Blue bliss- How to reach Cinque Terre?

Blue bliss- How to reach Cinque Terre?

A beautiful blue trail down five villages that make up the gorgeous Italian destination Cinque Terre

The train rushes past a splay of apartment buildings and supermarkets before plunging into a tunnel. The passengers look around, mildly bored with the darkness punctuated by the glow from their cell phones. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and as the train bursts into the sunshine there is a collective gasp from everyone. On the right is a cliff, but over the left is a vast expanse of shimmering blue as far as the eye can see. The train has pulled into Riomaggiore in stunning Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage site of rugged coastline, which literally translates to ‘five lands’. This idyllic group of fishing villages in the Italian Riviera is a spectacular part of the country with aquamarine waters, dramatic coastal scenery, terraced farms, and like most of Italy, spectacular food.

Cinque Terre, Italy
Image courtesy-Pixabay

Walk this way

Meandering along the coastline through vineyards, olive groves, coastal jungle and terraced farms are hiking trails that connect the five villages and offer the best way to experience the region. Though the villages are connected by train, walking the Cinque Terre is recommended. One could do the entire trail over 6-8 hours but stop for refuelling along the way. And if you want to quit (you’ll have to either go on to the next village or backtrack to the previous one) you can always catch the train back or forth to one of the villages. Stop for some freshly squeezed orange juice or a glass of wine, lunch or snack at one of the villages, or take a dip in the achingly blue waters.

The Sentiero Azuro, aka the Blue Trail or Trail #2, is the most popular of the lot with four individual paths along the coast. You can hike in either direction, starting from the last town of Monterosso towards Riomaggiore or the other way around. From Riomaggiore to Manarola is the Via dell’Amore with its famous kissing statue, benches and tunnel plastered in declarations of love. The next section between Manarola and Corniglia has beautiful garden and sea views. Travelling between Corniglia and Vernazza, the trail goes from the highest point of the Cinque Terre and then slopes back. Saving the best for the last, the trail between Vernazza and the last town of all five villages is a real highlight.

Boat, Cinque Terre
Image courtesy- Pixabay

Here comes the sun

The informal capital, Riomaggiore, is also the largest of the five villages, its main street busting with cafes, pubs, shops amid its colourful sprawl of buildings in yellows and oranges -quintessential colors of the region. People emerge on to the street from alleys, which hide doorways up to a multitude of guest rooms and apartments for the throng of visitors to the region. It is about 20 min until sunset and everyone is moving to the harbour, drawn like moths of a flame to the spectacular show about to begin. There are fabulous views of the sunset at several parts of Cinque Terre, but a favourite is at the marina of Riomaggiore. The pastel shades of the buildings are aglow in the evening sun. Fancy cameras, professional videographers and selfie sticks are on the ready as the sun starts to gradually descend. All eyes are only on the golden sphere ahead of us, which is sinking deeper into the sea, colouring the sky in a riot of blazing orange, red and purple. Just as it disappears there is a thunderous applause from the crowd, appreciation for a riveting show.

Food, glorious food

Pesto alla Genovese, Cinque Terre
Pesto alla Genovese
Image courtesy- splendidtable.org
For the recipe, please visit- https://www.splendidtable.org/recipes/pesto-alla-genovese

To help refuel after all the walking is a great variety of food. The cuisine is rustic and fresh, featuring local produce harvested in the sea, steep terraced farms and vineyards along the cliffs. There is a variety of pasta encased in the fragrant basil that is grown in the region; freshly baked focaccia seasoned with just salt and olive oil or topped with cheese or sausage; paper cones piled high with fried calamari which can be washed down with some beer; or a hearty seafood platter to enjoy the fresh catch of the day. Pesto alla Genovese is the region’s most iconic dish comprising basil leaves from Genoa, pine huts, Peccorino and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeses, garlic, salt and olive oil.

The Cinque Terre Lands
Riomaggiore-chiesa San Giovanni Battista-rosone, Cinque Terre
Riomaggiore-chiesa San Giovanni Battista-rosone
Image courtesy- Davide Papalini, Wikimedia.org

Each village of Cinque Terre lends itself to lazy wandering and discovery. One of the region’s most romantic sights is the pastel buildings of Riomaggiore steeply flanking the tiny harbour, views of which are best appreciated at sunset. A botanical garden and bird watching center; little shops selling lemon soap, jars of pesto and bottles of Sciacchetra; bustling bars and restaurants; and the Church of San Giovanni Battista are some of the attractions around the town. The village next in line is Manarola, which has more grapevines than the other villages and is also believed to be the oldest of the five because of various medieval relics. Overall, a picturesque village vacation you’ll never get over.


This article has been authored by Reem Khokhar. The above article has been published in a newspaper- The Times of India- Times Life

How to reach Cinque Terre?

  • You need to reach Italy and then to Cinque Terre
  • Which airport you choose to fly in and out of depends on (apart from price) how long you plan to visit Italy and where you plan to travel.
  • The major airport for traveling in northern Italy (Venice, Lake of Garda, Piedmont) is Milan.
  • The major airport for traveling in southern Italy (Rome, Amalfi/Capri, Naples) is Rome.
  • The closest airports for traveling to Cinque Terre and Tuscany are Pisa, Florence and Genoa.
  • From PISA There is a shuttle train at the airport that takes you from Pisa Airport to Pisa Centrale. It’s name is People Mover. From Pisa Centrale, there are trains that take you to the Cinque Terre, with a stop in La Spezia Centrale. (Depending on when you arrive at Pisa Centrale, you may be able to purchase a direct ticket from Pisa Centrale to Monterosso in the Cinque Terre, where we’ll be staying.).
  • For train schedules, go to www.trenitalia.com. (Approx. Travel Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes.)

4 Kinds Of Short-Term Australian Visas For Tourists

4 Kinds Of Short-Term Australian Visas For Tourists

Flying to a foreign land is a rewarding activity each one of us wants to experience. We’d love to see new sights, delve into a different culture, learn a different language, taste different cuisines, and for some, earn foreign currency of a greater value. But before you dream about these fun things, there are a lot of not-so-fun things you have to go through – including your daunting visa application.

Airplane, Australian Visa

One remarkable country to visit is Australia. The country welcomes immigrants with open arms, and this multicultural environment is apparent wherever you go. If you are planning to visit Australia for various reasons an Australian visa is the first thing that you should be working on.

If you just want to travel as a tourist and have no plans to study, work, or live in Australia for a long time, getting a tourist visa is perfect for you. There are several subcategories within the tourist visa, which would depend on your nationality and the duration of your stay.

Electronic Travel Authority visa (subclass 601)

At the airport, Australian Visa

ETA is requested by people who wish to enter and leave the country within a period of 12 months to see relatives, do business, study for no more than three months, or simply explore tourist destinations.  With the ETA, you can visit as many times as you want, for up to a year, and stay in the country for up to three months for each visit. You just have to be a passport holder from a certain country.

As its name suggests, ETAs are electronic, which means there’s no stamp or label attached to a passport. The airline staff may confirm electronically if a passenger is eligible for boarding a flight to Australia. You can apply through many travel agents in a number of eligible countries worldwide, including European countries like France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and the UK.

Cost: There’s an AUD20 service charge for this visa.

eVisitor (subclass 651)

The requirements and features of eVisitor are similar to ETA. This visa allows you to stay in Australia for up to three months at a time within a 12-month period. Under certain circumstances. you may also study in Australia for up to three months. Likewise, this type of visa can only be requested by citizens of specific countries.

The main difference is where you apply and how much they cost. With eVisitor, you can apply online for free for at least two weeks before traveling.

Cost: There’s no application cost for this visa

Visitor visa (subclass 600)

Australian Visa

A visitor visa allows you to stay in Australia for a tour, family visit, and business purposes. You may stay for up to three, six, or 12 months. Citizens of countries that do not hold an eVisitor-eligible passport will have to apply for a Visitor visa, which is not free and cannot be processed online.

Cost: The base application charge for this ranges from AUD140 to AUD1020.

Transit visa (subclass 771)

A transit visa allows you and your dependent children to transit through Australia for no longer than 72 hours. It is acquired if you need to pass through Australia in order to reach another country or join a ship as a member of the crew. You must only hold either a booking or relevant documentation to access another country or hold a subclass 988 visa and some relevant crew documents.

Cost: There’s no application cost for this visa

Be aware of migration fraud and scams, claiming that you can travel while earning using only your visitor visa. Remember that you can NOT work in Australia holding any of these visas. You have to apply for visas with work rights.

 You may like to read Live, Work, And Study In Australia For A Year With These 3 Types Of Visa


Carmina Natividad is a resident writer for Four Points Immigration, a team of registered migration agents, assisting individuals and employers with their successful Australian visa application. Writing a wide variety of interesting and informative articles about immigration and travel is her cup of tea.

Five Must-See Unspoiled Places In Melbourne

Melbourne, Australia

In the Australian state of Victoria, Melbourne is considered as a state capital. It is also the most populous in Victoria and the second-most populous in the country of Australia and Oceania. Melbourne is filled with great sceneries, wonderful and tall buildings and they also offer different kinds of food for the tourists. The people in Melbourne are also hospitable and nice. Melbourne is becoming one of the top places to visit in the world because of all the activities that can be done. Visiting Melbourne, Australia is not really that expensive. You just have to be mindful of your expenses so that you will be able to spend on the things that you really need.

There are a lot must-see unspoiled places in the city of Melbourne

To know more, continue reading:

  1. Queen Victoria Market
Victoria Market, Melbourne Australia
photo source: queen victoria market

Queen Victoria Market may be already famous to some and it is even considered as a major landmark in Melbourne but it’s still not as frequent as the markets that can be found in Sydney. If you love shopping in the market then this is the place that you should visit because there are a lot of authentic Australian food and things that you can buy. Treat yourself and put the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere in your itinerary and you will surely not regret it.

  1. Warrook Cattle Farm
Melbourne, Australia
(photo source: warrook)

Warrook Cattle Farm is one of the best farms in Melbourne, Australia. It is underrated but throughout the years, it’s starting to become more known to tourists because of word of mouth through social media. If you love animals then Warrook Cattle Farm should be part of your list. This is really a great place because you can spend time with animals! The place is also open 7 days a week.

  1. Peninsula Hot Springs
Melbourne, Australia
(photo source: visit victoria)

Peninsula Hot Springs is considered as the very first natural hot spring in Melbourne. This place is around 1.5 away from the city of Melbourne so if you’re planning to have a relaxing time, better visit Peninsula Hot Springs. There are also other great relaxing places outside of Melbourne like Kims that offers romantic getaways in Sydney.

  1. Harbour Town
Sea Pines Resort, Melbourne, Australia
(photo source: sea pines resort)

Harbour Town Melbourne is a place where you can relax and still have a feel of the city. There are stores, restaurants and different outlets that you will surely enjoy. It’s definitely a mix of everything you need. The place also offers a mix of fashion, housewares, pieces of jewelry, sportswear, general merchandise and many more. The Harbour Town is open from Mondays to Sundays so better put this on your itinerary as well. It will surely be worth it!

  1. Melbourne Aquarium
Melbourne
Melbourne Aquarium

 Do you love the sea? Do you want to visit a place where you can feel like you are under the sea? If the answer is yes then you should definitely visit the Melbourne Aquarium. Come up close to see the amazing water creatures like turtles, sea snakes, baby sharks and many more. Explore a world unlike any other and visit Melbourne Aquarium!


You may like to read Six hippie hotels in Melbourne



Mark Aldrin Hipolito is a writer for Kims, one of Australia’s perfect beach retreat places that offers a cluster of deluxe timber bungalows and spa villas on the beach. Mark also gives out guides and tips for people regarding on how they can enjoy their vacation and trips around the world.

GAME OF THRONES: MUST VISIT LOCATIONS

Game of Thrones indisputably has some of the most picturesque scenes ever captured in an American television series (or for that matter any tv show across the world).

Many have surely felt like visiting the Seven Kingdoms only for the stunning scenery on several occasions.

So here we discover these precious locations from GoT that you can visit too!

1.    Spain:  Spain is a place that one cannot overlook while discussing Game of Thrones locations. San Juan de Gaztelugatxe in Bermeo, Basque Country is a place that features the famous stone bridge. Numerous places in Seville have played a huge role in the filming of the show. Extremadura is also a place that has become a popular tourist spot for all the beautiful reasons. (By the way, don’t forget to check out our collection of Game Of Thrones T-Shirts)

Spain Game of thrones

Getting to Spain from India: The best time to travel to Spain is said to be the autumn season. The main airports in Spain are in Barcelona and Madrid, where you can land from the major cities in India like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bangalore. To visit nearby places or your favorite GoT location, you can travel by public and private transport systems.

2.   Iceland: Want to visit the home of the White Walkers? Iceland is the place that was the abode of the dead. But it will make you feel as alive as ever. Iceland was first featured in Game of Thrones in Season 2 and we cannot get enough of the place ever since.

Game of thrones-Iceland

Getting to Iceland from India: You can travel to Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland by frequent flights from Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Chennai. North Iceland is a must-visit for the GoT fan in you! By the way, a fun fact here – did you know the mighty Gregor Clegane aka “The Mountain” (Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson) from Game Of Thrones is also from Reykjavik Iceland?

3.    Croatia: These places in mystical Croatia should definitely feature on your GoT itinerary: St. Dominika Street, Bokar Fortress, Lokrum Island, Lovrijenac Fortress, and Diocletian’s Palace. The King’s Landing is the place that earned Croatia the name of the Land of the Iron Throne.

Family trip to Croatia- Game of Thrones

Getting to Croatia from India: Flights operate from India to Zagreb, the capital of Croatia from major Indian cities. You can travel to other places from Zagreb using public or private transport. Enjoy the Mediterranean climate best in summer. If you indeed decide to go to Croatia (especially Zagreb), then I must recommend going to the Upper Town (aka Gornji Grad). I was there on a family trip around last year’s Christmas, and we had an amazing time. The people are super nice and Indians are generally respected and welcomed. Above is an image we took, while we were there.


You may also like to read Adventure activities in Croatia


Through this article, my intention was to give you a little insight into how even we common folks can touch and feel the very places, Game Of Thrones was shot at, and maybe come a slight bit close to the awesome-st show in the history of mankind. So, these were the three dazzling places that will captivate you to no end, whether you are a Game of Thrones fan or not. They say that travel is the best way to discover yourself. So, do not forget to add these stunning places to your bucket list, for who knows, you may find the power of royal connections doing wonders for your soul!

Neha Rajan WeTheChic

Neha Rajan – A Media Studies professional, working with popular Merchandise Brand – We The Chic. She has a passion for writing on just about anything. Books and her dog Leo are her best companions. She loves the natural world and her affection for animals led her to veganism. A pacifist, lover of mysticism with absolute faith in the Universe, she hopes to conquer her own little world with words, dreams and compassion.