Italy has a way of slowing you down – even when you’re moving. I spend a weekend in Italy since it is just a few hours driving from where I live.
This weekend road trip took me along the coast, through narrow streets, colourful houses stacked above the sea, and small villages where life feels beautifully simple.
I travelled by car, which gave me the freedom to stop, observe, and photograph at my own pace.
The destination wasn’t the goal. The experience was. The drive into Cinque Terre and to move on by train!
Arriving by Car – Freedom Before the Crowds
Driving along the Italian coast is an experience in itself. The roads curve gently above the sea, revealing new perspectives with every turn. What struck me immediately was how different everything feels when you’re not bound to train schedules or day-trip routines.
Having a car allowed me to arrive early, before the villages filled up. The streets were quiet, the shutters still closed, and the light soft and forgiving – perfect for photography.
Colourful Homes Clinging to the Coast
One of the defining features of this region is colour.
Warm yellows, faded reds, soft blues – houses stacked on top of each other as if gravity works differently here. These colours aren’t loud; they feel lived in, weathered by salt and sun.
I spent a lot of time just walking, looking up, following staircases that seemed to lead nowhere, and framing layers of houses against the coastline. Sometimes the best compositions appear when you stop searching for them.
A Practical Tip for This Region
If you plan to visit the Cinque Terre area by car, here’s one thing I highly recommend:
Book a hotel with parking
Once you’re settled, use the local trains like everyone else to move between villages. Parking inside the villages can be stressful and time-consuming (and sometimes not evenallowed), while trains are frequent, easy, and part of the experience.
This combination gives you the best of both worlds: flexibility and simplicity.
