Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is a group of villages strung along some cliffs that overlook the Ligurian Sea. Since it became both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and national park in the last couple of decades, the area has been saved from the commercialism that pervades most European cities today.

Visitors like to hike Cinque Terre's leafy crags; Via dell'Amour is a popular (and well-paved!) walk that connects Manarola with Riomaggiore.. But you can also catch some rays on the small beaches like Fossola. A boat tour is another fun way to see the area. And the tiny villages -- Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore -- provide tourists with quaint lodging and delicious Italian dining. But keep in mind that during the low tourism season (November to March), many of these accommodations and eateries close.