One of my favourite trekking tours which I enjoy leading in Italy is without doubt the Cinque Terre.
There are two reasons for this - one is for the spectacular nature and the other is a bit more “pagan”. In the Cinque Terre, the land’s beauty is at her maximum peak. We can immerse ourselves in nature by walking along hiking trails which run along a coastal cliff linking five entire lands or villages. Pathways, kissed by the western sun on one side and green coloured vines and olive groves on the other, overlook the sea. These waters are an array of blue tonal hues, from the deep ultramarine to cobalt.
Agaves, Vines, Pine Trees, Red valarian. This is a very inspiring place for artists. One name stands out above all, the poet Eugenio Montale. He lived in Monterosso and received the Nobel prize in 1970’s for the celebrated poem, “Ossi di sepia” (Squid bones). In this poem, “Nature” is the vivid protagonist, which we can breathe, see and smell by listening to his verses.
The other reason I love the Cinque Terre - if I may say it – is that each time I come back home I lose a couple of pounds, like if I went to a Wellness Centre and had a beauty treatment! Sure, hiking by the Mediterranean sea, eating only fish for seven days… the energy and colour of the land leave a sparkle in my eye, for months!
Come try it, I will lead you there to experiment and live it!
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