The Cinqueterre takes its name from five small villages – Corniglia, Manarola, Monterosso al Mare, Riomaggiore and Vernazza – that defiantly cling to the inhospitably rugged Ligurian coastline. They are, and have been for many centuries, practically inaccessible by land due to the harsh, steep terrain which juts up at their backs. The best way and only way to see them from sea is by private crewed yacht charter.

Each of the five towns are located high on the cliff side at the end of a promont…