Cinque Terre, Italy

Cinque Terre is famous for the gorgeous views of the rocky landscape dotted with buildings. At the time that I visited, there were clear days, but also days of rain. I went for a hike in the rain and ended up slogging through muddy trails and paths that wound through grape vines and quiet cobblestoned streets. I kept trying to remind myself to embrace the moment, but I really just felt cold and wet and wanted to find the end of the path so I could get warm and dry!

The area has five tiny villages and I visited Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore, but did not make it to Monterosso and Vernazza. I stayed in Riomaggiore and enjoyed the gorgeous views and local spots to eat. However, the most memorable eatery I'll share below.

Trattoria dal Billy

Manarola

The restaurant is positioned on a steep street, providing a cliff side view, although not exactly set on the edge of the water. The popularity of the restaurant requires a reservation, which I did not have. However, I was sure to arrive as the restaurant was opening and was kindly offered the opportunity to wait and see if any reservation did not arrive. As luck would have it, I was seated after a short wait as I sipped a glass of white wine on the sidewalk as I kept hopes high. 

After being seated, I decided to order much too much food. Their popular lobster pasta dish as well as an assortment of single bites of seafood, each plated individually, but presented to the table at once. 

Each taste of fish was unique and perfectly balanced. I only wish that I had a list of them all, but they were only explained to me in English by the waiter and I definitely could not remember them all! This was a must have experience, so do yourself a favor and order this if you ever have the fortune of being seated in this restaurant. Unforgettable! 

Although I arrived as the restaurant opened, I did not depart until they closed! I savored the food and then was offered a variety of liquors, which I was more than willing to sample as after dinner drinks. Busily imbibing though I was, I did snap pictures of a few of the bottles, pictured below.

Basil liquor

Limoncello 

Amaro-in the biggest bottle! 

Cafe Matteo

Corniglia 

Sciacchetra wine 

A traditional wine in this region, the wine is made of Vermentino, Bosco, and Albarola grapes and is sweet, with a taste of honey, apricots, and figs. Of course I had to taste it just as part of my experience since it is made locally. It is certainly a sweet wine, as advertised! 

Gluten free pizza! I ordered pesto as my topping because this is another food item that tourists are instructed to "not miss" while in Cinque Terre. I had no complaints about this satisfying pizza and thoroughly enjoyed sitting in the outdoor square and people watching while I ate.