The northernmost village of Monterosso has the sandy beach. Next is picturesque Vernazza, with round harbor guarding pastel buildings. Corniglia is perched highest above the water.

Last June, we spent almost a week in Vernazza, Italy, and had the chance to explore the five towns that make up the Cinque Terre area. These five coastal communities each have unique personalities.

Corniglia is the smallest of the Cinque Terre villages, and the only one perched on a cliff — it's a 377-step climb (or an easy bus ride) from the train station to the village.

Cinque Terre is a group of cinque (five) villages — Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola, Riomaggiore and Corniglia — strung along cliffs that overlook the Ligurian Sea. Since it became both a ...

The "five lands" of Italy's Cinque Terre, a string of small villages along a steep and rugged section of the Mediterranean coast, are connected via a hiking trail and a train. The villages ...

-Corniglia o Cinque Terre. -That's better. [Laughs] [Speaking Italian] STEVES: At the windy end of town is a belvedere, a breathtaking lookout perched high above the sea.

But Monterosso does have the Cinque Terre’s best beaches. It’s also known for Convent of the Capuchin Friars, nicely situated on a massive seaside rock in the middle of town.

Skip town at midday. Cruisers and day-trippers start pouring into the Cinque Terre around 10 a.m. and typically head out by 5 p.m. Those midday hours are your time to hit the beach or find a hike ...

Milan is the best international gateway to Cinque Terre. From Milan’s Central Station (Milano Centrale), it’s a three-hour train ride to Monterosso for $30. Add another $10 for First-Class ...

The most remote of all of Cinque Terre's towns, Corniglia is bookended by beaches. You can reach it through a set of steps that leads from the train station and the secluded spot will be worth all ...