The moment I first set foot along the craggy coast of Monterosso al Mare, the westernmost village of the Cinque Terre, I knew I had discovered a unique paradise.

It was early October 2007 and far off in the distance, the clifftop villages belonging to this unparalleled Ligurian landscape beckoned with their vivid colors, illuminated by the late summer light. After a few days spent devouring fried anchovies, focaccia, pesto, and breathtaking views, I also quickly understood why Cinque Terre, a UNESCO site since 1997, attracted tourists en masse.