This UNESCO World Heritage Site is also Italy's smallest National Park, and arguably one of its most scenic. Perched at the cusp of land and sea, the Cinque Terre straddles the rocky Ligurian coast, with the shimmering, turquoise waters of the sea at its feet. The National Park is composed of the five seaside villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore, each a picturesque medley of historic architecture tucked away down narrow streets. The bare walls of the stony cliffs shelter the bay and its terraced vineyards, olive groves and sandy beaches, traversed by hiking trails with breathtaking vistas at every turn. The Cinque Terre National Park is a place where time itself seems to slow down and life takes on a more leisurely pace. The local specialty is a wine called Sciacchetrà best enjoyed with fresh, local seafood.