Cinque Terre
This is a place I was blown away with - Cinque Terre (which means five villages). Located in the Liguria region of Italy, on the famous Italian Riviera, the Cinque Terre is to the west of the city of La Spezia.
"The Five Lands" or villages, hugging the steep and rugged coast line are Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. You can stay in one village and easily catch a train to the next village, with each between 5 to 10 minutes away. Each village has its own distinct character and special flavour.
Of course, being Italy the food is amazing and what I always like to start with is a Caprese salad (sliced tomato, fresh boccocini drizzled with olive oil, white vinegar & basil leaves). Delicious!
To get there the closest airport is either Florence or Genoa, then you will need to get a train to La Spezia and from there on to one of villages. But make sure you make a visit to Monterosso as it has the most beautiful beach of all of the 5 villages. Relax in the shade of a beach umbrella, let the gentle Mediterranean breezes wash over you and you’ll soon find ‘la dolce vita’ (the sweet life).