Advantages: Scenery
Disadvantages: The crowds

...I won't repeat what has already been said about Cinque Terre (5T). All the detail is already there. Instead, I thought I'd post some of my impressions of it. Firstly, the scenery is breath-taking. I'm a pretty well-travelled kind of guy but I can't think of many places that can match the awesome beauty of this part of the Ligurian coast. I'm talking about the mountains, the cliffs, the little coves, the sea and the beautiful villages themselves that look so picturesque both from a distance and up close when you're walking around them. Secondly, I was surprised at how reasonable the prices were. We paid €1 for two 250 ml bottles of water - I was expecting to pay triple that. Similarly, the restaurants and bars are not a rip off and the locals, despite all the tourists are still polite and friendly. Thirdly, the walks between... Read review

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Advantages: sunshine, small, feels like Italy
Disadvantages: lots of tourists (but nothing like Rome or Venice)

...I spent 2 gorgeous days in the Cinque Terre, in April 2004, at the end of about 2 weeks travelling through various parts of Italy and I have to say this was the highlight of the trip. Cinque Terre means "5 towns" and that's exactly what it is. Five gorgeous little villages joined by an excellent walking track. We arrived late in the afternoon, at the nearest train station, after a bit of a journey to get there (there were a number of changes along the way, and due to one train running late, we narrowly missed our connection, forcing us to spend two hours in one of the less interesting parts of Italy while we waited for the next one but hey, isn't that part of the fun of travelling?) from Florence. The first surprise was to be greeted by a woman at the train station offerring us a room in her house to stay, not something I had... Read review

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Advantages:
Disadvantages:

...Here, five villages - Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso - make up the Cinque Terre. Over the years, the people have succeeded in imposing their will on this difficult landscape through terrace cultivation consisting of narrow strips of land on the hillside called "fasce". Perhaps it is the air made salty by the sea spray on stormy days, together with the hard work that the farmers have been carrying out for hundreds of years, that have made the grapes so sweet and the olives and lemons so tasty. We know, from archeological findings, that man has inhabited this stretch of coastline from very early times. Jewellery and decorated shells are some of the traces left behind by prehistoric man. The ancient "Strada Etrusca" was brought back into use by the Romans, bringing both trade and commerce to the Cinque Terre... Read review

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Advantages: really wonderful places
Disadvantages: --------------

...the entire year. The towns along the coast are rich in archeological sites, monuments and artistic memories. In the direction of La spezia, not far from Genoa, you can find one of the most beautiful places in Italy: Portofino. Portofino is a little village protected from a gulf; it is an interesting architectural place, because the houses are the same since the medieval age. Also the colors of the houses is the same. When you enter there, you can see Portofino as it was in the ancient time of the 'Sea Republics', nothing in changed. (Of course, you must not buy something in Portofino, they have the same things you can find everywhere in Liguria, but in Portofino you will pay it much,much more!). In the province of La spezia you can find the gulf of the Poets and the isles in front of Portovenere, called the Cinque Terre. The Cinque Terre... Read review

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Advantages: Unreleased tracks
Disadvantages: Price, some 're-mixing'

...As you may have already guessed, this is a ‘best of’ album. As Tangerine Dream have been around for the past 40 years, you don’t need to be a fan to know there are lots of these compilation albums around – some good, some so bad you feel embarrassed to look at the cover let alone play it. ‘Tangents’ is certainly one of the best. The tracks are from a wide range of studio and sound track albums; some classic ones like Ricochet, White Eagle and Exit, to some quite rare and difficult to find tracks (Wavelength and Flashpoint). Disk 5 contains a lot of previously unreleased tracks, which makes a very useful added bonus, and makes the price worthwhile. Many of the tracks are just excerpts of long single track albums like Ricochet, but some are re-mixed, or "tangenized", as some fans call it. Some of them are quite different... Read review

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Advantages: unspoilt
Disadvantages: over run by americans

...Cinque Terre literally means five lands. Twelve miles of very rocky shoreline weave its way along the top left hand of Italy in the Ligurian coast just west of La Spezia. The coastline is punctuated with five small villages, Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare. There are no cars or roads connecting these villages and the only access is by rail or coastal path. The rosy pastel and deep red houses perched on cliffs cascading down to the blue azure of the Mediterranean Sea stand out from their surroundings of rock and terraced vineyards. Add to this the lack of cars and you have the ingredients for a place where time stands still. The coastline has managed to remain pure by the steepness of the terrain, which throws building any large hotel complexes out of the window along with the fact... Read review

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Advantages: Beautiful
Disadvantages: None

...Cinque terre means “5 lands” in Italian, more specifically 5 villages. In fact there are 5 small villages, perched on the coast, and best reached either by train or by sea. You can also get there by car, but, especially in summer and during the weekends, there is a possibility of a headache! They used to be a partly undiscovered gem of Italy when I first visited them 20 years ago, but this is no longer the case. Still, out of the peak turist season, it is possible to enjoy your visit there. Most people walk along the coast along the paths, and I do recommend this. Try not to eat at the local restaurants, which can be a bit pricey. You can bring your own wine, or buy it locally, 5 terre are famous for a very special wine, and each village has got a shop where you can buy bread, cured ham and cheese for tasty sandwiches, AND, do not forget... Read review

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Advantages: Develops other characters introduced in the second book
Disadvantages: Not about the werewolves this time

...... Read review

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Advantages: An all-round epic with a good storyline and good acting
Disadvantages: Possibly not always historically-accurate

...Honsou, as Cinque (the leader of the group of slaves), produces the strongest performance in an impressive cast. Special mention should also go to Anthony Hopkins as John Quincy Adams, a former American president McConaughey calls upon for assistance. His closing comments are a masterpiece, and are delivered exquisitely. Emotional moments abound throughout the legal battle, and despite the supposed nature of the case, some are used by the defense in an attempt to sway the court (e.g. Adams' closing comments). Others are used to paint a vivid picture of the slaves' experience, such as when Cinque and another African interpret the New Testament through an illustrated Bible. These lucid scenes are worthy of an epic, but the question remains as to how important instances such as Adams' speech actually were in the case. I am not well... Read review

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Advantages: Historical buildings, old-fashioned tearooms, wonderful views, peaceful atmosphere
Disadvantages: may be nothing for the livelier members of the family

...If you want to experience a traditional, historic, picturesque little English town, then Rye is the place. Situated in the south of England, in East Sussex, it is easily accessible by either car or train. I will admit at the outset that I absolutely adore this little town, and it has played a crucial role in my family history, so my opinion is fairly one-sided! Firstly for some of the historical background. Rye, an ancient Cinque Port Town sits on a sandstone hill, from which you can get fantastic views of the surrounding area, including Romney Marsh and the sea. The positioning of the town was essential for the defensive role it has played, guarding the coast from foreign invasion. It was incorporated into the group of Cinque Ports in 1289, and has firstly helped to protect the country from invaders, and secondly, has... Read review

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