via dell'amore.

i spent the last two days at the most charming location in italy. i urge you to add a visit to cinque terre to your life list of must see locations. situated on the steep coastline of western italy, the five villages that make up cinque terre - monterosso, vernazza, corniglia, manarola and riomaggiore - are part of a national park and unesco world heritage site. the homeland of pesto, cinque terre white wine and incredible views, a visit to cinque terre has made my trip.

i had not made a reservation, but upon arrival i stumbled upon a great hotel. for 25 euros, i got a single room with a kitchen and a bathroom, with a balcony! i was staying in the old town of the first village, monterosso. scattered with corner stores, focacceria's, wine bars and little cafes, monterosso was right on the beach. there was almost no place i would rather have been.

each of the villages are linked by train, but also by hiking paths. some steep and difficult, others flat and relaxing, the paths offered the most stunning views of the villages. i hiked the 12km in one day, stopping in each village to taste the gelato, the pizza, the wine and to explore the hidden corners of the little idylic italian villages.

the path between the last two villages was called lovers lane, or via dell'amore, and cinque terre was certainly filled with romance. i apologize to some of you in advance, but i am a hopeless romantic, and could not help observing the aura of romance around me. as a solo traveller, people-watching becomes a daily activity. i wonder what language people are thinking in, what they are thinking about, who they are walking beside, and create life stories for them. i witnessed older couples hiking the most difficult trails, yet still holding hands and a young couple who thought they were alone, sneaking kisses along the trail.

despite the aura of romance, or perhaps because of it, i was immersed fully in the quaint, leisurely and contented lifestyle of everyone in cinque terre. one day i will be back, when i can partake in the romance myself.