Cinque Terre Walking

Trip Start Jun 05, 2011

Trip End Jul 26, 2011

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Flag of Italy Monterosso, Italian Riviera, Italy
Friday, July 22, 2011

It is a nice feeling not to wake up and pack up to get on the move! We thought we may catch the boat past all the 5 towns to see the Cinque Terra from the water today - but alas the sea was again too rough, so no ferries were running. We decided to walk to the town Vernazza 3.5 km (1.5 hours) walk from Monterosso. Lee wasn’t overly keen due to the fact that he hurt his back even more doing a jump in the archway looking out to the water that he had seen in Jarrod’s and Ryan’s pictures (not quite as young as he thought he was). Also, because there was no trains or boats running we would probably have to walk back.

It was a very steep start up many stone steps. There was three mountains to climb to get there. The scenery was stunning and luckily there was a lovely cool breeze most of the time

Monterosso beach at night

. You walked through lovely vineyards and farmland right on the edge of the coast. If you were afraid of heights and skinny tracks you wouldn’t try these walks. There wasn’t a lot of people on the track due to the fact that the public transport was not available to return. When we arrived at Vernazza it was like a ghost town compared to yesterday. We had a little look around and a snack. I could see by the way Lee was walking that he wasn’t that comfortable to walk back up those steep mountains. I decided to go and investigate the train station. The train office people said they were expecting a train to pass by but had no idea what time it would be - it could be between 30 and 60 minutes, but we would really need to come and wait. Lee was happy to come and wait, which ended up being just over an hour and returned us back to Monterosso in about 5 mins. I felt sorry for one couple going the other way they had been waiting since 10 am and each train they thought might come was cancelled. They still hadn’t left at 1.45 and they were trying to get to the Amalfi coast by night time.

We had a look around the old town of Monterosso which is through a tunnel on the eastern end of where we are staying. We found a lovely Foccacia bakery, very delicious, and you can choose from many different toppings. We thought we would go for a swim but the sea wind had come in and we decided on a siesta, like the Italian’s, instead.

After a lovely dinner back at the old town we say on a seat beside the sea and watched the sunset over the other Cinque Terre towns. We are starting to slow down for our return to Rome and then home. The Cinque Terre is certainly a highlight of Italy - and one I have wanted to do for a long time.

Monterosso hotels Slideshow

Post your own travel photos for friends and family More Pictures

Beach and Rock at night	Rock at night	Bunker at night	Active Lee
Monterosso Old Town	Monterosso 4	Monterosso 5	Track to Vernazza
View back to Monterosso	Track 2	Monterosso	Coastline looking towards Vernazza
Vernazza	Vernazza View from the top	Taken by tourist over Vernazza	House on Track
Coastline view	Vernazza Lane	Boats at Vernazza	Monterosso Beach View
Monterosso Beach with Rock	Door 1	Monterosso shops	Monterosso arches
Door 2	Looking along the coast to other Cinque terre town	Rock man at Monterosso	Rock man 2
Our hotel at Monterosso

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Comments

Reg and Marj on Jul 23, 2011 at 10:18AM

We are really going to miss the travel blogs when you have finished your trip. They have been so enjoyable and we would love to go there some day soon.The photos are beautiful - sorry about the back Leigh.

Gladys and Geoff. on Jul 24, 2011 at 03:50AM

Notice you have only one more stop over. We have had fun travelling with you. Thank you for the many beautiful pictures, it would be easy to become envious. Lee was the picture worth it? Hope your back improves quickly. Looking forward to seeing you at Springwood again, we have missed you.