13 Apr Incentive in Cinque Terre

Discovering Italy: Incentive in Cinque Terre

Italy is rich in beautiful spots; but not many of them have the same charm as the Cinque Terre. Literally “Five Lands”, these are five little cities in the Italian region of Liguria. All around is a protected territory, so that the landscape has remained unchanged for decades. Typical Ligurian brightly colored houses, ancient churches, green of woods and deep blue of sea… an Incentive in Cinque Terre is a fabulous solution for both a private trip or a corporate team building in Italy!

What to see?

The five cities are, from north to south, Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Monterosso is the biggest and the most famous. It is also the one with the biggest number of beaches: you can choose the one in front of the historical center, or walk through a tunnel to reach a bigger beach on the other side of the mountain. You will find white sand, so rare in Liguria, and crystal clear water. But in Monterosso there are also a lot of monuments to visit. Climb up to the statue of Saint Francis of Assisi and you won’t regret: the view on the gulf is marvelous!

The other Terre, except Corniglia which is high on the rocks and can be reached only by train or by feet, also give access to the sea. All of them are typical Ligurian cities with colored facades and narrow streets, and offer many services to tourists. In everyone we will find some place to eat, that can be just a small bar with fried fish and ice-cream, or a nice restaurant with the view on the gulf.

Besides the Cinque Terre, on the side of Riomaggiore, there is one more city to visit: Portovenere. It offers enchanting spots thanks to its ancient and medieval ruins, that can be visited in a few hours. Portovenere is linked to the Cinque Terre with a boat, so that you can visit all of them together.

On the other side of the gulf, if you don’t like meeting too many tourists on your way, we can recommend Sestri Levante. It’s a charming city with one of the most beautiful beaches in Liguria, Baia del Silenzio (Bay of Silence). With its smooth sand and its calm waters, it’s perfect for a day with your family or friends… and don’t forget to take an aperitivo on the beach!

How to travel?

Cinque Terre are a protected territory, so that you can’t reach them by car. We can take train: there’s one every 30 minutes in both directions, that takes just 10 minutes to get us from one city to another. There’s the possibility of making a daily pass, that will let you hop on and off the train all day long in both directions.

A more fascinating way to travel during our incentive at Cinque Terre is to take the boat, that stops in all of them except Corniglia. The experience is remarkable! We will enjoy the sun and the wind of open sea while watching the beautiful Ligurian coast. Just like for the train, there’s a daily pass (it can be done in one way or both ways) that will let you travel on the boat for the whole day. But mind that the service stops in the evening. So, if you want to have a romantic dinner and to enjoy the view of the gulf by moonlight, you will have to get back by train!

The most romantic way to travel between the Cinque Terre has always been Via dell’Amore or Way of Love, a a pedestrian street that links Riomaggiore to Manarola overlooking the sea with breathtaking views. Unfortunately, from 2012 it is shut down for repairs after a rockslide, so that only 200 meters are visitable. Other pedestrian streets are instead visitable, especially the one between Vernazza and Monterosso, named Sentiero Azzurro or Blue Path. It takes a little less than 2 hours by feet, so if the day is not particularly hot, you definitely should try.

Where to eat?

Cinque Terre do not offer only beautiful landscapes and adventures in the open sea. We will also think about the relax of our body and mind. There are some really nice cafes and restaurants where we can enjoy local cuisine… with a breathtaking view!

What to eat in Liguria? Of course, all the kinds of focaccia and farinata (unleavened pancake or crêpe of chickpea flour); basil pesto; and local fish. You should also try the local dessert wine, Sciacchetrà. All of these things can be found in any restaurant or bar in the cities, but if you contact us, we will give you some suggestions to find the best places in the region.

And since we’re talking… why not to try a Cooking Class Team Building with your team mates? You could discover the recipes of pesto and fresh handmade pasta, or even learn to make authentic Italian pizza! It will enrich your incentive in Cinque Terre with an unforgettable experience. And to eat the food you just prepared with your own hands is a great way to have fun and boost team spirit!

Incentive in Cinque Terre… with a Pirate Treasure Hunt?

And what if we have the spirit of adventurers? The solution is there: add to your incentive in Cinque Terre a Treasure Hunt done visiting some of the cities or even all of them by boat. But there is an even more exciting option: Pirate Treasure Hunt! A mysterious map will guide us on the search of hidden treasures… in the open sea and on the shore!

Let’s discover Liguria together with Incentive in Cinque Terre! Click HERE to contact us and start planning your visit to Italy.