The Cinque Terre – 5 lands literally translated – 5 beautiful villages perched on the edge of the Mediterranean – How much better can you get?
The Cinque Terre is part of the Liguria coastline and the Parco Nationale delle Cinque Terre – just north of La Spezia, made up of (starting at the top) Monterrosa, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. I stayed in Riomaggiore at the Affittacamere Patrizia.
I was pretty ignorant when I arrived so found out how to get into the village through the lovely tunnel made by an artist – spectacular, I thought, up a very steep street (the main street and on first appearances the only street) and asked the first guy near a sign saying Camere for rent and I just happened to meet the lovely man who took my passport (as security until I paid in cash) then carried my bags to my room near the church. A great spot although no view – a view is great but you have to climb to get it…..Just 3 of us there - a lovely Dutch couple Hans and Norah, having a 2nd honeymoon - the first time away from their kids....
First day did the “blue trail” of the whole Cinque trail 12kms – bought a National park pass (with unlimited train 10Euros – without train 7 euros) – first part - Riomaggiore to Manarola is like a walk in the park – easy, flat. Next section closed so trained it to Corniglia then walked a more difficult walk to the other towns, only stopping for rain and water to drink. A good walk – taking about 4 -5 hrs. Stayed and went for a swim and lay on the pebbles they call beach.
Next day a slightly harder trail – Riomaggiore to Porto Venerra – started alone at 10:30am and met a guy who became a friend, Travis, a 35yr old American – nice fellow who just was going for a short walk and ended up doing the whole thing with me…finished about 5pm ie 6.5hrs of up-hill, down-dale, also getting lost in prickly country and I ended up with thorn scratches and dirty from falling on my bottom – he looked quite clean considering what we went through…beautiful scenery though.
My next day was a day of rest so caught the ferry from Monterosso to Porto Venerra and return – just beautiful to see the same villages from the water and only 17 Euros return – well worth it…
Now in Florence but that’s the next chapter…….
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