Cinque Terre Information

Cinque Terre is an out-of-the-way region of Italy's Ligurian
Mediterranean coast comprised of the five villages of Monterosso al
Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.

* Monterosso al Mare

* Vernazza

Ancient towers close at 19:00.

Pizzeria Fratelli Basso on Via Roma serves farinata.

* Corniglia

Bar Nunzio :: glass of local wine w/ olives EUR 2

* Manarola

La Cantina Dello Zio Bramante :: fresh anchovies w/ lemon and olive
oil, good night life

Aristide Cafe :: cheapest espressi macchiatti (EUR 0.70)

5 Terre Gelateria e Creperia :: best gelateria in CT

Swimming from cement pier. "Nice."

* Riomaggiore

Castello was already described as ancient when first documented in
mid-500s.

Assortment of cafes, bars, restaurants, and gelaterie on main street,
Via Colombo.

"Bar & Vini, perched on the mountain above the sea, is an excellent
place for a summer night."

* Swimming

  - Large, sandy beach at Monterosso. Rest are rocky.
  - Small beach at Vernazza harbor.
  - Manarola swimming from rocks.
  - Guvano beach between Vernazza and Corniglia. Swimming suits optional.


* Local specialties

** Foods

Trofie :: pasta made from chestnut or wheat flour

Pesto: :: sauce made from basil leaves, olive oil, grated cheese,
pine nuts, and marjoram

Tagliatelle :: broad pasta served with sauces of mushrooms, cabbage
and potatoes, beans, chickpeas, or pesto

Torte di verdura :: vegetable pies stuffed with borage, parsley,
marjoram, wild herbs, artichokes, swiss chard, zucchini, potatoes,
and leeks combined w/ egg and ricotta cheese or stale bread soaked in
milk or bechamel sauce, parmesan cheese.

Torta di riso :: Rice pie

Frittate :: flat omelettes

Acciuga :: anchovies

Cotoletta di acciuga :: anchovies stuffed w/ breadcrumbs and fried

Fritelle di bianchetti :: fritters mad from newborn anchovies or
sardines

Farinata :: bread similar to focaccia but made w/ chickpea flour

Stewed cuttlefish, stuffed calamari, spced octopus, mussels

** Wines

- "Cinque Terre"
- Sciacchetra
- Limoncino

* Flood of 2011

The area experienced terrible flooding in October 2011. Recovery has
been quick since the area depends on tourism, but some trails appear
to be still closed (e.g. Corniglia-Manarola).

Travel blogger Rick Steves recommends visiting the area in 2012 as the
best way to help with the area's recovery.







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