When it comes to basking in the beauty of Italy’s Riviera, the Cinque Terre is tops for me. But there’s much more to this region on the Mediterranean coast than those famous five villages.

This picturesque town in Italy's Cinque Terre is the southernmost village in the area and is a colorful gateway to hiking trails and excellent seafood.

Last June, we spent almost a week in Vernazza, Italy, and had the chance to explore the five towns that make up the Cinque Terre area. These five coastal communities each have unique personalities.

When it comes to basking in the beauty of the Italian Riviera, the Cinque Terre is tops for me. But there's much more to this region on the Mediterranean coast than those famous five villages.

By the early 1990s, non-Italian tourists, especially Germans and Americans, were arriving in Cinque Terre in droves. Monterosso received the first wave.

When it comes to basking in the beauty of the Italian Riviera, the Cinque Terre is tops for me. But there’s much more to this region on the Mediterranean coast than those famous five villages.