Cinque Terre consists of five seaside villages on the Italian Riviera coastline. When I think of places to retire – this area is in the top 5! You will not want to leave after visiting Cinque Terre.

How to get there: by train on car. We decided to drive and stay in the town of Monterosso (one of the five villages). The train stations in these towns can be extremely crowded especially during peak tourist times. Fly in to Pisa or Florence for the easiest trip.

Where to stay: We chose to stay in Monterosso because it is the biggest village among the five with the most dining options. Manarola or Vernazza are great options as well. If you’re looking for cheaper accomodation, stay in the towns of La Spezia or Levanto and take the train in each day to one of the villages. A wonderful place in Monterosso is La Poesia Bed & Breakfast.

The main attraction here is the landscape (and food of course!). This area is noted for having the best coastline hiking trails in the world. The trails are even naturally infused with Mediterranean herbs – along with the views of the sea – this makes for quite the surreal experience. Cinque Terre is known for their delectable cuisine such as anchovies, mussels, and pastas – which all pair perfectly with a glass of local white wine. Dine at Miky Restaurant Monterosso for some of the best cuisine in town.

Also visit: neighboring towns of Portofino, Parma, Pisa, and Genova.