Even just a few hours amid the splendours of the Cinque Terre will be time well spent! The reasons for opting for chauffeur-driven car rental touring in Riomaggiore, Manarola, Cornigia, Vernazza and Monterosso are really quite simple. It’s the ideal way to enjoy an unforgettable time in this part of the world, furthermore in full safety, and comfort.
What should you see when you come to the Cinque Terre? Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. Discover them by car. Travel comfortably. Your personal driver shall also provide his/her services as a guide.

Everyone starts out on their Cinque Terre journey of discovery from Riomaggiore, a charming small town. Riomaggiore is the first of the settlements of the five lands, or Cinque Terre, that you reach from La Spezia. Riomaggiore presents to the eye typically for this part of the world. We see a ‘stairway’ that clinging to the an outcrop sloping away from the settlement, step by step upward. This township features a small waterway, tracing the depths of the steep rocky slopes to which the town clings and an extremely narrow valley bed. The houses therefore have to cling, as it were, the one to the other − rather as if they were scared they might fall in, like timid little girls (so to speak). The overall effect is one of charm… and even magic.
The true charm of Riomaggiore, a Cinque Terre settlement, is to be found along its stepped footways leading upward. Climbing is very much a part of the poetry of the place, what with its tower-like dwellings (case-torri) that seem to represent, by their very presence, a challenge to nature itself. A challenge… rather like certain ladies who, while no longer young, and while admittedly decidedly elegant, are also slightly ‘over the top’ in their appearance. The main street is a former watercourse, which gives its name to the settlement itself (originally known as the rivus maior). The stones, the slating, the yellow of the plasterwork and the delicate pink of the roofs all set the tone of the scene before us, and – truth to tell – within the visitors’ soul itself. Perhaps we’ve fallen in love with the place already, bringing with it the pain of separation… as we move on – reluctantly – to the next stage of our tour!
What else is there to see in Riomaggiore apart from the ‘case-torri’, clinging for support desperately to each other? Riomaggiore is one of the settlements of a nature reserve, Parco Naturale delle Cinque Terre. Nature, the main attraction here, may be enjoyed during health-giving walks taking us from this small town where time seems to have come to a halt.
The sights of interest in Riomaggiore include the town’s castle. Castello di Riomaggiore – also known as Castellazzo di Cerricò – is a fortress dating back to the fifteenth century. It may be reached via the parvis way before the church of San Giovanni Battista. This church, too, is one of the main sights of Riomaggiore. Located in the upper part of the settlement, it was constructed in the early fourteenth century and was renovated over the years. It is a fully Gothic church, notable for its fine adornments. Toward the end of the nineteenth century, the church was renovated, with extension work also added in the Neo-Gothic style. Inside, we find a fascinatingly artistic wooden crucifix and various other works of art, such as the pulpit with its bas-relief representation of St Martin.
Other sights of importance in Riomaggiore include the two oratories, Oratorio dei Disciplinati and Oratorio di San Rocco, the sanctuary of Our Lady of Montenero and the small harbour itself of Riomaggiore. The harbour still magically evokes memories of eras long past.

Manarola is one of those places that Fate kindly places in our way when she feels we truly deserve a break from the stress of daily life! Manarola is a large step removed from urban life, to be enjoyed at least for an hour or two. It is renowned for its sweet wine, known as Sciacchetrà. The town itself might be considered a toast to its own wine… and to life itself. With its wine production and traditional love of the small things of life, Manarola is a perfect haven for visitors who come to recover lost energy through contemplation of the beauty we find in simplicity.
Manarola is a settlement embraced and lulled by nature. The vines thrive here, providing some of Liguria’s finest wines. The hallmark qualities of the town are seen in its wine, its ‘joie de vivre’ approach to life, and its simplicity. Here, things are done calmly. Here, our feelings are more intensified sincerer. Manarola − a tiny corner of paradise – is well known for its Crib, inspired each year by the celebration of the day dedicated to the Immaculate Virgin Mary (8 December) and lasting through the festive season to the end of January. But Manarola is also its colourful homes, the romance of a heritage that takes us back to the glories of the Middle Ages, and a romantically small harbour (with its single ramp for the boats). Climb from the square in the centre of town up to Punta Bonfiglio for a marvellous view of the surroundings. Why not also enjoy a drop of Sciacchetrà wine during your visit there? Amid the fragrances of lemon, wild herbs and the sea.
All it takes is one visit to Manarola to appreciate its essentially elegant attractions. Just one visit and even the most sceptical among us will understand what we mean. We recommend an excursion starting out from Piazza Papa Innocenzo IV, in the upper borough of the town, stopping off at the Oratorio dei Disciplinanti, the church of San Lorenzo, and the belfry (incomplete to this day) flanking this modest place of worship. Explore the streets and alleyways leading away from the main square, that lead us on − like blood vessels, or like life itself (feeding, that is, the town’s beauty). The local traditional bistros, eateries and craft shops will delight the eye and warm the heart. Check out the marvellous old mill, too, and the way leading back from Via Belvedere to the port.

After the delights of Manarola, we soon reach Corniglia, where silence and simplicity reign marvellously supreme. The small rocky promontory (of a height of some 100 metres) is surmounted by much if the settlement. The location is one that inspires our admiration, with more than a hint of nostalgia.
On three sides, Corniglia is cradled by marvellously fragrant vineyards, sweetening both the air and the soil. Visitors cannot help but feel the inebriation of contact with this urban ‘gem’ at the very heart of the Cinque Terre area, within easy reach of all other major sights and attractions… both near and decidedly separate, apart. There is a certain sense of agitation that even the beauty of the sea views cannot prevail against. The Via Fiesci leads away from Corniglia. The houses here are less narrow than in the other Cinque Terre townships. There is greater sense of tranquillity in their manner of construction: small, low − glimpsed at perhaps for just a second in passing (but the visitor will smile in appreciation before moving on). One side is landward. The other seaward. Halves that denote the uniqueness of the place. This dual nature can also be seen in the surrounding landscape. Indeed, wherever the eye rests, you’ll quite likely fall in love instantly with all that you see − with Corniglia and with Cinque Terre as a whole.
The main street of Corniglia leads to the church of San Pietro. It leads on to the terrace of Santa Maria, with its vistas over the surroundings below. From this terrace, visitors see what may be described as yet another portion of heaven on Earth. Corniglia is presumably of medieval origin, as may perhaps be seen if you look carefully at the walls, to find architectural relics and small sculptural works. The route takes us to the Piazzetta Ciapara square and then along the ‘carruggio’ (narrow street) and on to the town centre, Largo Taragio.
The oratory of Santa Caterina, the Torre (tower) and the charming seafront – with its small port hosting a few boats scattered here and there – are most surely among the key attractions of Corniglia.

On the way to Monterosso, on any Cinque Terre itinerary, one absolutely must stop off at Vernazza – a charming location that still evokes its maritime past. Notable too are the pale colour schemes of the houses, the small square facing the sea and the overall setting (amid the stepped, rugged terracing that is very much a part of the Cinque Terre landscape).
Vernazza is traditionally a fishing settlement, a blend of seascapes and mountain heights, sea breezes and wilderness.
This small village of the Cinque Terre is considered one of the finest local sights. However, such locations are very much a part of Liguria as a whole (port, colourful dwellings, marvellous seascapes). The village is to be found on maps dating back to the dawn of the second millennium. Furthermore, it was once a Roman settlement, as well as a haven and transit point for the Ligurians, on the lookout for new territories in which to settle. In the late thirteenth century, Vernazza officially became a part of the Maritime Republic of Genoa, among this republic’s possessions. Considerable fortification work was required, given the frequent pirate raids. A period of prosperity and wellbeing was followed – here too – by famine and oil and vine crop failures (the main products of Vernazza as a commercial entity). The people of Liguria are not inclined to bow under the pressure of such untoward circumstances. They cultivated new areas, and their currency began to circulate once more. Indeed, the quality of the products here has remained unchanged to this day, attesting also to Venazza’s bold presence among the locations of this area.
The local wines, olive oil and cuisine should certainly be sampled. So, what else does Vernazza offer us? A visit to the Doria castle is a definite ‘must’ on our itinerary, also because of the magnificent views it affords. It is indeed a rather unique sight of historical interest. In the Middle Ages, it protected the settlement from marauding pirates. The old church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia (of the fourteenth century) should also be visited. We also recommend a walk along Via Roma to Piazzetta Marconi where we may wish to pause briefly for an aperitif.
Vernazza also boasts the small chapel of Santa Marta and the old railway station. Wherever you are in this settlement, you will be sure to find a narrow street that will lead you on toward the sea, which is such a dominant feature here.

At times we are at a loss for words to describe the charms of the Cinque Terre area. On reaching Monterosso al Mare, for example, time seems to have stood perfectly still. Your life up to this point is something else. Monterosso al Mare emits an aura of positiveness, disturbed only by the call of the sea. The place is admittedly no more attractive than the other locations − but a visit to the pebbly beach, the sight of the sunlight caressing the waves, the shady trees and the deep call of the sea are surely hypnotic in effect, telling us we should pause here if we possibly can, and step back from the world as we generally know it.
Monterosso may be easily reached by car. There are many possible starting points for our visit here. In addition to the old town, we also have a newer zone, called Fegina. The two zones of Monterosso al Mare are linked by a small tunnel through the San Cristoforo promontory. Yet another special feature of the Cinque Terre! But, then again, is there anything that isn’t special about this part of the world? ‘Normality’ is a foreign concept here. Given the beauties of the place, all is ‘abnormal’. Think, too, of the extraordinary lemons that grow here, the vineyards and the olive groves. Think of the fragrances that drift into in the township of Monterosso a Mare itself. A bouquet, so to speak, of fragrances that act as a balm for the soul itself, alongside the beauties of the place, the delights of the local cuisine and the stunning panoramic views. As is the case for all the Cinque Terre villages, Monterosso dates back to the Middle Ages. While repeatedly threatened by pirates, Monterosso a Mare also had to defend itself from the neighbouring villages. Hence the numerous defence works that can still be seen today in the upper part of the settlement, once reached only by a mule track and narrow pathways leading upward.
What is to be seen at Monterosso a Mare? Most surely, the charming old town, which still boasts its old walls and the Castello di Fieschi fortress with its Torre Aurora, tower. Visitors should also check out the church of San Giovanni Battista and the nearby monastery of the Capuchins. Enjoy an aperitif as you pause amid Monterosso’s colourful dwellings at one of the many bars or bistros greeting visitors here, where you will also enjoy the cooling Ligurian breezes.
Be sure not to miss out on the other part of Monterosso, now known as Fegina, stretching from the San Cristoforo promontory to Punta Mesco. Stroll along Fegina’s seafront and small beach. Pause to admire the signs of a newer life for this part of the world – embodied by the statue of Neptune and Villa Pastine.