Listen to “292. Secrets of the Cinque Terre – Slow Travel Insights with a Local” on Spreaker.
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The Cinque Terre’s colorful cliffside villages are world-famous, but there’s so much more to uncover. Explore the region’s rich traditions, breathtaking landscapes, and the surprising truth about local food and wine – along with insider tips to experience these five lands like a true local.
Summary
In this episode, we are joined by Ligurian cookbook author and food experience curator Enrica Monzani for an insider’s look at one of Italy’s most iconic destinations – the Cinque Terre. Enrica shares her deep knowledge of the region’s food, culture, and landscape, revealing the true stories behind the postcard-perfect villages perched on dramatic cliffs above the Ligurian Sea.
What you'll learn in this episode
- You’ll hear about the first impressions of Cinque Terre, including staying in Vernazza, hiking between the villages, and discovering why locals from Genoa rarely visit as tourists, since the appeal lies more in scenery and trails than beaches
- The geography of the region is explained as “vertical land,” with villages perched on steep cliffs and farmland carved into terraces. Walking the 130km of trails is the best way to understand how people adapted to the terrain and created a symbiotic relationship with nature
- Each village has its own distinct character, from Monterosso with its beach and anchovy traditions, to Corniglia high above the sea, and Manarola with vineyards clinging to the cliffs. Contrary to popular belief, these were never fishing villages, as most residents worked the land and vineyards
- Traditional food and products play an important role in Cinque Terre life, with local specialties like wine, lemons, olive oil, honey, and simple seafood such as mussels and octopus, though agriculture has always been more central than fishing
- Modern Cinque Terre depends heavily on tourism, but strong community bonds and festivals help preserve traditions. Visitors are encouraged to stay longer, connect with locals, and support producers of wine, olive oil, and other artisanal products for a more authentic experience
Timeline Overview
- 08:34 Discover the unique beauty of the magical Cinque Terre villages, their dramatic cliffside setting, and why they hold such a special place in Italian travel
- 14:51 Overnight stays enhance local appreciation. Learn how staying overnight changes your perspective, offering a more authentic sense of village life beyond the day crowds
- 17:51 Cinque Terre's unique winemaking landscape – explore how steep terraces shape wine production and why vineyards are central to the region’s heritage
- 25:42 Find out about the artisanal products, such as limoncino, olive oil, and honey, that reflect the agricultural traditions of the area
- 31:22 Cinque Terre's identity crisis: Understand the challenges of mass tourism, the strain on community life, and efforts to preserve local culture
About our guest – Enrica Monzani from A Small Kitchen in Genoa
Enrica Monzani is a born and bred Ligurian food writer, photographer and cooking instructor. She is behind the bilingual food blog A Small Kitchen in Genoa where she shares recipes and food stories from the Italian Riviera.
She organizes regional cooking classes for visitors in her home kitchen in Genoa and on-line cooking classes in English. She also leads food tours in Genoa and other culinary retreats and experiences in Liguria. She is also now an olive oil sommelier!
Enrica's virtual Italian Riviera cooking course is available on the e-learning platform Udemy and she has joined Untold Italy Tours to design their small group Ligurian tour.
Enrica's wonderful book, full of Ligurian dishes:
Liguria in cucina: The flavours of Liguria
Follow Enrica here
Italian places, foods and concepts mentioned
Places
- Genoa (Genova in Italian) – the capital city of Liguria
- Santa Margherita Ligure – a little town just outside of Portofino
- Camogli – fishing village on the west of the peninsula of Portofino, on the Golfo Paradiso
- Monterosso – the largest of the Cinque Terre towns
- Vernazza, Riomaggiore, Corniglia, Manarola – the other 4 Cinque Terre towns
- Cantina Sassarini – wine producer on the Cinque Terre. You can book visits to the winery in Monterosso
Food / Drink
- cozze – the mussels that the locals will collect from the rocks along the coast
- anchovies – a speciality of the Cinque Terre is the salted anchovies
- limoncino – very similar to limoncello – a local liqueur made of lemons, alcohol and sugar
- Frantoio and Leccino – popular olive oil types on the Cinque Terre (different to the taggiasca olives used in the west of Liguria)
- Millefiori – honey (made with a thousand flowers)
Words / Concepts
- Via dell’Amore – gentle hiking path on the Cinque Terre, re-opened in 2024 with timed entry
- Ittiturismo – a bit like an agriturismo, where you eat the products grown on the land, an Ittiturismo is eating products caught at sea
Related content on Untold Italy
Podcasts
- Ep 227 – Pesto Perfection – A Local’s Guide to Italy’s Favorite Green Sauce
- Ep 163 – Pesto pasta and the dishes of Liguria
- Ep 133 – Delicious products to try in Liguria
- Ep 106 – Beyond the Cinque Terre – Exploring Liguria
Articles
- Liguria Travel Guide
- Ligurian food guide
- The best Cinque Terre itinerary
- Where to stay in Cinque Terre
- A Cinque Terre boat tour
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