Ah, Cinque Terre! You are bellissimo! Magnifico! Beyond compare, even when overrun by the sweaty hordes Rick Steves unleashed ...

Visitors flock to this part of northwest Italy, chasing their own version of la dolce vita, the sweet life. And they come to hike.

How best to see Italy’s dreamy Ligurian coast? Follow the ancient cobblestoned paths that wind from town to town.

EXCLUSIVE: For me, travelling in March is all about visiting the places that see the most crowds in the summer.

This applies to Vernazza, too, which some consider to be the most crowded town in the Cinque Terre. However, Rick Steves writes on his website that the tour groups don't stick around for long.

How best to see Italy’s dreamy ... of visitors—primarily to the stylish town of Portofino—the peninsula tends to be overshadowed by the Cinque Terre, which I first visited after graduating ...

The trail with the best ocean views is from Vernazza to ... the train that runs along the coast and stops at each town. Cinque Terre also has gorgeous beaches where you can catch some rays ...

To find the trailhead, head to the eastern part of the old town of Monterosso and look ... purchased admission to the Parco Nazionale Cinque Terre, you'll have to pay a few euros near the trailhead.

who included the route in a round-up of the continent's best scenic train journeys. The five towns that form the Cinque Terre also inspired the landscapes and settings in the hit Disney film Luca.

Top Destinations for a Luxury Yacht Charter in Italy, and Experiences to Enjoy on a Luxury Yacht Charter in Italy.