Manarola, the second village on the Cinque Terre when starting your journey from La Spezia, has historic Genoese tower-houses painted in pastel tones that light up at sunset, when the sun turns the sky pink and orange. Time marches to the rhythm of the waves and the unhurried steps of tourists who get lost in the small, serpentine stone-paved passageways, which resemble the vine-covered hills. The heart of Manarola beats along the course of the now-covered Groppo stream, which was formerly the village's primary axis. From here, alleyways and staircases lead to cottages perched on the cliff, surrounded by terraced vineyards and olive trees. The latter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the result of mankind's centuries-old efforts to shape the mountain, resulting in a distinctive landscape that is unparalleled in the world. Walking through the narrow streets, one reaches the Church of San Lorenzo, built in 1338 by the inhabitants of Manarola and nearby Volastra. Its façade, adorned with a twelve-column rose window, and the detached bell tower, which may have originally served as a watchtower, speak of centuries of dedication and history. However, it is only by ascending to the panoramic points, such as the path to Corniglia, that the enchantment of this location is fully comprehended: from above, the houses appear to be suspended between the sky and the sea, nestled like jewels in the rock. Manarola is not only about landscapes: it’s also about legend. It is said that centuries ago, a young fisherman fell madly in love with a girl from the village. To win her over, he promised to bring her a rare fish every day, caught in the deepest waters. One day, during a storm, the boy did not return. Since then, on full moon evenings, some say to see his shadow walking among the rocks, looking for his lost love. Another narrative, more recent but equally fascinating, is that of the Via dell’Amore, the famous path connecting Manarola to Riomaggiore. This route overlooking the sea was created almost by mistake during railway construction in the 1920s and has since become a symbol of romanticism. Thousands of couples put padlocks and love inscriptions there, believing that the sea breeze brings good fortune to lovers. While Manarola bursts with color in summer, in winter it transforms into a luminous nativity scene. The greatest nativity scene in the world has been shining on the hill overlooking the village since 1961, thanks to the efforts of Mario Andreoli, a retired railway worker who dedicated his life to this creation. Thousands of lights create silhouettes of shepherds, angels, and animals, visible from the sea. On December 8, the day of the inauguration, tens of thousands of visitors from around the globe come to witness the show, which has now become an integral part of the Cinque Terre tradition. It is impossible to leave Manarola without experiencing its flavors. The village's pubs provide typical Ligurian delicacies like trofie with pesto and marinated anchovies, which are paired with Sciacchetrà wine, a sweet dessert wine produced from the terraced vineyards.