Five colourful villages perched between the sky and the sea. On these steep, rocky slopes, man has fashioned thousands of kilometres of dry-stone walls to support the terraced vineyards and olive groves that have enabled them to survive. Protected by a national park that pays great attention to preserving their cultural and environmental heritage, the Cinque Terre are villages of authentic charm and an unspoilt hinterland criss-crossed by ancient paths that are best explored out of season.