It is just past midnight in the village of Riomaggiore on Italy\u2019s Liguria coast. My inn owner quickly explains to me that there is a shortcut to my rented room for the weekend and a longer route to collapsing for the night. I don\u2019t mind cutting corners so I agree to the shortcut. Little did I know, the shortcut would be straight up the side of a cliff. I conquered the Italian stair-master in the early hours of the morning, just one component to the Cinque Terre.<\/p>\n
As Columbus Day<\/a> kicks off this week, I can\u2019t help but consider the home of Christopher. He was born just up the road in Genoa. Huffing and puffing, I finally make it with suitcase in hand to my rented room. The view at the end of my climb features countless colorful buildings clinging to a cliff and the moon lighting up the sea in a hue of true midnight blue. I can\u2019t fathom why someone would even contemplate leaving this corner of Italy to discover somewhere else, Columbus included. Italy\u2019s Cinque Terre is easily one of the country\u2019s most inspiring places. If you want to be inspired perhaps like old Chris could have been by his backyard, here is a guide to conquering the area. Meaning \u201cthe five lands\u201d in Italian, the Cinque Terre is comprised of five towns carved into the Liguria coast. The towns include Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. They remain connected by a series of paths and hiking trails. It is the hike through the five towns that has attracted many to this slice of the Italian Riviera.<\/p>\n
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\nWhat is the Cinque Terre?<\/strong><\/p>\n