Visiting the picturesque towns of Riomaggiore and Monterosso in the the stunning region of Cinque Terre was an incredible experience and one of the highlights of my program. The three hour train ride to get there took us through numerous valleys and mountains along the ocean and was incredibly beautiful. Upon arriving, my friends and I spent the day exploring the town of Riomaggiore, hiking along the trails above the ocean, and trying the local seafood. One the best parts about the town was how welcoming and friendly the locals were. It was remarkable how much I found I had in common with people from a town of barely one thousand people on the Italian coast. The definite highlight of this trip was the festival the people of Riomaggiore threw in honor of their soccer team. We all had a great time dancing, trying local foods, and listening to local music with the people of the town. This was an incredible experience and I hope one day I can return.
