Discover Cinque Terre in Italy aboard a luxury yacht

Aboard your luxury yacht, you now want to explore a piece of Italy by sea. Specifically, the Cinque Terre. This region is actually made up of five municipalities on the coast of the Riviera del Levant. It is a collection of small, centuries-old coastal villages. You can visit these five villages by boat, but it’s just as interesting to dock a few times to discover the wonders they have to offer. Here’s how to discover Cinque Terre aboard a luxury yacht.

The advantages of visiting Cinque Terre in Italy

Visiting Italy is already a wonderful experience. If you want to travel and discover a country like this, a visit to Cinque Terre is a must! These small villages have a unique charm. They offer fabulous scenery and are a true cultural landmark.

Visiting Cinque Terre on board a yacht has many advantages. For one thing, it allows you to appreciate the coastline of the Riviera Levante from the sea. You don’t get the same perspective when you’re on dry land.

What’s more, if you’re not keen on crowds, the boat is a great way of avoiding them. The only people you’ll meet will be those closest to you, or those travelling with you on the boat.

Your yacht will also allow you to discover sites that are difficult to see from land. The Pameria, Tino and Tinetto islands are just a few examples.

Last but not least, travelling by sea also means enjoying extraordinary maritime experiences. Travelling around Cinque Terre from your yacht, you’ll be able to spot dolphins, sperm whales and other cetaceans moving around the area.

The village of Monterosso

The village of Monterosso is the largest town in the Cinque Terre. The village is protected by hills of vineyards and olive groves. The village boasts beautiful beaches, rugged cliffs and translucent waters.

This is the place to stop when you’re sailing. If the boat takes you away from the crowds, you can still get off for a while and have a look around. It would be a shame and counterproductive to stay away for the whole journey!

Along the way, you’ll see the Aurora tower on the San Cristoforo hill. The village of Monterosso used to be defended by thirteen towers, but today only three remain: the castle, the Aurora tower and the medieval tower housing the bell of San Giovanni church. As a result, the town is culturally rich and boasts considerable tourist attractions.

The Vernazza region

Recognisable by its magnificent colourful houses and harbour full of boats, this village also boasts a pretty pebble beach. As you enter the village, you’ll be delighted by the view of the surrounding landscape. All in all, the village of Vernazza is an opportunity to learn about the work of the farmers. They modelled the slopes of the mountains in order to build the terraces. Today, the terraces are dotted with olive trees and vines, as well as orchards and gardens.

One of the places to visit is the church of Santa Margherita. This church dates back to the 14th century and is located in the centre of the village, right next to the port. It features a distinctive octagonal tower. Alternatively, there is Doria Castle. It stands on a rock overlooking the little harbour. It is quite old, dating back to the 11th century.

If you like to celebrate, you can take part in a number of events. These include the Festa di Santa Margheruta di Antioche and the Pirates’ Festival.

The town of Manarola

To talk about Manarola, it should perhaps be said that it is one of the most beautiful villages in the Cinque Terre. It was built on a cliff. The views are therefore magnificent and exceptional. It has a special cultural mark. It is renowned for the production of its wine, known as “Sciacchetrà”. This has been celebrated in texts since ancient times.

The town is particularly peaceful. The small port lies between two rocky points. The path that used to be open is easy to walk and offers a beautiful view of the sea.

The village of Corniglia

The town of Corniglia, one of the five villages of the Cinque Terre, is still as imposing as the others. The difference, however, lies in the lack of access to the sea. Getting to the village can be rather laborious. You’ll have to climb 377 steps. The village is surrounded by vineyards, which is one of its main reasons for prosperity. Unlike the other villages, the houses are much lower and narrower.

The commune of Riomaggiore

Finally, the fifth village, Riomaggiore, is a little different. It is made up of small, tightly-packed houses. The houses are so tightly packed that they create a trompe-l’œil effect that is truly astonishing. You can visit the churches of San Giovanni Battista and San Lorenzo, as well as Riomaggiore Castle.