Who: Lenny Ricci and James Curry
Where: The Village of Manarola in the Cinque Terre region of Liquria (the Cinque Terre National Park)
Best meal: The Trattoria Piccolina. I had the homemade ravioli with pesto. It was a nice, creamy, light pesto with a nutty garlic and wine sauce. Jim had the broiled sea bass sauteed with the locally grown white wine called sciacchetra (it means press and pull).
Best deal: We stayed at the most delightful bed and breakfast, called Da Baranin. Our room was a couple of minutes’ walk from the office and kitchen. Here is where they also serve breakfast, on a patio overlooking the promontory side of the cliffs. You can sip your morning espresso viewing the grapevines and walking trails that lead you high above the Ligurian Sea. A fresh selection of brioche, cookies and cakes, jams, cheese and juices were served every morning. Our room was spacious and clean and included a private bath. Not bad for 95 euros a night.
Best time to go: We were there around the end of September, and although the crowds were plentiful, it seemed like Manarola was the least crowded of the five Cinque Terre towns. The weather was just perfect. Great cool mornings for walking the trails, and nice, warm afternoons to just sit out and read.
Best travel tip: Plan to spend at least five days visiting the other towns of Riomaggiore, Corniglia, Verrazzo and Monterosso. Each one is unique and interesting. The regional FS train runs through tunnels connecting the towns and are about four minutes apart. You can also buy a Cinque Terre Card that gives you access to the many walking paths and unlimited train trips between the towns. Don’t forget to take a boat ride from Porto Venere to Levanto, where you can take incredible pictures of the whole area from a seaside perspective.
