Imagine hiking along a muddy trail so narrow, that you have your back against the wall (or in this case, mountain), just fighting to make it to the next corner. One false step, and you could plummet to your death into the abyss of the Ligurian sea. Never to be seen again.

Okay, maybe that whole scenario was a tad overdramatic. But it can be dangerous if you’re not careful.

Cinque Terre means ‘Five Lands’. These five lands are Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. You’ll see colorful houses, which are said to have been painted the same color as fishermen’s boats, and so that they could locate their houses while at work.

Though not impossible, I’m sure it would be very difficult to see all five villages in one day on your own. So that’s why we booked a tour through Walkabout Florence. 5.6 miles of hiking, and 2 insanely choppy boat rides later, I was able to cross Cinque Terre off of my bucket list.