Cinque Terre

THE FIRST TIME I visited Cinque Terre, I was but 18 years old. I was taken aback by the natural setting these isolated towns found themselves on for centuries. When I returned as a trained architect, I was able to zoom in on the details that make these places extraordinary: simple architecture, integration with the sea and docks, and a respectful taming of the challenging topography. The cliffs themselves actually became a natural edge to each town, allowing them to preserve their unique treasures through time.