Cinque Terre

We enjoy a slower start to the day and with options before us most of the group decide to go with Claudia to the seaside village of Monteroso one of the five 'lands' of the Cinque Terre. Unfortunately the weather is too rough for us to travel by ferry so our driver takes us to La Spezia where we catch the local train. The platform is crowded with tourists and sets the tone for our travel during the day - battling large crowds on the trains.

Claudia our wonderful Italian Tour Guide at Monterosso

Monteroso is the biggest of the five towns and there is plenty to discover. We enjoy a light lunch and a stroll, taking lots of photographs. The weather is warm enough for holidaymakers to be seen sunbaking on the gravel beaches. There is a lot of discussion about what to do next. Most decide to board the train mid afternoon and head south to the village of Vernazza. 

The spectacular village of Vernazza

This is even prettier but smaller.  It has a small harbour surrounded by colourful buildings built up the face of the cliffs. Paul heads to the top of the village to do some of his extraordinary photography. Others sit under an umbrella and enjoy liquid refreshment while Ray pulls out the watercolours and does a quick painting. Steve Smith gets the gold star today as he arrives having walked the distance from Monteroso on foot.  All that heat training in Dubai has obviously paid off.

Steve Smith and the village of Manarola perched on the cliffs

Our final rendezvous is further down the line at Manarola. This is again a small village - Claudia leads us to the top of the cliffs to watch the waves crashing in. Then we amble through the shops to the tiny little harbour where boats are launched via a large steel pole with ropes. It is too rough and small in that harbour for boats to stay at anchor.

Finishing our dinner at the Trattoria

Dinner has been arranged at La Spezia at a Trattoria, again an abundance of food and wine. We particularly enjoy the pesto penne entree. It was a big meal and by the end there is a coach load of tired pilgrims ready to hit their beds back at Hotel.

One last look at the great view from the Hotel Della Baia