Lucca is Italy's most impressive fortress city, surrounded by a well preserved wall. It offers a number Romanesque churches, fun piazza's, and a bicycle ride on top of the wall around the city.
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While traveling to Sestri Levante on the Italian Riviera we were treated with our first glimpse of the Ligurian Sea, and the Carrera marble quarries in the mountains. Sestri Levante is located on a peninsula between two beautiful bays and beaches.
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The Cinque Terre is remote and offers sun, sea, and beaches. Hiking between the five major cities is another favorite past time. Riomaggiore is the largest town of the group, and is filled with pastel homes. On arrival by train you walk through a tunnel filled with interesting murals of real-life subjects.
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Manarola fills a ravine, with a harbor on one end, and a church square on the other end.
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Corniglia is the quiet town, and is situated off the waterfront. It produces a famous wine.
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Vernazza boasts having the most natural harbor, which is surrounded by terraced hills. It is "locally owned" by 500 residents.
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Monterosso al Mare is the only town built on flat land. It has a pedestrian tunnel that connects a new town (Fegina) and an old town (Centro Storico).
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Boats of the Cinque Terre! (click on image to enlarge, then on center edge to move to each image)
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