Cinque Terre - Day 10

We made it! Took the train from Florence to Pisa and then another train to Monterosso in the Cinque Terre. We are staying in Vernazza which is the next village east so hopped another train to get to our little tiny hotel. This has been a dream of mine for a long time - and happy to report it looks exactly like the pictures. Only better because I’m seeing it in person. Just a few words about Cinque Terre. It is five villages in a mountainous corner of the Italian Riviera. From end to end the five villages stretch for only six miles as the crow flows, and you can hike from village to village through the mountains and often along the coast. The five villages are Monterosso, Vernazza, Cornelia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. 

Vernazza!! 

Our plan is to hike to all the villages as each one has their own personality and different characteristics. You can do it all in a day but if you want to spend a little time in each village it takes longer, so we did the hike from Vernazza to Monterosso this afternoon and it was totally breathtaking - and a little bit of a challenge. Quite steep and lots of climbing up and down. It took us about an hour and 40 minutes total which was hiking at a pretty good pace and stopping also to enjoy the view. When we made it to Monterosso it was just in time for happy hour - or as they call it in Italy - aperitivo.

Our view of Monterosso as we sipped our wine. 

Once the sun set and the fog rolled in the temperature dropped 20 degrees so we took the train back to Vernazza to get into warmer clothes and get a bite to eat. We checked out the menus of a couple of the tiny restaurants on our street and decided on  Vineria S. Marta. It has only 4 tables inside and a couple outside but it was wonderful. The owner was so nice and helpful with ordering wine. The Cinque Terre specializes in white wine, and I had one that only produces 5000 bottles a year.

This region is also well known for it’s Pesto - and this has pretty much become my go-to meal. Caprese salad, pasta with basil and tiramisu - love it!! 

Lots of fresh air and exercise along with wine and a great meal has worn me out so I’m off to bed. A full day planned tomorrow hiking the rest of the Cinque Terre!! Ciao for now!