills that form the backdrop of the Cinque Terre villages are covered in vineyard terraces. They actually produce their own wine, and you can even do a tasting at some of the wineries. Sign up for this wine tasting tour to sample wine made in Manarola. For more details on things to do in Cinque Terre, check out my Cinque Terre itinerary. Book Your Cinque Terre Activities Hiking Cinque Terre: What You Need to Know Hiking in Cinque Terre doesn’t require a high level of fitness, but you do need to have comfortable hiking shoes . In fact, there are signs prohibiting hikers to wear slippers/flip flops on the trails. Also don’t forget to bring a backpack with at least 1L of water, hat and swim suit. The trails involve lots of ups and downs and some parts require you to clamber. There are also narrow stretches where you’ll need to wait for other hikers to pass. Refer to this page for details on hiking trails in Cinque Terre. The most popular (and busiest) hiking trail in Cinque Terre is Trail #2: the Sentiero Azzurro, or “Blue Trail” . It is made up of 4 individual paths along the coast that brings you to all 5 villages. You can walk the entire route in about 6 hours —although many prefer to spread the route out over a few days. Most people recommend starting from Riomaggiore, where the paths are easier and paved. Trail #2 Hikes and Distances Riomaggiore - Manarola: h: 1.2 miles (2km); 40 minutes to walk Manarola - Corniglia: 1.2 miles (2km); 1 hour 15 minutes to walk Corniglia - Vernazza: 2 miles (4km); 1 hour 45 minutes to walk Vernazza - Monterosso: 1.8 miles (3km); 2 hours to walk (most difficult!) Cinque Terre Hiking Map There are many other trails that are less crowded, especially the inland trails. Trails #1, 4, 6, 9 and 10 are perhaps the least busy and most rugged. Note that these trails are for experienced hikers only and are quite challenging. For more info on the national park, this is the official website . Credit: cinqueterre.it Visiting Cinque Terre with Kids Visiting Cinque Terre with kids who need a stroller can be challenging, just because most of the Cinque Terre villages are built on slopes/hills. That means lots of stairs and steep slopes everywhere. But if you are traveling with a baby or a kid who can walk, you’ll do just fine. Most Cinque Terre villages are small and easy to explore on foot. We had a blast visiting Cinque Terre with our 4-year-old daughter, who actually enjoys climbing stairs! I would recommend bringing a baby carrier if your kid still fits in one. You can even go hiking in Cinque Terre if you have a hiking carrier (which usually fits kids up to 18kg). We used to carry our daughter on the KELTY hiking carrier before she got too big for it. It worked very well and we highly recommend it. [irp posts="27474" name="Santorini with Kids: My Travel Guide for Families"] Where to Stay in Cinque Terre Accommodation is very limited here as the Cinque Terre villages are usually tiny. Plus Cinque Terre is a national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site, so no new construction is allowed. Because it’s so popular, Cinque Terre hotels are overpriced, even for simple guesthouses. You’ll need to book your accommodation as early as possible as they get booked up very fast, especially in summer. Also there are no big hotels here, just intimate boutique hotels, apartments and guesthouses. We splurged on a luxury apartment in Manarola ($250/night), steps from the water, in the yellow building pictured below. It was incredible being able to wake up at 830am and stroll down to the waterfront and have the village to myself. Which is the Best Cinque Terre Town to Stay? I recommend staying in just one Cinque Terre village — there’s no point moving around as they are so near each other (3-5 mins by train). But how do you decide which is the best Cinque Terre town for you? It really depends on your travel style and budget. Read my detailed guide on where to stay in Cinque Terre. Manarola — We chose to stay at Manarola, mainly because of the views (pictured below). It has the most stunning backdrop right at the waterfront , on an easily walkable loop along the coast (which is important since we’re traveling with a toddler). Monterosso — This is the biggest town, with a beautiful beach right within easy reach . It also has the widest range of accommodation from big chain hotels to small guesthouses. It’s suitable for those with mobility issues as the town is mostly flat. Corniglia — The only town perched on a hilltop, Corniglia is the least popular of the Cinque Terre towns mainly due to its location. But it is perfect for those looking for the most authentic experience , at the best prices. Best Hotels in Cinque Terre Refer to my post on where to stay in Cinque Terre for detailed descriptions of each Cinque Terre town and what to do in each village. Here is a rough list of the best hotels in Cinque Terre: Best Hotels in Riomaggiore The first stop on most Cinque Terre itinerary is Riomaggiore, the closest town to the gateway La Spezia . In my opinion, it has the most romantic setting. It is also the starting point of hikers who are here to trek the 75 miles (120 km) of trails along the coast. Budget: L’Arcobaleno Affittacamere Midrange: Agave Room Rental Luxury: Crêuza De Mä Best Hotels in Manarola For me, this is hands down the most beautiful town in Cinque Terre. The colorful historical buildings slide down all the way to the rocky harbor, which can be admired from an easily walkable loop along the coast. We are very glad to have chosen to stay in Manarola. Wake up before the daytrippers arrive and you'll have it all to yourself! Budget: Cà de Angelo Midrange: Luxury Apartment Manarola Luxury: La Toretta Lodge Best Hotels in Corniglia Corniglia is the only village that lacks direct access to the sea. You’ll need to climb 382 steps to get there from the train station (along the coast). For that reason, Corniglia lacks the coastal appeal that draws so many to Cinque Terre. But t hat also means it i s the most authentic and least crowded of them all . Budget: Affittacamere La Torre Midrange: La Torre Apartments Luxury: Attic Outstanding View Best Hotels in Vernazza I recommend hikers who intend to hike the Cinque Terre trails to stay here , as it is the most convenient starting point. It is a medium-sized town with a central location in Cinque Terre, but I found this town to be the most crowded. The town has a marina and a small beach where you can catch a boat or take a dip in. Budget: Affittacamere Tonino Basso Midrange: Hotel Gianni Franzi Luxury: Tedea Apartment Best Hotels in Monterosso Monterosso al Mare (commonly shortened to Monterosso) is the best Cinque Terre town for beach bums and families . It is the only village that has a proper strip of beach, and the village with the least steps and slopes. It also has the widest range of accommodation choices. Budget: La Casa sul Mare - Monterosso Midrange: Hotel Villa Adriana Luxury: Hotel Porto Roca Alternatives Outside of Cinque Terre If you are looking for more budget-friendly places to stay, I recommend staying at one of the towns nearby and visiting Cinque Terre on day trips. The closest towns are La Spezia and Levanto , on the southern and northern ends of Cinque Terre. Both are just a 10-minute train ride from Cinque Terre, on the same train line that passes through the five towns. You can easily travel to Cinque Terre by train or on foot. Yes, it’s not the same staying in these towns as in Cinque Terre. You won’t have panoramas of pastel-colored houses backdropped by the blue sea. But if you are only interested in exploring and accommodation isn’t important, then check out these best hotels in Cinque Terre. Best Hotels in La Spezia La Spezia is the best place to stay near Cinque Terre for the budget conscious. It’s only a 7-minute train ride from Riomaggiore , the closest town in Cinque Terre. It is a big city and a destination on its own: with a big port, a charming old town and no shortage of trattorias serving the finest Ligurian cuisine. Budget: Lia Apartment Midrange: Affittacamere Casa Dane' Luxury: Hotel Firenze e Continentale Best Hotels in Levanto Levanto is a popular beach town with a long sandy beach, and a charming old town. This town is perfect for those who want to stay in the countryside, in a Ligurian mansion surrounded by pine forests, olive groves, and vineyards. Levanto is a 5-minute train ride from Monterosso al Mare , the closest town in Cinque Terre. Budget: Creuza de Legnà Midrange: The Hotel Nazionale Luxury: Al Terra di Mare Best Restaurants in Cinque Terre The food in Cinque Terre is possibly the best I’ve ever eaten in Italy. I’m a big sucker for seafood and Cinque Terre really does it well. The towns are, after all, fishing villages! I also found that there was no shortage of scenic restaurants with fabulous views. Here are our favorite restaurants in Cinque Terre : Riomaggiore: A Pie’ de Ma’ — Simple and traditional, this rustic restaurant has a romantic ambiance. You can also enjoy aperitifs and wine while you watch the sunset behind the cliffs. Manarola: Il Porticciolo — A hot favorite in Cinque Terre, this seafood restaurant has a great selection of pasta dishes and to-die-for desserts. Highly recommend the tagliatelle frutti di mare! Manarola: Ristorante Marina Piccola — This is my favorite restaurant on this list, with perfect views of the sunset and flavorful wine wine mussels. Manarola: Nessun Dorma — Perched on the waterfront hills above Manarola, this cafe is probably the most famous in Cinque Terre. It has an open terrace with literally the best views in Manarola. Sadly they don’t take reservations and lines to dine here are long. Corniglia: Il Pirun — This is a small, slightly hidden enoteca that serves delicious, local fare with dishes such as fried anchovies, gnocchi con pesto , paccherri pasta with shrimp and zucchini, spaghetti and mussels. Vernazza: Il Pirata — A local fixture, Il Pirata is run by two Sicilian brothers. Food is authentic and delicious: think bruschetta with pesto, baked calzoni, sausage rolls, arancini , panini and many other baked specialties. Monterosso: L’Osteria — One of the most famous restaurants in Cinque Terre, this place has huge portions of fresh pasta and seafood. Don’t miss the walnut ravioli pansotti! What to Pack for Cinque Terre I’m a strong believer in ‘less is more’. The less you travel with, the more convenient it will be to move around. This is especially true in Cinque Terre, where there are lots of steps and slopes everywhere. Bring a light jacket or cardigan if you're traveling in spring or autumn, and a proper winter jacket for winter. If you are planning to hike in Cinque Terre, be sure to bring a sturdy pair of hiking shoes that you've broken into. Don't forget a hiking daypack along with a water bottle or hydration bag, snacks, and hat. Swimming gear is also important, and don't forget dresses and sandals for evenings. Packing List for Cinque Terre 30L day pack 1L hydration bladder bag (for easy drinking) Hiking boots (to protect ankles) KEEN covered sandals (or flipflops) Hiking poles (optional) Hiking socks Quick dry hiking pants Quick dry t-shirts UPF50+ swim shirt Dry bag for snorkeling/kayaking Dresses (for dinners) Pyjamas Flipflops/Sandals SPF 70 Sunscreen Quick-dry towel Polarized sunglasses Sun hat First-aid kit (rehydration salts, paracetamol, Compeed etc) GoPro Hero 7 (for underwater shots) Language in Cinque Terre Italian is of course the main language of Cinque Terre, but many people speak English too as Cinque Terre villages are tourist towns. Don't worry about not being to speak any Italian here. You’ll also notice many people who work in the tourism industry here are not Italians. Many foreigners work in Cinque Terre during the high season and leave when the tourist numbers go down. Safety in Cinque Terre Like other parts of Italy, Cinque Terre is very safe. The only thing you need to be careful of are pickpockets. They usually work in very crowded areas, so always keep your valuables within sight. Also if you’re visiting Cinque Terre during winter, be aware that landslides have occurred on the hills overlooking various Cinque Terre villages. These are results of heavy rainfall, so be sure to check the weather forecast before visiting. Cost of Travel to Cinque Terre Cinque Terre travel is not cheap in comparison to the rest of Italy, especially in high season. However, it is still affordable for many and that’s why the crowds keep pouring in. Expect to pay around $150-250/night for a midrange hotel or apartment in Cinque Terre. Food is affordable in simple taverns and cafes, with meals around $8-15. But seafood restaurants are of course more expensive, with a fried seafood platter for around $20-30. Day tours in Cinque Terre are reasonable priced . A 3-hour wine tasting tour costs around $60, a kayak trip is around $90 and a full day boat tour costs around US$110. [fusion_tooltip title="" class="" id="" placement="top" trigger="hover"]TIP: Note that USD ($) and Euros (€) are about the same rate now. Check XE.com for the latest currency exchange rate.[/fusion_tooltip] Practical Tips for Visiting Cinque Terre As mentioned, there are lots of stairs and steep slopes everywhere in the Cinque Terre towns. For families with young children, prepare to do a lot of weight lifting (of the stroller!). Wheelchair-bound travelers might have difficulty getting around most of the Cinque Terre towns. The best village to visit is Monterosso al Mare, which is located by the sea and with easy access to trains and cars. It is not advisable to drive around Cinque Terre, but if you have to, there is a big open-air carpark in Monterosso, right beside the train station. You can also leave your car in La Spezia next to the train station. Some hotels also have dedicated parking garage, so keep this in mind when booking your Cinque Terre hotels . I usually use booking.com : there’s an option to choose ‘parking’ in one of the search filters. If you are on a tight budget, I recommend staying in nearby Levanto or La Spezia – both are on the Cinque Terre train line. Accommodation is cheaper and more authentic. You can easily travel to Cinque Terre everyday as the Cinque Terre towns are just 5 to 10-min away. Enjoy Your Cinque Terre Travel! I hope this Cinque Terre travel guide has helped you plan your adventure to this beautiful part of the world. Don’t be deterred from visiting Cinque Terre because of the pricey accommodation and crowds — travel during off peak season and book your Cinque Terre hotel early, and you’re sure to have fun when you travel to Cinque Terre. Inspired? Pin it!

Path of the Gods: A Guide to Hiking from Bologna to Florence

Italy is one of the most visited countries in the world , for good reasons. The country has no shortage of colorful picture-perfect towns, historical treasure troves and some of the best foods in the world. Sadly, many parts of Italy have become overrun with tourists in the past decade or so. Venice lost its magic for me after I had to jostle the crowds to get to my hotel. I fell out of love with Rome having to wait in line just to toss a coin into fontana di trevi . But as I found on my recent trip back to Italy, there ARE ways to steer away from the crowds and explore the less-visited parts of the country. While hiking the Path of the Gods from Bologna to Florence, I was impressed to find charming villages, historical treasures and beautiful mountains — free of tourists! If you’re looking to find authentic Italy, I recommend doing this hike that gets you into the backroads. Also check out this first-timers guide to Bologna to help you enjoy the city before the trek. The Path of Gods Guide What is the Path of the Gods? The Path of the Gods ( Via degli Dei in Italian) is an ancient route connecting Bologna to Florence through the Apennines mountain range in northern Italy. On the 135-km trail, you are literally following in the footsteps of the Romans as it retraces parts of the historic Flaminia Military Roman Road built over 2200 years ago. NOTE! This Path of the Gods is often confused with The Path of the Gods on the Amalfi Coast. Both are named Via degli Dei , but the Amalfi trail is only 4 miles (7 km) and takes 1.5 to 2 hours to walk. This one, from Bologna to Florence takes 5 to 6 days to walk. How the Path of the Gods Got Its Name The name Via degli Dei translates to mean “Path of the Gods”. It comes from the names of the five peaks this path crosses over. They include Mount Adone, Monzuno, Mount Venus, and Mount Lunario. Monte Adone is the highest one, with its peak at 654m above sea level. You’ll not only see sweeping views over the Bologna Hills, but also craggy sandstone cliffs that create a unique landscape. The highest point during the trek is around 1200m above sea level. While you won't be traversing high altitudes during the trek, there are a few uphill and downhill walks. But they are not overly steep and are short ascents and descents. [irp posts="17175" name="My Camino de Santiago Guide"] Why Hike the Path of the Gods Created in the 1990s, the Path of the Gods is designed to pass through the mountains and rural villages of the Emilia Romagna and Tuscany regions of Italy. The hiking trail also crosses several nature reserves and weaves its way past many monasteries and sanctuaries. Today, it is a popular hiking and biking trail among Italians — but it’s still relatively unknown among foreign visitors, so go soon! Not only will you be exploring the backroads of Italy where tourists are few and far between, you’ll be seeing its nature, learning its history, and experiencing its rich culinary culture. Is it Easy to Hike the Path of the Gods? Generally speaking, the Path of the Gods is relatively easy and almost anyone with a reasonable physical fitness level can do it. The trail does not reach high altitudes, and neither are there steep ascents or rough terrain. You’re mostly walking on ridges and crossing hills of no more than 1200m high. You’ll need five or six days to walk the 135km trail at a comfortable pace. That allows you to walk 13-20km a day, which is around 3-5 hours. You don’t need to hike the whole way either — you can also choose to skip some of the less-interesting parts and use the time to visit monasteries or enjoy the spa. It’s all up to you. If you prefer to walk at a leisurely pace, I recommend hiking the Path of Gods with a tour operator. My hike was organised by Appennino Slow , a tour operator that encourages travelers to go slow and explore meaningfully. The itinerary they designed for me was perfect, incorporating rest days and adding museum visits and cooking demonstrations. How to Hike the Path of the Gods The Path of Gods is marked by red and white symbols and signs. You’ll find them at the beginning and at the most important intersections. There are also sign boards in each town, with information on the destinations. But note that everything is written in Italian, only some information boards in towns are translated to English. Similar to the popular Camino de Santiago , hikers can also get a credential (similar to a passport) and receive a certificate at the end. You can pick one up at the Bologna Tourist Office. Remember to get a stamp at each of your accommodations to present it to the Tourist Office in Florence for your certificate. [irp posts="25204" name="Caminito del Rey: A Guide to Spain's Best Hike"] Hike the Path of the Gods Independently or on a Guided Tour? It is possible to hike the trail on your own, but you might not find your way as only some parts of the trail are signposted. The beginning of the trail in particular didn’t have any signs. The signs for the trail only started appearing at Via de Bregoli after we left Bologna behind. Also, I didn’t see many hikers on the Path of the Gods, which was great. But if you were walking independently, you won’t be able to ask around or get help if you need. When I did the Camino de Santiago , there were so many other hikers that it was easy to follow the path. With a guide, you can see a lot more of the flora and fauna (we even spotted a peregrine falcon), and understand the history and environment. My guide Stefano Fazzioli from Appennino Slow was an excellent guide and a wealth of information. He was patient and walked alongside me at my slow pace, sharing interesting info and stories. He wrote the official guide to the Path of Gods (in Italian) and knows the trail inside out. Who Will Enjoy the Path of the Gods? The Path of the Gods is suitable for medium-level hikers — those who can hike around 10-20km a day and prefer not to hike for more than one week. It's perfect for avid hikers who want to go slightly off the beaten path in Italy or combine city visits with a trek. As I mentioned, I hardly saw other hikers on the trail. The only people I met was a group of hikers from Bologna, who were beginner hikers. They mentioned that this was the first multi-day hike they've done. At one of the B&Bs I stayed, I had dinner with over 25 hikers who were all doing the Path of the Gods at the same time as me. I thought it was so strange that I never saw any of them on the trail. That's the beauty of the Path of the Gods: many people actually hike the trail (mostly Italians) but because of the way it's designed, you don't really cross paths with others. Some trails like the Camino de Santiago can get too crowded sometimes. When to Hike the Path of the Gods The best time to hike the Path of Gods is in spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) when temperatures are mild. It can get very hot in summer with temperatures rising to 104°F ( or 40°C) during the day. In winter, temperatures in the mountains drop to zero and there can be snow sometimes. I hiked the Path of the Gods at the end of May. The weather was excellent on the first few days of my hike — it was sunny but not overly hot, and I was comfortable hiking in t-shirt and pants. But it started raining non-stop halfway through my trek. It was abnormal as usually it is close to 30 degrees Celsius at this time of the year. I recommend checking the weather forecast a few days before your hike to be prepared for the conditions. Where to Stay Along the Path of the Gods Even though most of the Path of the Gods passes through rural areas and tiny villages, I was surprised by the array of accommodations I stayed at. Ranging from beautiful wineries to spa hotels, there’s no shortage of nice and comfortable places to stay at along the trail. For those on a budget, you can also easily find small simple family-run B&Bs or refuges in almost every town along the Path of Gods. These guesthouses are usually priced at around $25-30 per person. Refuges where you can sleep on bunk beds in your sleeping bag cost around $10-15 per person. Unfortunately as this isn’t a religious pilgrimage route, so accommodations are not subsidized like on the Camino de Santiago . Best Places to Stay in Emilia Romagna: It is important to book your accommodations in advance as there can be a lot of hikers (even if you don’t see them). Here are my favorite places to stay along the Path of the Gods: Agriturismo Il Passeggere — Undoubtedly my favorite place to stay on the Path of the Gods, this beautiful villa has tastefully designed stone houses for guests to stay and a large hunting estate filled with deers and Tuscan pigs. Its restaurant serves outstanding game meat like deer salami and wild boar steak. Room rates are surprisingly affordable. Check prices here! L'Isola del Sasso — A beautiful winery surrounded by vineyards and rolling hills that prides itself on sustainable practices and amazing wine. The owner Floriano Cinti started this winery from scratch, learned to make wine himself and built up an impressive collection. They do wine-tasting sessions and show you how they make delicious wine. Book here! Palazzo Loup — This 18th century villa in Loiano isn't exactly along the Path of the Gods, but it's well worth making a detour for. The villa is extremely rich in history and character, featuring lavish gardens and elegant rooms. I was particularly impressed by the spa with the heated pool and water circuit that all had a spectacular view of the rolling hills. Check prices here! Where to Eat Along the Path of the Gods One of the best parts of hiking the Path of the Gods is the food! Emilia Romagna is known as Italy’s food capital and it's easy to see why. It is here that the famous ‘Bologney’ (Bologna sausage), Ragu (Bolognese) sauce and Tagliatelle pasta were first created. Locals take pride in their food and every single dish is made with love. You’ll find many traditional trattorias scattered along the Path of Gods that serve these classic Bolognese dishes. Most villages have at least one trattoria (traditional restaurant) and you can’t go wrong in there. It’s almost impossible to have a bad meal in Emilia Romagna. Here are some of my favorite: Il Postiglione — This is an excellent trattoria in the countryside with a menu full of classic Italian dishes and homemade goodness. Their specialty is the crescentini (fluffy fried dough puffs) with a spread of salami and cheese. I also had the tortellacci ai porcini (big tortellini with mushrooms) that was seriously the best dish I had on this trip! Vecchia Trattoria Monte Adone — You’ll have to make a pitstop here even if it’s not in your plan. I had an amazing Italian classic, handmade tagliatelle in ragu sauce. It was so simple yet outrageously delicious. Plus there's an antipasti and dessert buffet that looks amazing (we didn't have it). And you'll get to dine with a panoramic view of the mountains around you. What to Pack for the Hike My motto has always been, “The lighter you pack, the happier you’ll be.” Since you’ll be carrying your belongings with you, it’s important to pack only the essentials and keep your backpack to a maximum of 7kg. (Your backpack shouldn’t weigh more than 10% of your weight.) It’s important to pack for muddy terrain even if you’re visiting in summer. Some parts of the trail, particular around the Roman Way, is muddy all year round. Be sure to bring a pair of high-ankle hiking boots and waterproof rain gear. The Path of Gods mainly passes through rural areas with no shops or stores around. On most days, there won’t be any place to buy medication or sports gear, so be sure to pack what you need or buy them in Bologna before starting the trek. [irp posts="17203" name="My Packing List for the Camino de Santiago"] Packing List to Hike the Path of the Gods 30L Hiking backpack (with rain cover) 1L hydration bladder bag (for easy drinking) Hiking boots (to protect ankles and for mud) Hiking poles (useful to reduce stress on knees) Hiking socks Waterproof jacket Quick dry hiking pants Yoga pants or leggings Quick dry t-shirts Pyjamas Flipflops/Sandals First-aid kit (rehydration salts, paracetamol, Compeed etc) Cap Toiletries Snacks (nuts or muesli bars) *NOTE: Appennino Slow has a transport service where they can bring your suitcase or things you don’t need on the trek to your next hotel each day. My Path of the Gods Itinerary What I liked about my itinerary was the slow and relaxing pace — I even got a rest day during the six-day trek just to explore the area and relax a bit. That’s why the philosophy behind Appennino Slow resonated with me: they believe in slowly exploring the mountains while experiencing their culture and nature better. That said, I didn't walk the entire Path of the Gods from start to end. If you're a hardcore hiker who wants to complete the entire trek, check out the recommended itinerary at the bottom of the post. Day 1: Bologna - Sasso Marconi We started our trek in the heart of Bologna, specifically at Piazza Maggiore (the main square). Bologna is a charming little university city of 400,000 people, with a historical old town worth visiting if you haven’t been. Making our way out of the city, we eventually arrived at the Portico de San Juan, the world’s longest portico (arched walkway). The 4km long walkway has exactly 666 arches, culminating at the San Luca sanctuary. The sanctuary is a basilica church that stands around 300m above the city plain, and it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From there, we made our way downhill to Via de Bregoli, a 1.7 km long forested path to reach Talon Park in Casalecchio di Reno. Here you’ll find the 15th-century palace and gardens of the Marquis Talon Sampieri. As we were running late, we took a train from Casalecchio to Sasso Marconi, though you can continue the trail. Where to Eat & Stay: L' Isola del Sasso This is a beautiful winery surrounded by vineyards and rolling hills that prides itself on sustainable practices and amazing wine. The owner Floriano Cinti started this winery from scratch, learned to make wine himself and built up an impressive collection. They do wine-tasting sessions and show you how they make delicious wine. Check the latest rates here. Day 2: Sasso Marconi - Brento Leaving behind Sasso Marconi, we continued our hike into the forests of the Contrafforte Pilocenio Nature Reserve . The protected area is made up of imposing rocky complex, culminating in the highest peak Monte Adone (654m). We also passed the Exotic Fauna and Wildlife Protection Centre , a sanctuary for exotic animals, mostly imported illegally for profit and then often mistreated and abandoned. There are all kinds of species here including tigers, lions, and chimps. Today involved a few uphill walks and downhill descents, but they were not overly steep or slippery. We walked mostly in thick forests that provided shade from the sun and followed the ridges of Monte Frate and Monte Adone before arriving in Brento. From Brento, we were picked up by our hotel by van to Loiano. Where to Eat: Vecchia Trattoria Monte Adone You’ll have to make a pitstop here even if it’s not in your plan. I had an amazing Italian classic, handmade tagliatelle in ragu sauce. It was so simple yet outrageously delicious. Plus there's an antipasti and dessert buffet that looks amazing (we didn't have it). And you'll get t you get to dine with a panoramic view of the mountains around you. Check location here. Where to Stay: Palazzo Loup This 18th century villa in Loiano is so rich in history and character, featuring lavish gardens and elegant rooms. It’s an elegant spot where weddings are held people enjoy hanging out on the beautiful lawn. I was particularly impressed by the spa with the heated pool and water circuit that all had a spectacular view of the rolling hills. Check the latest rates here. Day 3: Rest day The tour operator Appennino Slow knew it was going to rain the whole day so they planned a rest day for me. I was break from trekking and took a rest day, which was a perfect way to get to know the area a bit more. The Loiano area is not along the Path of Gods, but it makes for a fun side trip. We spent the morning visiting a museum and archaeological site in Monterenzio. The Archaeological Museum L. Fantini gives excellent insights to the area’s rich history. Ancient Etruscan villages had been found here, alongside immaculately preserved artifacts and tombs that date back to 300 BC. I was really impressed by how well preserved the artifacts on display were. From there, we drove over the Archaeological Site on Monte Bibele where the original Etruscan villages were located. It’s an uphill hike to get to the site itself. The village has been reconstructed by archaeologists and there are even information in English. Where to Eat: Il Postiglione This is an excellent trattoria in the countryside with a menu full of classic Italian dishes and homemade goodness. Their specialty is the crescentini (fluffy fried dough puffs) with a spread of salami and cheese. I also had the tortellacci ai porcini (big tortellini with mushrooms) that was seriously the best dish I had on this trip! They too have an antipasti buffet that's worth checking out if you're looking for a big meal. Check the location here. Day 4: Monzuno - Madonna dei Fonelli Today’s hike was a relatively easy one that took just three hours from start to end. From Monzuno, we climbed up to Monte Venere and found ourselves surrounded by beautiful chestnut forests. The misty environment resembled New Zealand more than Italy. Eventually we reached the tiny village of Le Croci and made our way up Monte del Galletto. Another hour’s hike took us along the flat ridge of the mountain and we were soon at the hamlet of Madonna dei Fornelli. NOTE! It was raining the entire day and the trails got pretty muddy and slippery. Make sure to pack waterproof gear and protection for your camera gear in case you get as much rain as I did. Where to Eat: Ristorante Poli This simple tavern in the main square of the village serves delicious comfort food like tagliatelle and tortellini. You’ll find many classic Italian dishes here as well as desserts like mascarpone. Prices are cheap and reasonable. Check the location. Where to Stay: B&B Romani Also at the main square of the village is this quaint family-run guesthouse. The young owner, Elisa, is an outgoing host and an excellent cook! She even taught me how to cook the local specialty, frittelle di castagne (chestnut dough fritters), and I had a great time cooking in her kitchen. Her home restaurant is an awesome concept, getting hikers from all over together and enjoying a home-cooked meal together. Book your stay here. Day 5: Madonna dei Fonelli to Passegere This was probably my favorite day in terms of landscapes, interesting sights and hiking terrain. Walking uphill from the village of Madonna dei Fonelli, we were soon walking amidst poppy fields and daisy meadows. It wasn’t rainy or foggy that morning, so we had clear views of the Appennine mountains around us. We eventually found ourselves walking in a stunning beech forest, with fairy tale like setting. Creepy branches, green moss and grass carpets surrounded us. Next we descended upon Pian di Balestra, a plain filled with tall, imposing fir trees. The atmosphere was once again a haunting one that resembled the setting of a horror movie. Then we found our way to the remains of the Flaminia Military or Roman Way, a route that was built almost 2000 years ago by the Romans to connect Bologna and Rome. It was incredible walking on a precious piece of history (despite the ridiculous amount of mud!). After 3 hours of walking, we arrived at Passeggere, a small hamlet in the Tuscany countryside. Where to Eat & Stay: Agriturismo Il Passeggere Undoubtedly my favorite place to stay on the Path of Gods, this beautiful villa has tastefully designed stone houses for guests to stay and a large hunting estate filled with deers and Tuscan pigs. Its restaurant serves outstanding game meat like deer burgers and wild boar steaks. Room rates are surprisingly affordable. Check the latest rates! Day 6: Futa Pass to Florence On the last day, we started our hike at the Futa Pass Cemetery. It was a sobering experience visiting the resting place of over 33,000 German soldiers who perished in the area during World War II. Even today, 75 years after WWII, the numbers of bodies buried here continue to increase as more of them are found. From there, we walked on to Monti di Fo where we saw the most well-preserved parts of the Roman Way. The ancient path that was built 2200 years ago was buried under 1.2m of earth when it was uncovered. Eventually we arrived at the Trebbio Castle , a particularly scenic spot where the landscape is made up of rolling green hills dotted by Tuscan farmhouses. As we still had a long way to Florence, our transport picked up and dropped us at San Piero de la Sieve where we had lunch and then took the train to Florence. Where to Eat & Stay: Residenzia Piandaccoli In Florence, I stayed at the beautiful Residenzia Piandaccoli in the countryside surrounded by rolling hills and vineyards. It’s only a 20-minute drive from the airport but you feel like you’re in the middle of the backcountry. The villa is gorgeous, with spacious apartments and pool, plus an even more beautiful backdrop of cypress trees and wineries. This was an excellent spot to end my trek! Check the latest rates here. Alternative Itinerary for the Path of the Gods Like I said, I walked only parts of the Path of Gods as I wanted to have other experiences. If you're a hardcore hiker who wants to complete the entire trek, check out this recommended itinerary. Day 1: Bologna - Badolo (19.3 km) Day 2: Badolo - Madonna dei Fornelli (27.8 km) Day 3: Madonna dei Fornelli - Monte di Fo (17.5 km) Day 4: Monte di Fo - San Piero A Sieve (21 km) Day 5: San Piero A Sieve - Olmo (19km) Day 6: Olmo - Florence (14km) The hike officially ends at the Piazza della Signoria in Florence, but it is an extremely busy spot. Many hikers choose to end their hike in Fiesole, a village on the outskirts of Florence, where you can feast on nice views of Florence without battling the crowds. I hope that this guide will help you plan your own trek on the Path of the Gods. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments field below and I'm more than happy to help! Inspired? Pin it! Disclaimer: This trip was made possible by the Emilia-Romagna Tourism and iambassador , but as always, all opinions expressed above are my own.

The Romance of Travel: Losing Faith in Venice

The sun was gleaming on the sparkling waters of Venice’s channels as I jostled my way through hundreds of tourists on the Rialto Bridge to snap a photo of the the city’s world-famous canals. The air was hot and humid, but that clearly did not prevent hordes of travelers from flooding its shore. It seemed as though the whole world had descended on Venice. Alberto and I could hardly believe that this was the place we had fallen head over heels with almost eight years ago. Back then, Venice to me was a place unlike anywhere else, with a mysterious atmosphere hanging over the narrow canals that stream through the centuries-old buildings, and a truly captivating history and setting. There was always a laidback and romantic air in the background and I indulged in every bit of it. Venice gave me my first few glimpses of the world then and it was definitely one of the places that got me hooked to travel. The Venice that we saw this time wasn’t exactly how I had remembered it. Its beauty was still undeniable, but with the shoving crowd and unbearable prices and commercialism, it had lost its appeal to me. Granted, this was merely a short stopover and we should have chosen to come during the shoulder season instead of the peak period; but whatever happened to the romance of travel? When relaxing strolls in the piazzas and delicious local meals made every bit of the experience, more so than long museum lines and overpriced hotels. When serendipitous encounters were more memorable than annoying airport security checks and badly-behaved tourists. As Cristina Odone said eloquently in h er article for The Telegraph on the romance of travel , "Travel once enjoyed a certain mystique. Think starched white suits, panama hats, and those gloriously battered leather trunks....These days, a belch, a four-letter word, an elbow in the ribs: anything goes among this new generation of travellers." I couldn’t stop questioning myself if it was Venice that had changed or if myself and today's travelers were the one who had changed. Perhaps I wasn’t managing my expectations well and this had nothing to do with Venice. Maybe a decade of traveling has left me jaded and unable to ignore the less-important things and focus on the beauty and charisma of Venice? One thing I knew was that we weren’t returning to Venice so soon, at least not until I’ve regained my faith. Have you ever fallen a place and only to disappointed upon return? We would love to hear your stories.

Exploring Tuscany on Two Wheels: Biking Lucca

Just when we were about to leave Tuscany , the sun came out (after three days of rain) and bathed the city of Lucca in a shade of gold. Our group of travelers took the opportunity to explore Lucca, biking through the city centre towards the Tuscan countryside. Armed with nothing more than our bikes and cameras in hand, we set off from the historical centre, paddled up to the city walls of Lucca and headed out to the green fields and olive groves. Our guides, Emilio Bertoncini and Serena Scalici , from Eco Guide , provided an entertaining biking experience, providing us with snippets of historical info and interesting legends along the way. As certified nature guides, both Emilio and Serena are passionate about eco-tourism and nature. Besides running these biking tours, they organize hiking trips to the nearby Monte Pisano, night walking tours in Garfagnana (the Apuane Alps) and fun-filled kids’ walks. In Emilio’s words, these tours were set up to educate people on how to appreciate our nature. Seeing Lucca from a Whole New Perspective Weaving past groups of teenagers and couples, we snapped shots of Lucca from the cycling path atop the city walls. Instead of walking through its narrow alleys, we were seeing it from above this time – a completely new perspective that got us all hooked. As we continued to snake past crowded car lanes, we left the traffic behind us and made our way towards the countryside. Within minutes, the urbanscapes were replaced by rolling green fields and cute country cottages. Grey renaissance buildings gave way to yellow Tuscan mansions and cobblestoned paths were overrun by green patches and brown earth. Our destination was the Nottolini Aqueduct , an abandoned water aqueduct hidden amidst the dense foliage of the Lucca countryside. Built in 1851, the aqueduct was designed by the famous Luccese architect, Lorenzo Nottolini (you’ll find his work all over Lucca). Biking alongside the arches of the aqueduct, we finally found ourselves at the temple-cistern. Back in those days, this neoclassical cistern collected water from the natural springs and directed them towards the city. My Verdict of the Biking Experience Despite being a rather crappy biker, I thoroughly enjoyed the biking experience – it was a great way to see the countryside and it was a good balance between adventure and leisure. Maneuvering the muddy paths leading towards the aqueduct was quite an adventure for me, but certainly an easy feat for experienced bikers. Once back in the city, paddling through the park at sunset was a relaxing way to wind down and end the journey. Whether you´re a novice like me or an expert cyclist seeking challenges, exploring Lucca on two wheels definitely gives a whole new perspective to Tuscany. *This bike tour lasts three hours and starts from the APT Tourist Office Piazza S. Maria at 4.30pm. Bookings must be made by 2pm. The tour costs 20euros (not including bike rental fee). A minimum of 1 person per group and a maximum of 15. Please refer to www.eco-guide.it for more details. This experience was made possible by Avventurosa and Casa Gentili , but all opinions are my own. Read more about my travels in Tuscany, Italy here or follow me on Twitter with the #TuscanyTrip hashtag.

Vespa Museum: A Look into Italy’s Engineering History

On a recent trip to Tuscany , I was pleasantly surprised to find myself in a childhood fantasy land. With antique aircraft, military coaches and thousands of Vespas on display, the Piaggeo Museum was quite an eye-opener for the inner child in me. The museum, located in the town of Pontedera, was just a hop away from Pisa and made for an excellent day trip. At the museum entrance, we were greeted by a gorgeous stainless steel vintage coach dating back to 1937. Since the invention of the combustion engine, Piaggeo has played an important role in Italy’s transportation history. Besides the famous Vespa, it produced numerous aircrafts, submarines and railway trains for the World War. Through the archives, exhibits and real-life prototypes on display, we took a walk into Piaggeo’s past. Here are some photos of the most interesting exhibits, enjoy! An eeclectic collection of vintage Vespas . Did you know that the Vespa was given its name because the sound of its engine and the shape of the scooter resembled a wasp (which is what the word ‘vespa’ means in Italian)? A giant scooter towering at over 50m. The Mythological Vespa, with a sword on its dashboard and alasbaster for its seat, was created by Mino Trafell. One of my favorite exhibits was the travel Vespa decorated with stickers from all over the world. The Ape (meaning ‘bee’ in Italian), similar to the tuktuks found in India and Southeast Asia, is still being used in various parts of Italy. A military scooter. The prototype of a futuristic vehicle made for a sci-fi film. *Entrance Fee to the Piaggeo Museum is free, but the 1.5-hour guided tour costs 20euros for 20 pax.

Learning to Cook Italian Food in Tuscany

Tuscany is famed for its rolling olive groves, exquisite wine and most of all, healthy, organic foods. From a whirlpool of pasta variations to a sea of pizza flavors and tender grilled meat prepared in hundreds of different ways, Tuscan food has got me bowled over. In this story, I share my personal experience of learning to cook Italian food in Tuscany. On my recent trip to Tuscany , I got the chance to get behind the kitchen and learn some tricks to making Italian cuisine . For those who want to delve into Tuscany’s cuisine beyond patronizing its restaurants and markets, there is a plethora of cooking schools that will give you some practical learning opportunities. Learning to Cook Italian Food in Tuscany With instructors from Cuoche in Vacanza , I learnt to roll up flour dough like a celebrity chef and turn raw dough to a sumptuous dish of pasta. For someone barely comfortable in the kitchen (not to mention holding a carving knife ), this was a huge achievement. Besides chopping up some tomatoes for our pre-dinner bruscettas , we concocted a steamy pot of ragu sauce and tossed belt-like strips of tagliatelle in the air before tucking into our own creations. Cooking was never this fun, or this rewarding – tasting the explosive flavors of the tagliatelle in ragu sauce and biting into the tender meat-wrapped tortellini maremmani put gratifying smiles on all our faces. Chef duo Lella Rossa and Erike Elisa , having grown up in the area, have a life-long passion for food and cooking. Cuoche in Vacanza is their brainchild: along with their jovial assistant Rosana Rosie, the duo organizes culinary classes for foreigners interested in knowing more about the region’s culinary traditions. Based out in the San Giuliano area spread out between Pisa and Lucca , the duo brings students on market tours and then shows them how to prepare a complete Tuscan meal. During our one-day cooking class, we learnt to make simple tomato bruscettas, tortelli maremmani (dumpling-like pasta stuffed with meat), tender tagliata (thinly-sliced beef topped with parmesan cheese), finished up with typical Tuscan cantucci biscuits dipped in vin santo (sweet dessert wine). As Erike dished out the last course of our meal, she said with a proud smile, “This is one of the things that make life worth living.” I couldn’t agree more. ——————————————————————————————————————————————-————————– This experience was made possible by Casa Gentili and Avventurosa , but all opinions are my own. Read more about my travels in Tuscany, Italy here or follow me on Twitter with the #TuscanyTrip hashtag. ——————————————————————————————————————————————-————————–

Photoblog: Flag-waving Ceremony in Lucca, Italy

Knees bent, chest raised, the flag-waver uses all his strength to thrust his flag high into the sky. Tension heightens amidst the crowd as the Italian national flag soars towards the San Martino bell tower. Whop! The young sbandieratore catches his flags with much precision, and the crowd roars in unison. The intense silence now explodes into a cacophony of cheers and music. I am in the medieval city of Lucca to witness Italy’s traditional flag-waving ceremony. It’s a special day for them: Italy turns 150 today and everyone is out on the streets to celebrate. Along with a group of travel bloggers, I’m here to join in the city's celebrations and explore this region. I’ll let my photos take you through the impressive flag-waving ceremony. Sbandieratores , as the flag-wavers are called in Italian, keep the tradition alive these days with occasional performances during festivals and major events. The rationale behind flag-waving is to re-enact the ceremonies that took place during the 1500s. This explains why they are usually dressed in medieval clothing. There is a lead flag-waver who plays the protagonist of the performance. It is said that back in those days, the sbandieratore who could throw the flag highest would win the girl. Judging from the performance we caught, I’m sure the lead flag-waver earned his fair share of fans. Here’s a video of him strutting his stuff at Piazza di San Martino: Lucca is best known for its flag-waving performances having given the world some of the top sbandieratores . Girls take turns to throw the flags as well. The flag-wavers are accompanied by a drumming band. We were lucky enough to witness the performance of Nikola Cosentino, famous actor and two-times winner of the National Flag-waving Championships. The two have a duet of sorts, tossing flags into the air and swopping them from one hand to the other. At the end of the performance, the lead flag-waver takes a bow. ——————————————————————————————————————————————-————————– This experience was made possible by Avventurosa and Casa Gentili , but all opinions are my own. Read more about my travels in Tuscany, Italy here or follow me on Twitter with the #TuscanyTrip hashtag. ——————————————————————————————————————————————-————————– Related Posts: Celebrating Italy’s 150th Birthday in Lucca A Culinary Trip in Rome The Undiscovered British Isle: Jersey Photoblog: Architectural Marvels in Bulgaria Culture: Street Performers in Madrid 8 of the Best Beaches in Europe

Celebrating Italy's 150th Birthday in Lucca

Splashed in the national colors of green, white and red, the streets of Lucca are buzzing in a festive mood. Powered up for Italy ’s birthday celebrations, locals take to the streets with the Italian flag in hand and pride in their hearts. Despite the drizzle, the energy is impalpable and the atmosphere contagious. It’s not everyday that I find myself participating in Italy’s 150th birthday celebration but here I am, standing amidst the crowd and cheering ‘Viva Italia!’. Accompanied by several fellow travel bloggers, I am in Tuscany, Italy with a mission: to experience local life and explore the offbeat area sandwiched between Pisa and Lucca. Organized by Avventurosa and Casa Gentili , the Tuscany Blog Trip promises to unveil secrets tucked within the region and show us Tuscany beyond Florence. READ MORE: 50 Beautiful Small Towns in Italy Lucca’s Streets Earlier that morning, we had entered the medieval city of Lucca through the old city walls that surround the entire historical quarters. Meandering our way through the cobblestoned streets and narrow alleyways, we discovered a city oozing with character and bleeding with history. Lucca swoons like an elegant maiden - its medieval streets resemble those in fairytales while its piazzas bring to mind Renaissance settings. At every street corner, we stumble upon a charming church, an impressive monument or historical building. There is plenty to discover here, yet Lucca remains off the tourist radar. Our experienced guide, Antonella Marucci, tells us, “Lucca is said to have a total of 100 churches within the historical centre, but according to investigations," she pauses for effect, “we have just 87.” Along the way, we find Italian flags draped all over the yellow-washed buildings and people with their faces painted in green, red and white. It’s a special day in Lucca today and within 10 steps into the historical quarters, we get a sense of the excitement. Street Parades and Music Along the main drag of the city, Via San Paolino , a parade is making its way into the city centre. Dressed in military wear and armed with musical instruments, the soldiers take the city by storm. Antonella tells us that some of these parade participants have lost their children in the war, and the parade is a commemoration of their sacrifice for the country. I snap a shot of a white-haired elder beaming with pride – seemingly for both his country and his son. We drift further along through the streets of Lucca before arriving at the San Michele church , a stunning Romanesque-style architectural masterpiece standing in the heart of Lucca. Spotting a white facade (symbolizing peace) emblazoned with numerous animal figures, the church was built in the Middle Age and has since been restored to its original glory. At the Piazza di San Michele, bundles of balloons and confetti have been set up to welcome the parade delegates. Here, the parades culminate and everyone gathers to sing, party and celebrate. Flag-Waving Ceremony We continue our tour of the city, arriving at the Piazza di San Martino just in time to catch an impressive display of the local flag-waving group. Sbandieratores , as the flag-wavers are called in Italian, re-enact the ceremony that used to take place since the 1500s. Lucca is best known for its flag-waving performances having given the world some of the top sbandieratores . We are lucky enough to witness the performance of Nikola Cosentino, famous actor and two-times winner of the National Flag-waving Championships. Dressed in medieval clothing, the flag-wavers throwing white-and-red flags (colors of Lucca) high in the air, wowing the crowds with their precision and skills. More photos to come in my next article on the flag-waving ceremony, stay tuned! This experience was made possible by Avventurosa and Casa Gentili , but all opinions are my own. Read more about my travels in Tuscany, Italy here or follow me on Twitter with the #TuscanyTrip hashtag. To get in touch with our guide, Antonella Marcucci , find her on facebook or contact her at +39 339 6328832. Related Posts: 10 Quirky Museums in Paris A Culinary Trip in Rome The Undiscovered British Isle: Jersey Photoblog: Architectural Marvels in Bulgaria Culture: Street Performers in Madrid 8 of the Best Beaches in Europe Celebrating Mexico’s Independence Day in Cancun

Carnival Celebrations All Around the World

It’s that time of the year again! Flamboyant costumes, larger-than-life parades and colorful street parties: Carnival is an annual festive season celebrated in various corners of the world. What started out as a Roman Catholic festival is now a massive party. One of my favorite events of the year (next to Christmas ), the Carnival stretches over a whole week or more, as revelers take to the streets and party till dawn. Some refer to it as the 5 th season of the year and it’s easy to see why. I celebrated Carnival in Rio a few years ago and it was easily the biggest party I've ever been to! Carnival Celebrations Around the World Venice, Italy The Carnevale di Venezia is the oldest Carnival celebration recorded in history with a long tradition. Each March, the streets and canals of Venice are flooded with people dressed in exquisite velvet robes and elaborated masks. Traditionally, the masks gave people of all social statuses the opportunity to celebrate together. Today, the mask has become Venice’s trademark – a symbol of mystery and sensuality. If you’re planning a trip to Venice for the Carnival be sure to book in advance to avoid disappointment. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Samba dancers, street parades, and raucous percussions: The Carnaval in Rio is without a doubt the world’s most famous Carnival celebration and has taken on incredible proportions. During this time of the year, Brazil sees the greatest influx of tourists and they account for over 80% of the year’s beer consumption. Although the Carnival originated from Europe, celebrations in Brazil have since taken on many characteristics of the African and South American culture. These days, the Carnaval celebrations in Rio are definitely the world's biggest carnival celebrations . Cologne, Germany The Carnival in Cologne is by far the most famous one in Germany . The season officially starts on November 11 th , but the most important festivities are at the end of February and the beginning of March with everything ending on Ash Wednesday. In the elaborated street parades, Carnival participants throw out candies to the crowd, while screaming, “Kölle Alaaf!”, some form of battle call. Another highlight of these street parades are the Roten Funken , acrobatic dancers similar to cheerleaders. Sitges, Spain As a popular European destination for gays throughout the whole year, Sitges (near Barcelona) is best known for having the most spectacular Carnival celebrations in Spain. Every year, up to 250,000 people visit Sitges to join in the Carnival. The celebrations start on a Thursday with a parade that welcomes King Carnestoltes (the king of Carnival). The two biggest events are Rua de la Disbauxa (Parade of Debauchery) and Rua de l'Extermini, which is the closing parade. Photo credits: David Pin , Wikipedia , carnaval2010.org , and Daniel Jove Did we forget any important Carnival celebrations? Share them with us below!