A look at the Cinque Terre

12.50 departure from Siena on the Siena-Florence dual carriageway.. - motorway section Florence-Lastra at Signa, € 0.4 ) - 14.40 S.G.C. Fi-Pi-Li, stop near Pontedera (Pi) ristorAgip, cook Volentieri from Viterbo. Excellent dishes cooked with mastery, worthy of a high-level restaurant and all at excellent prices (two first courses, two second courses, drink and cover charge € 17.34). Stop in Pisa to see the famous tower, dazzling white and a little smaller than I had imagined. We continue along the dual carriageway, destination: Cinque Terre. The road is demanding, with many hairpin bends, and the famous Via dell'Amore is packed with cars on every side. In compensation the view of the little villages is magnificent and the sea is wonderful. Walking is tiring because of the countless climbs and stairways that are almost everywhere.

For those who want to stay there is an endless series of bed and breakfasts in characteristic little houses, but we had set our minds on going up to sleep in La Spezia (it should be pointed out that the car must be left at the entrance to the village) and so we leave long before sunset, satisfied at having seen this unique natural heritage.