There are places in the world that take your breath away and instantly steal your heart. For me, Italy’s Cinque Terre is one of those places. The rugged Italian coastline that makes up the Cinque Terre (Italian for “five lands”) attracts visitors from all over the world.

The villages of Cinque Terre are different from most cities in Italy; here you won’t find many of the “must-see” sights that people often associate with travel in Italy, like museums, Roman ruins, or castles. Instead what you’ll find are five distinct villages that embrace the natural Italian beauty surrounding them and beckon you to enjoy a slower pace during your time in Italy.