Tiered olive groves and vineyards cascade down a slope towards buildings in shades of terracotta, vermillion and sage. The belltower of the 14th-century Church of Santa Margherita d’Antiochia overlooks a natural harbour where the water is twinkling on a cloudless day.
My first glimpse of the Cinque Terre town of Vernazza was undeniably spectacular as was my walk there from Monterosso. Even the steep-stepped climbs were forgiven thanks to my surroundings of lemon groves, pine trees, cacti and wildflowers such as red valerian and yellow broom.
But it was tricky to pause and properly soak up the scenery as I was in a procession of other walkers.
Shorts
The terraces of the Italian Riviera (Photo: Inntravel)
