Click on "Vernazza" in the Italy gallery
for ordering and price information

At least twice at every art show this summer, someone asked us: "Do you have any pictures from the Cinque Terre in Italy?" While we do have a couple of close up restaurant photos, we didn't have anything available yet that showed the water and boats and hillsides that define the scenery in this area south of Genoa and north of La Spezia.

So, especially for the holidays, here is a photo from Vernazza - the center village of the five along the Liguria coast of Italy which I hope tells the larger story of this enchanting area. If you have had the pleasure of visiting this area, you know the other towns: Monterosso Al Mare, Corniglia, Manorola and Riomaggiore are equally beautiful and connected by a footpath that winds through cropland and vineyards high on the hills overlooking the Mediterranean sea.

If you like to hike, this is the place to stretch your legs and occasionally test your nerves in a few spots along the trail. The less adventurous way to go between the villages is by rail, which cuts through the hills and mountains. There are hotels and albergos which can be reserved online (Monterosso Al Mare seems to have the most) and many local rooms that are let out by the villagers.

If you arrive without a reservation, be sure to get there early enough so you can secure a room from one of the many rental agents who sit out on the sidewalks with a sign saying: "Albergo - Rooms - Zimmers." It is not a bad idea to check out the room before you commit to be sure it meets your expectations. Word to the wise: if you have a lot of heavy luggage or have mobility challenges, remember in Europe the ground floor is "0" and the first floor is actually our second floor. Only the larger or newer hotels have elevators.