Cinque Terre in the rain Day 1

It was a rainy day, but we did not let that stop us from getting out. We got lost first thing this morning walking back from the grocery store. We arrived in the dark last night, and the streets are like a maze with no rhyme nor reason to the numbering system. Google Maps is no help whatsoever. We wandered all around in the rain, going up and down the steep hillside streets with our groceries. We finally found pur place again.

After breakfast, I washed out some socks and underwear by hand. When you only have three pairs of undies, you must wash at least every two days!

We bought two Cinque Terre cards which entitiled us to two all day tickets (for 2 full days) on the train and use of the clean train station bathrooms (normally 1.50 each use) and wifi, bus tickets, hiking trails and more! We only used the train and bathrooms today.

We decided today would be our splurge meal day. The next train out of the station was to the town of Riomaggiore. We selected the restaurant with the top Google rating that was off the beaten path and really went for it! We shared an appetizer of anchovies prepared three ways. Phil then had a main dish of Sea Bass with potatoes, tomatoes, olives, and a bright little salad. I had the pasta of the region with the seafood of the region. We shared a tiramisu for dessert. Let me say we have never had anything like these dishes, and they were all delicious!

After lunch, we hopped back on the train and went to another small village. We walked around and found a tourist shop that sold little cheese graters that I could use to zest my lemons as well as grate cheese. After a late afternoon cappuccino, we are back in our apartment and will have a light supper.

It rained lightly all day, but it did not dampen our spirit of adventure or our enthusiasm. Tomorrow we will visit the other two small towns. I think it will rain again, but we are really thankful for the lack of tourist crowds. It is still beautiful even in the rain.Read more