Rick Steves points out four worthwhile destinations, all within an hour from the ... Siena, the Italian Riviera, the Swiss Alps, Paris, and London, these episodes cover Rick's favorite 3,000-mile European loop while providing viewers with essential travel skills. Focaccia originates here in the region of Liguria. The castle tower looks new because it was rebuilt after the British bombed it, chasing out the Germans (small fee, open daily). Fresh garlic, sea salt, and toasted pine nuts get mashed into a fine paste first. These zigzag every which way. With the lure of the modern world it's not easy to keep these labor-intensive traditions alive. Giuseppe: In Cinque Terre, if you know the wind, you don't need the weatherman. For me, the best bits of Italy are traffic-free — and in this unique mix of Italian culture and nature, there's not a Fiat in sight. On our Rick Steves Best of Europe in 21 Days tour, the meat of the itinerary is the middle week when we visit Venice, Florence, and Rome in rapid succession. The baker stretches dough to fit the pan, roughs it up with finger holes, adds a few simple ingredients — perhaps tomatoes and olives, drizzles olive oil, and splashes it with salty water. Rick: From Syria… If the weather's calm, hourly boats link the Cinque Terre towns. If you want the kind of beach scene that leaps to mind when you hear the word "Riviera," you'll find it here. Giuseppe: Yes, for us. The village of Corniglia, perched on a ridge, sparkles in the distance. …and a restaurant. From the beach resort half of Monterosso, a tunnel leads under the castle and into the old town. Settle into a comfy spot on the breakwater. This area is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is located on the Italian Riviera in the Liguria region of Italy. Since 1973, Rick Steves has spent about four months a year exploring Europe. Terms of Service | Privacy, Cinque Terre, Italy: Hiking Corniglia to Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italy: Manarola and Riomaggiore, Monterosso al Mare, Italy: Cinque Terre Resort Town. From the beaches to the Alps, from fine art to fine pasta, Italy has it all. But I've never seen happier, more laid-back tourists. ©2021 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Back in Vernazza, I'm enjoying the passeggiata with Irene. Above: A road in Tuscany. Tonight, we're enjoying it on gnocchi. Monica: Yes, my family, my friends. Video: Watch Italy's Riviera: Cinque Terre, an episode of the Rick Steves' Europe TV show. For a home base, choose among the five villages. No cars enter this village of 600 residents…except early on Tuesdays, when trucks and vans roll in for the weekly tailgate-party street market. Ciao. Terms of Service | Privacy, In Italy’s Cinque Terre, Views to Die For, The Enchanting Cinque Terre: Fiat-Free Italy, Pleasures of Italian Cuisine Rick: It is nice. We'll explore five rugged little port towns, ride a wine train high into the vineyards, make pesto in its birthplace, dive from spectacular cliffs, buy flowers from a singing florist, and hike — soaking up more sun and scenery than you can imagine. I'm rolling! A tower has stood guard here for a thousand years. And the son, Eros, florist by day and opera singer by night, sells flowers with a dramatic flair. Giuseppe: …in Cinque Terre, you don't need a weatherman! Rick Steves Pocket Italy's Cinque Terre contains Rick's complete Cinque Terre and Nearby Riviera Towns chapters, excerpted from his full-length Italy guidebook — and leaves out the chapters on other Italian destinations. The old castle no longer says "stay away." Ciao Maria! The families remain tight, and they go back centuries. Rick Steves (www.ricksteves.com) writes European travel guidebooks and hosts travel shows on public television and public radio. Each rugged little town is a variation on the same theme: a well-whittled pastel jumble of homes filling its ravine. Inside Rick Steves Italy 2019 you'll find: Comprehensive coverage for planning a multi-week trip to ItalyRick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money You approach the Cinque Terre by train through long, dark tunnels. Beppe: Accompagnato. From each town stretches steep, terraced hills. It's clearly a proud family operation: Miky (dad), Simonetta (mom), charming Sara (daughter, who greets guests), and the attentive but easygoing waitstaff all work hard. Hit Europe's can't-miss art, sights, and bites with Rick Steves Best of Europe!. Baker: Bye! The tangle of pastel houses lean on each other as if someone stole their crutches. While most tourists are still in their rooms, villagers — some who've never set foot in a modern mall — do their shopping. Monica: Exactly. ▲▲ Porto Venere Enchanting seafront village perfect for a scenic day trip (by boat or bus). Corniglia, the one town not on the water, feels more remote than its sisters. Until next time…keep on travelin'. Rick: 54 liters — that's a lot. ▲ Riomaggiore The most workaday of the Cinque Terre villages, with nightlife, too. Since Roman times, Corniglia has been noted for its wine-making. Hi, I'm Rick Steves, back with more of the Best of Europe. Hot out of the oven, the focaccia comes in several varieties, and is a local favorite for a quick snack to go. We start in Vernazza, where the big news is the hourly arrival of the train bringing an almost rhythmic surge of visitors into town. Monica: Exactly. No, it's great! It was carved out of these mountains just after the unification of Italy, back in the 1870s. Rick: What's an example? You'd be, again, una bellissima giornata. These hillsides have been terraced for centuries. Since 1973, Rick Steves has spent about four months a year exploring Europe. From Vernazza, the trail leads dramatically along the coast, and through the vineyards. Complimenting Monterosso's happy beach scene is Restaurant Miky. For coronavirus (COVID-19) travel information, Just sun, sea, sand — well, pebbles — and people. Ciao! One tradition that thrives oblivious to all the tourism is that special time when people are out, socializing…enjoying the cool of the early evening. Sure, it's touristy, and virtually every storefront caters to visitors' needs. Instead, it seems to welcome people-packed excursion boats. Italy's Cinque Terre is an irresistible mix of nature, culture, and human activity — well-worn locals, sunburned travelers, and inviting family-friendly piazzas. ... Castle Doria provides some great views in Vernazza; thanks to Rick Steves we learned that instead of paying the charge to go up to the top of the castle, we can grab dinner at the restaurant in the castle – Belforte. Giuseppe: Una bellissima giornata. I know everyone here. And, normally, we have after libeccio, the wind from the north, called tramontana. The traffic-free charm is a happy result of its natural isolation. While the Cinque Terre now endures the storms of the modern world, the region's charms are as endearing as its people are resilient. Rick: And people are coming every month, every year? Rick: So if you know the wind… All five villages are connected by scenic trails, much enjoyed by visitors. Their lasagne al pesto, “spaghetti on the rocks” (noodles with shellfish), and scampi crêpes are time-honored family specialties. You are happy because you are together with the people of your family, with your friends. Exploring Italy's most remote and romantic stretch of Riviera, we visit five tiny port towns: dramatic Vernazza, surrounded by vineyards; reclusive Corniglia, high on its bluff; pastel Manarola; hardscrabble Riomaggiore; and the pint-sized resort of Monterosso. And if you're married in Riomaggiore? Get inspired with Rick Steves’ recommended places to go and things to do, with tips, photos, videos, and travel information on the Italian Riviera. ▲ Corniglia Quiet hilltop village known for its cooler temperatures (it's the only one of the Cinque Terre villages set above the water), fewer tourists, and tradition of fine wines. Crumpled hills come with topographical lines: a terraced, green bouquet of cactus, grapevines, and olive trees blanketing the surrounding hills. His years as America's most popular European guidebook author blends with his relaxed but informative style to make this one of public television's most popular series. The people of these towns are proud of their heritage. Rick: Scirocco. Minimize crowds and heat by hiking early or late. Monica: Exactly, exactly. Rick: Sposato. Italian Riviera. When you come here, you must try pesto. Whether strolling through shady olive groves, enjoying wide-open vistas, or pausing for a little sunbathing on your own private rock, the hike is a delight. Andy: Looks delicious! ▲▲ Santa Margherita Ligure Easygoing old-school resort town with an enjoyable urban bustle, a handful of sights, and close proximity to Portofino. And the people of the Cinque Terre know the weather by the wind. It's served with biscotti…ideal for dunking. All their pasta is "pizza pasta" — cooked normally but finished in a bowl that's encased in a thin pizza crust. Beppe: Example, for talk about "married," in Vernazza is "sposato." The shorter Rick Steves Best of Italy guidebook focuses on Italy's top destinations and sights, is in full color, and is updated every other year. Riomaggiore, while bigger than the towns we've seen so far, is another cozy collection of homes nestled in a valley. Thanks for joining us. Series: Rick Steves' Europe European Travel Skills, Part II The second episode in this three-part mini-series distills Rick Steves' 30 years of travel experience into 30 minutes of practical advice on how to have a fun, affordable, and culturally broadening trip to Europe. Rick: Look at that, with his rolling suitcase. No, vino della Corniglia. Rick: Yeah, why? And they found Sauro in France. Explore the Italian Riviera! Rick: That's perfect! A community that I've been visiting since all of us were a lot younger. In cemeteries like these, some are buried in a graveyard, while most are in niches called loculi. I'm joining my friend Monica on one of her visits to the cemetery perched high above her town. The city was buried in an angry torrent of mud 10 feet deep. In the south of Europe is Italy, and between Florence and Genoa lies the Cinque Terre. Then the basil is added. These days the castles, which used to protect the towns from marauding pirates, guard only glorious views. Irena: Ciao! Rick: Oh. Sure, there are plenty of ups and downs…but with these views, it's well worth it. Gradually the chef works it all into a rich green sauce. Visitors climb to the top for the view and to imagine past raids. Rick: Within one week. Rick: When you come to the cemetery, it's like visiting your family. If you keep climbing, eventually you'll pop out up at the top, near the castle — handy for fleeing attacks. After a hike, it's fun to survey what you've explored. Trails can be congested. There's one main path, so you won't get lost. Built without mortar, they require almost regular maintenance. They cook the concoction in a wood-fired oven to keep in the aroma, then flambé it at your table. Vernazza's castle, which is now a grassy park with great views (and nothing but stones), still guards the town. And the craft survives to this day, with skilled artisans like Giuliano Basso. For a sweet dessert wine, sip the local Sciacchetrà. But those “five lands” aren’t the only game on the Italian Riviera. After that, we are ready for our treasured “vacation from our vacation” on the Italian Riviera. If I were ever to require a dessert, it would be their mixed sampler plate, dolce misto, which offers enough for two (closed Tue, reservations wise in summer, diners tend to dress up a bit — but it's not required). Fishing for anchovies, sipping wine out of rustic barrels, and savoring twinkling Mediterranean vistas, we enjoy the ultimate Riviera adventure. Manarola is connected to the next town by the Via dell'Amore, or Walkway of Love. Rick Steves Italy 2019 by Rick Steves - Books - Hachette Australia Your cart Email him at rick@ricksteves.com and follow his blog on Facebook. This gang rented a place with a homey living room and a small but fully equipped kitchen. 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