Deciding whether to include Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast on your Italian itinerary is a tough decision. I know first hand as I had to make this decision myself when planning my first trip to Italy. I mean, both areas have a gorgeous seaside locations, incredible food, fabulous views, and great hiking trails, but they also have many differences. 

The Amalfi Coast is a stretch of coastline in Southern Italy that has earned a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. Its southern location means that it is an easy jaunt from Naples and allows you to visit sites such as the Island of Capri, Mount Vesuvius, and Pompeii.