"Manarola - The Quiet Life in Cinque... " a Manarola Travel Page by Lacristina

Of all the places we could have chosen as a base, I'm so glad we chose Manarola. Perhaps the least touristy of the five Cinque Terre towns, and yet good choices for restaurants and a lovely B&B. I owe my friend EllenH of VT the thanks for our choice - she was the one who steered us to Manarola.

I had seen photos, I had heard the praise - but nothing could have prepared me for the incredible beauty of this place. I NEED to come back. I WILL come back. Carissimo, are you listening?

This place is magical. The July nights were warm. Sounds of the sea, children laughing wildly at a puppet show in the piazza at dusk, the smells of "vongole alla marinara" (mussels in wine and garlic) permeating the air, and much later, a cat crossing the piazza so quietly. Do I have to go to sleep?

We ate dinner as the sun set on the coast - the wine was excellent. The food, good lord, the food. Every dinner, surpassing the last, only because it was in front of us at the moment. Then a stroll, a last stroll through the town, and we hear a guitar. We look up. How is it possible to end our trip so perfectly? Thank you, Manarola.