Crewed Yacht Charter in Italy - Cruise the Cinqueterre
The Cinqueterre takes its name from five small villages - Corniglia, Manarola, Monterosso al Mare, Riomaggiore and Vernazza - that defiantly cling to the inhospitably rugged Ligurian coastline.
They are, and have been for many centuries, practically inaccessible by land due to the harsh, steep terrain which juts up at their backs.
The best way and only way to see them from sea is by private crewed yacht charter.
Each of the five towns are located high on the cliff side at the end of a promontory.
Just at the bottom of the cliff below each town, a small harbor has been created, just big enough for working fishing boats belonging to the local citizens, and yacht tenders.
Cruising south from Portofino on your crewed charter be sure to pass by the Cinqueterre, and take the tender ashore and visit these little cliff side villages far away from the maddening crowds and virtually locked in time.
Each of the Cinqueterre towns or "five lands" has something different to offer.
Monterosso has the most famous beach, a 16th-century Capucchin monastery with some fine paintings, and an ancient castle.
There are great views of the other towns in Corniglia, along with a more secluded beach.
Vernazza, perhaps the most dramatic, juts straight out over the water, with crashing waves below to the left and a postage stamp boat harbor to the right.
High above are the ramparts of a ruined medieval tower.
Riomaggiore is hopelessly picturesque, a beehive of crumbling pastel-colored houses tumbling down to the horseshoe-shaped dock, and great snorkeling.
Manarola also has excellent swimming off the rocks.
An authentic fishing village, it is probably the most genuine of the "lands.
" One of the best ways to experience the Cinqueterre is to hike the many trails that join them.
All Riviera di Levante tourist offices can supply maps of the sentieri(paths), many of which have been marked by the Italian Alpine Club.
Be sure to ask about the current status of the trail you choose: they are constantly being closed for improvements.
The most famous is the Via del'Amore, which needs no translation.
It departs from Riomaggiore, passing tidy vineyards, olive trees, fragrant herb bushes and rocky outcrops for half an hour on its way to Manarola.
The cactus-lined Via delle Agavilinks Monterosso al Mare with Vernazza.
These are hiking trails however perched, sometimes precariously along the cliff side, that are best for sure footed users as often there are no safety rails.
These cliff side trails are the age old method of access for these villages, for the locals, their donkeys, dogs, sheep, goats, or whatever needed to move from one village to the other in the Cinqueterre.
As you cruise along this coast on your crewed charter, you can choose which towns to visit, or perhaps choose to visit all of them.
You can also choose whether you would like to hike between the villages, zip in the ship's tender between the villages or stay aboard and cruise along viewing the panoramic scenery from the comfort of your yacht.
Whichever way you choose, this is a unique location accessed by sea only by private yachts and a slice of Italian life that should be included in the itinerary of your private crewed charter along the Ligurian Coast of Italy.
They are, and have been for many centuries, practically inaccessible by land due to the harsh, steep terrain which juts up at their backs.
The best way and only way to see them from sea is by private crewed yacht charter.
Each of the five towns are located high on the cliff side at the end of a promontory.
Just at the bottom of the cliff below each town, a small harbor has been created, just big enough for working fishing boats belonging to the local citizens, and yacht tenders.
Cruising south from Portofino on your crewed charter be sure to pass by the Cinqueterre, and take the tender ashore and visit these little cliff side villages far away from the maddening crowds and virtually locked in time.
Each of the Cinqueterre towns or "five lands" has something different to offer.
Monterosso has the most famous beach, a 16th-century Capucchin monastery with some fine paintings, and an ancient castle.
There are great views of the other towns in Corniglia, along with a more secluded beach.
Vernazza, perhaps the most dramatic, juts straight out over the water, with crashing waves below to the left and a postage stamp boat harbor to the right.
High above are the ramparts of a ruined medieval tower.
Riomaggiore is hopelessly picturesque, a beehive of crumbling pastel-colored houses tumbling down to the horseshoe-shaped dock, and great snorkeling.
Manarola also has excellent swimming off the rocks.
An authentic fishing village, it is probably the most genuine of the "lands.
" One of the best ways to experience the Cinqueterre is to hike the many trails that join them.
All Riviera di Levante tourist offices can supply maps of the sentieri(paths), many of which have been marked by the Italian Alpine Club.
Be sure to ask about the current status of the trail you choose: they are constantly being closed for improvements.
The most famous is the Via del'Amore, which needs no translation.
It departs from Riomaggiore, passing tidy vineyards, olive trees, fragrant herb bushes and rocky outcrops for half an hour on its way to Manarola.
The cactus-lined Via delle Agavilinks Monterosso al Mare with Vernazza.
These are hiking trails however perched, sometimes precariously along the cliff side, that are best for sure footed users as often there are no safety rails.
These cliff side trails are the age old method of access for these villages, for the locals, their donkeys, dogs, sheep, goats, or whatever needed to move from one village to the other in the Cinqueterre.
As you cruise along this coast on your crewed charter, you can choose which towns to visit, or perhaps choose to visit all of them.
You can also choose whether you would like to hike between the villages, zip in the ship's tender between the villages or stay aboard and cruise along viewing the panoramic scenery from the comfort of your yacht.
Whichever way you choose, this is a unique location accessed by sea only by private yachts and a slice of Italian life that should be included in the itinerary of your private crewed charter along the Ligurian Coast of Italy.
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