Cinque Terre Great Wine and Food, ITALY
Airing Date: Apr 7th, 2007
Cinque Terre covers eighteen kilometres of the sheer, rocky Ligurian coastline in northern Italy, between
Genova and
La Spezia. Known as the Italian Riviera, it boasts chic resorts, charming fishing villages and rustic hillside villages.
Built over the centuries through constant collective work, man has managed to create this landscape, the only one of its kind in the world. Cinque Terre is recognised by Unesco as "Mankind's World Heritage".
There are five stunning and remote villages, hence 'cinque', and they each have their own character. They are:
Monterosso,
Vernazza Corniglia,
Manarola and
Riomaggiore. There is virtually no car access to the villages but the main railway line between Genoa and La Spezia runs along the coast, mainly in tunnels, and the villages are only a few minutes apart from each other. However, these access difficulties are the best guarantee for its preservation.
The best way to see the villages is on foot. Centuries old footpaths and mule tracks stretch about 500 to 1,000 feet above the sea, leading through olive groves and vineyards, orchards and chestnut woods. You can hike, swim and watch the sunsets away from the tourists in the Italian cities and the French Riviera.
Because of the World Heritage listing, Cinque Terre has also been designated a National Park . The
Cinque Terre National Park is actively involved in restoring and maintaining abandoned terraces and aims to safeguard the local architecture and the protect the rich culture of grape growing in the area.
In 1997 the waters of the Cinque Terre were made a Marine Protected Area to safeguard the diverse range of animals and vegetation that are present, including several rare types of coral.
Costs & Contacts:Thai Airways International - fly return to Milan from $ 1910 ex west coast and $ 2000 ex east coast. Prices correct at 9/3/07. Prices include surcharges, fees & taxes, subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.
Cinque Terre Walk - from $ 3700 a person twin share. Includes guides, 6 nights accommodation & most meals
Call
CIT Holidays on
1300 361 500. Prices correct at 7/4/07. Subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.
