Visit the Cinque Terre walking along the Via dell’Amore

One of the most famous attractions is undoubtedly the Love Trail, between Manarola and Riomaggiore, a one-kilometer walk perched above the sea, where the stone changes step by step, marking fairy-tale caves (nothing better for romantic rendezvous), framed by whimsical agaves and pittosporums, which jut out 50 meters above the sea. But there is also the Route of the Five Ancient Sanctuaries, which overlook the coast, offering a fascinating visit opportunity: Montenero, on the road to Manarola; Our Lady, a Romanesque jewel just outside the village of Volastra; San Bernardino, on the Corniglia path; the Sanctuary of the Madonna of Reggio, above Vernazza, and that of the Madonna of Soviore, a three-quarter hour walk from Monterosso. In these churches, centuries ago, the people of the villages gathered to pray against the threat of invading Turks. Today, the ones who still climb there are women, who have not lost the habit of entrusting themselves to the Saints and the Madonna when their men are at sea. The route, which can be done on foot or on horseback, starts from the Blue Trail, which connects, halfway up the slope, Monterosso to Riomaggiore and climbs up to the medieval village of Volastra, then continuing along the Route of the Sanctuaries, through pine forests and chestnut woods, vineyards and olive groves, ridges and ravines overlooking the sea. But the Cinque Terre are also beautiful seen from the sea, thanks to the convenient and frequent boat service departing from La Spezia, Portovenere, and Levanto.