Cinque Terre - Day 11 — Patti Part Two

We did it!! HIked to all 5 villages! That is something I have dreamed of doing so the feeling of accomplishment is amazing. We started by having breakfast at a cute restaurant right next door to the hotel we were staying at. The owners are identical twin brothers names Massimo and Gianluca and we met them both. The food is delicious and the staff so friendly and nice. I loved their sign!!

To keep world peace I didn’t ask for eggs - instead a delicious sweet ricotta filled croissant!

The first part of the hike was Vernazza to Cornelia. Vernazza was the village we staying in and Cornelia is the only village of the 5 that sits on a hill and doesn’t have direct access to the water. But if I were to pick a favorite I think it would be Cornelia!

The terrain is climbing rocks, walking through vineyards, going through wooded areas -  but all beautiful and natural. — The terrain is climbing rocks, walking through vineyards, going through wooded areas - but all beautiful and natural.

Due to a ton of rain in 2012 some of the hikes between villages have been closed and alternative routes established. That is the case for the hike from Cornelia to Manarola. The alternative route is quite a bit longer - now about 2 hours and 15 minutes but just beautiful!

Manarola!!! My favorite church in town - built in the mid 1500’s. Walking through the vineyards which they take such pride in.

Mid afternoon - way past my lunch time so I stopped at a local grocery store and they made me a delicious sandwich of ham, sweet pecorino cheese and fresh bread - delicious! I just sat on a ledge in someone’s yard and ate it.

Next stop Billy’s for an afternoon glass of wine! This place was so beautiful! Amazing view of the town and the water and tables along the walkway leading to a terrace with maybe 6 tables. They weren’t open yet for dinner but Julie sweet talked them into letting us have just one glass of wine.

We had one last hike to do from Manarola to Riomaggiore. And it would supposedly take only 20 minutes. Little did we know wine was probably the last thing we should drink before this hike. It was a rough start. We were basically climbing the rocks straight uphill on almost all 4’s, but we kept saying that once we got to the top we would be almost there. We got to the top and had to open a closed gate but didn’t think much of it. Then we saw a sign that said the downhill was only for “expert excursionists.” We had second thoughts. But the alternative was to go back and go down the horrible climb we had just done so we summoned our courage and started down. Compared to the upward climb we were pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t worse and made it down safely only to come upon a locked gate and a sign that said due to danger the trail was closed!!! WHAT!!! How come that sign wasn’t at the beginning of the hike and how were we going to get out!!! Some passerby’s yelled down to us that the only way out was the climb over the fence. NO WAY!! It was 6 feet tall and if we fell it wold be on to concrete or off the ledge. I was ready to ask for the fire department to rescue us but another passerby directed us through a route that finally got us up to the road. An exciting finish!

It was a great day!!! We logged in 11 miles, 25,000 steps and climbed 194 floors! We deserved a great dinner and dessert! We enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the little restaurant right by our hotel where we had breakfast. The food was awesome and so fresh!!

Sea Bass, a liter of wine and panna cotta for dessert!

Bucket list item completed! I will look back on my time there and cherish every minute!!