This week let’s go to Liguria, in that stretch of coast in the province of La Spezia that we all know as the Cinque Terre, the stunning location between the sea and the mountains inculding: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. But what are the attractions, the places to visit and the specialties of this popular land? Let’s find out together in our itinerary, with regenerating stopovers at a farmhouse!
1) THE CRIB AND THE WAY OF THE CROSS OF MANAROLA
From 1961, during the Christmas season, on the hill overlooking the village, the largest illuminated nativity scene in the world is organized, whose characters are composed of thousands and thousands of lights mounted on special shapes that give a unique charm to the representation. In addition to the famous crib, during the Easter, on the same hill a bright Way of the Cross is carried out. Such events should not to be missed, they are striking and truly unique in their kind.

The Farmhouse La Via del Sale is located in Pignone, in the Regional Natural Park of Monte Marcello Magra. The farmhouse offers guests tastefully refurbished rooms and in full respect of the peasant culture, simply decorated with bright and spacious rooms. The exterior of the farmhouse is surrounded by a large garden and a grove of chestnut trees. On request you can have dinner on the farm and taste the traditional Ligurian dishes prepared with produce from the farm.

2) THE RICE CAKE AND THE COUNTRY COOKING OF RIOMAGGIORE
In Riomaggiore, a village of peasant culture, the typical dishes have nothing to do with the sea: it is the salted rice cake, which is prepared mainly during the patronal feast of St. John the Baptist. In the cold months the protagonist is the soup of the field, made with potatoes, herbs such as chard, chicory, and red valerian. Then there are the ravioli for festivals such as Carnival, and the chestnut cake, a cake made ​​with chestnut flour.

The Locanda L’Antico Borgo is a romantic villa located in one of the medieval villages near Levanto, in a panoramic position among the green of olive trees and vineyards. The roof terrace is really impressive, which offers a spectacular view of the sea. It is the ideal place to have breakfast, sunbathe and spend a romantic evening, sipping a glass of local wine. Extreme attention is devoted each day to the breakfast buffet, prepared with great variety of sweet, savory and delicious cakes. The rooms are spacious and refined, furnished simply but with taste and attention to detail: warm colors, ceilings with exposed beams, wrought iron beds that create a charming atmosphere in harmony with the environment.

3) THE FEAST OF PIRATES AND THE FESTIVALS OF VERNAZZA
The beautiful village of Vernazza has a very original tradition: the feast of the pirates, which does not have an exact date and takes place from 10pm onwards. The festival starts with the entrance into the harbor of Vernazza by pirates, accompanied by the “Batebalengo” (a percussive group) who go up the country in celebration. Every year there is the traditional patronal feast of St. Margaret of Antioch celebrated on July 20th. During the day a banquet is set in the main street and fireworks are lit in the night.

The Farmhouse Collina Torre is located in the Ligurian Apennines, near the sea of ​​the Cinque Terre and the Gulf of Tigullio. The farm, linked to Slow Food, wants to preserve the produce of the four seasons and the original flavors. The pasta is the real star: spaghetti, tagliatelle, corsetti, lasagna (with sauce, pesto or vegetables), ravioli, pansoti (with wild herbs). And then the vegetables: served as pies, or stuffed, stewed, and raw. A place of honor is occupied by bread baked in the wood oven: its fragrance, the true taste of a product made with patience, leaves in the mouth the taste of old memories.

4) THE ARCHITECTURAL PEARLS OF MONTEROSSO
There are many religious buildings worthy of note in this area: the church of St. John the Baptist dating back to 1282, the Capuchin monastery of the XVII century, the ancient hermitage of St. Anthony of Masco, and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Soviore. Then there are the remains of a fortress dating back to the domination of Obertenghi, and the beautiful Aurora Tower, a defensive position of the sixteenth century to counter the pirate raids. Finally there is the impressive statue of Neptune or the Giant in reinforced concrete, 14 meters high, built in 1910 as a decoration of Villa Pastine and damaged by bombings in World War II.

The Farmhouse Golfo dei Poeti offers apartments, rooms and suites with sea views, some of which dating back to the sixteenth century, with fireplaces to warm romantic evenings, fully equipped kitchens and air conditioning. Outside there is a large porch with wood oven and barbecue allowing you to enjoy tasty grilled meat in joy. The two swimming pools, one with Jacuzzi and waterfall, located halfway between the sky and the sea of ​​the Gulf of Poets, for a relaxing summer.

5) THE BELVEDERE AND THE STAIRCASE OF CORNIGLIA
It differs from the other villages of the Cinque Terre as it is the only village that is not directly facing the sea, but sits on top of a hill surrounded by vineyards on terraces, except for the side facing the sea. To reach Corniglia it is necessary to climb a long stairway, consisting of 33 flights with 382 steps. A breathtaking view of the entire coast of the Cinque Terre can be enjoyed from the terrace of Santa Maria and you can see the small gulf that forms the “Marina di Corniglia”. Also from this side of the mountains, you can see the shrine of Our Lady of Grace in San Bernardino.

The Farmhouse Barrani rises on an estate partly planted with vines and olive trees. From the production of wine the owners make the famous Cinque Terre DOC White Wine and the Cinque Terre Sciacchetrà D.O.C. The farm also produces fruits and vegetables for guests to enjoy the cuisine of Liguria. From here you can take a variety of trails for hiking in the Cinque Terre through the terraced fields: in these passages between the boundary walls one can see beautiful views of the gardens that smell like lemons. A staircase leads within minutes to the “Marina”, the enchanting bay below the village of Corniglia, with its cliffs.