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La Spezia -

La Spezia is a point of departure for the villages of the Cinque Terre, either by train or boat. Trains run frequently from the city year round while excursion sightseeing boats depart regularly from the harbor. Pictured is the city at dusk.

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Porto Venere -

Porto Venere is a medieval fishing village situated just south of Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera. It's often referred to as the "sixth village" and romantically known as the Golfo dei Poeti for all the literary figures who came to swoon over the area's astounding natural beauty in the 19th century. Porto Venere, its three islands of Palmaria, Tino, and Tinetto, and the villages of Cinque Terre are collectively designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

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Riomaggiore -

Riomaggiore is the most southern village of the five Cinque Terre, and the first one you arrive at traveling northwest out of La Spezia. Dating back to the 13th century and celebrated for its evocative character and excellent wines, Riomaggiore is where the romantically named Via dell'Amore, or "Way of Love," begins, the hiking path linking the villages of Riomaggiore and Manarola.

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Via dell'Amore -

The Via dell'Amore was created in the 1920 to connect the isolated villages of Riomaggiore and Manarola. Its name was inspired by the fact that it provided a convenient and private meeting place for young lovers who lived in the two small towns. The spectacular path, blasted out of rock, is one of four sections of the Sentiero Azzurro, the "Blue Path," the most popular hiking trail in the Cinque Terre National Park. Note that there is a charge to use the Blue Path.

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Manarola -

The Via dell'Amore takes you to the achingly pretty clifftop village of Manarola. Arguably the most charming and romantic of the Cinque Terre destinations, Manarola may be the oldest village in the region. Its church dates back to 1338. Wine has helped put Manarola on the map, and its traditional fishing industry has operated out of the picturesque harbor for centuries.

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Hiking the Blue Path -

The second section of the Blue Path connects Manarola with Corniglia. The trail snakes through neatly combed vineyards and provides hikers with glorious views of the sea.

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Corniglia -

Corniglia sits on a rocky promontory and unlike the other villages is not directly adjacent to the sea. In fact, to reach this lofty hamlet, built on the foundations of a Roman outpost, you'll need to negotiate a steep footpath known as the Lardarina: 33 flights of stairs comprising 382 steps. From Corniglia, the Blue Path rises ever steeper and threads its way through verdant forest and terraced olive groves towards Vernazza.

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Vernazza -

Picture-perfect Vernazza is the Cinque Terre pinup. It's quite simply one of the most beautiful villages in Italy! The colorful pastel hued village is dominated by a sturdy 15th-century castle, built to deter pirates and other would-be raiders.

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Follow the path -

Following the path out of Vernazza takes you under shaded canopy and some scenic glades before reaching open land that slopes gently down to shake hands with the coast. As you near Monterosso al Mare, you're met by the tangy aroma of citrus groves and more vineyards.

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Monterosso al Mare -

The largest of the five coastal villages, Monterosso al Mare's historic center is characterized by narrow medieval streets watched over by a partly ruined castle. The destination is blessed with a collection of stunning beaches, golden bands of sand that attract a lot of tourists during the summer months. The Blue Path ends in Monterosso al Mare, as this is the last of the five villages of Cinque Terre to explore. But there's still plenty more to see!

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Cinque Terre National Park -

By following the hiking trails linking the five villages, you're effectively exploring the Cinque Terre National Park. Taking in the breathtaking Ligurian coastline of yawning bays and hidden coves lapped by warm, crystalline waters, the park packs a lot into its 39 sq km (15 sq mi). 

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Cinque Terre National Park -

The protected park is a World Heritage Site, with UNESCO recognizing the area's fabulous variety of Mediterranean flora, thriving wildlife, and, of course, the ancient villages that complement the natural landscape.

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Santa Margherita Ligure -

Santa Margherita Ligure is worth a stop for the 16th-century Castello di Santa Margherita Ligure and several handsome villas. Otherwise, grab a snack and then head further west.

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Portofino -

Portofino is one of the jewels of the Italian Riviera, a narrow coastal strip that includes nearly all of the coastline of Liguria. The town blends a traditional fishing village atmosphere with an upscale vacation resort vibe, and has long enjoyed an association with celebrity and artistic visitors. Portofino is under one hour's drive from Genoa, making it a popular day-trip excursion option.

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Camogli -

On the western side of the Portofino peninsula is Camogli. Once a seaport of considerable prestige, Camogli today is a top tourist destination. The lovely harbor is distinguished for the sunny-side-up facades of shoulder-to-shoulder townhouses lining the quay.

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Bogliasco -

Nearer still to Genoa is Bogliasco, a pleasant seaside town noted for its cluster of medieval churches and a bridge, the foundations of which are likely Roman. Bogliasco is the last town of note heading west before arriving in Genoa.

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Genoa -

Genoa, the capital of Italy's Liguria region, has much to distract the visitor. Spend a few days here taking in sights such as the Via Garibaldi Palaces, a collection of palatial 16th and 17th-century residences that were once home to Genoa's richest and most powerful families. They can all be found lining the historical center's Via Garibaldi, and are all listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Cathedral of San Lorenzo -

Genoa's magnificent Cathedral of San Lorenzo was consecrated in 1118, but wasn't completed until the 17th century.

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Cathedral interior -

The cathedral's interior is decorated by some fine artworks, including detailed ceiling frescoes in the north chapel. The must-see, however, is the Museum of the Treasury. Among the exhibits is the oldest known ark to have been used to preserve the ashes of St. John the Baptist.

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Palazzo Spinola -

Wealthy Genoese lived very well indeed, a fact exemplified by the opulently decorated Palazzo Spinola. The palace was one of the selected private residences where the notable guests of the Republic of Genoa were hosted during state visits.

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Santi Ambrogio e Andrea -

Don't forget to take a look inside the Jesuit church of Santi Ambrogio e Andrea—and be prepared to be dazzled! This is the most beautiful church in Genoa, an exercise in exuberant High Baroque style architecture with marble, gilded stucco-work, and numerous frescoes vying for the eye.

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Palazzo Reale -

The jaw-dropping splendor of Genoa's Palazzo Reale dates back to 1618 and was home to the influential aristocratic Balbi family. Linger here and take in the building's grand staircases, carved balconies, sumptuously decorated interior, and the extensive art collection housed in the palace museum.

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Palazzo San Giorgio -

And here's another Genoa palace worth seeking out. This building is where Marco Polo's famous 13th-century travelogue, 'The Travels of Marco Polo,' was written. Later it was home to one of the oldest banks in the world, the 15th-century Bank of St George. And the palace even served briefly as a prison!

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Casa di Colombo -

The other famed explorer associated with the city is, of course, Christopher Columbus (1451–506). Columbus is generally believed to have been born in Genoa. The house where it's said the navigator spent his childhood can be visited, though what you see today is an 18th-century reconstruction of the original medieval  building. The house stands just outside Genoa's 14th-century walls.

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Cloister of Sant'Andrea -

Columbus's house is within whispering distance of the delightful cloister of Sant'Andrea. The delicately carved columns and arches are all that was saved when the 12th-century monastery of Saint Andrea was knocked down in 1904 to make way for an urban development project.

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Porta Soprana, Genoa -

Looming over the little cloister is the mighty Porta Soprana, Genoa's landmark city gate that's been letting them in since 1155. The gate, together with the cloister, and the Columbus house all make for an easy sightseeing circuit.

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Piazza De Ferrari -

Situated in the heart of the city between the historical and the modern center is Piazza De Ferrari. Here you'll find some of Genoa's best shopping, and dozens of welcoming cafés, bars, and restaurants. The bronze fountain dates back to 1936.

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Lighthouse of Genoa -

Standing over the entrance to the harbor is the extraordinary Lighthouse of Genoa. Built in 1543, this marvel of medieval engineering serves as a symbol and a landmark for the city. Adjacent to the tower is the Museo della Lanterna, a museum that mainly covers the history of the city and the port.

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Need a lift? -

Genoa harbor is also home to the quirky Bigo, an elevator inspired by the cranes working at the docks, which transports passengers in a cabin up to 40 m (131 ft) above the water. It was designed by the distinguished Italian architect Renzo Piano.

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Boccadasse -

In a nod perhaps to the quaint villages of Cinque Terre, Genoa has its own picturesque seaside hamlet in the shape of Boccadasse. This old mariner's village is wonderfully untouched by the nearby urban sprawl and has managed to retain its 19th-century character.

Sources: (Smithsonian Magazine) (Musei di Genova) (Biography) 

See also: Bet you didn't know these movies were shot in Italy!

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