Cinque de Terre

Cinque de Terre consists of the NW coast of Italy just before joining up with the rest of Europe. The coast is very steep right down to the sea. It is interspersed with 5 main towns on the coast built where rivers have carved out narrow enough valleys to allow some habitation. The buildings are very colorful and are built up the sides of the steep valleys. The buildings seem to come tumbling down the valleys into the sea. All of the towns seem to have a castle and a harbor. The towns are quiet in the morning but by early afternoon they are packed with tourists making day trips from as far away as Florence. The land around the towns is terraced but much of the land doesn't appear to be worked. Lots of abandoned oil groves. No wonder olive oil is so expensive in Canada. I visited two of these towns yesterday. Riomaggiore and Manarola. They are spectacularly beautiful. Rick Steves has a self guided tour that he does through the towns. One sees the harbour, the castle, the principal church, the cemetary-because often they command great views, the main tourist fares of the town and often a circumnavigation of part of the town. My first town was good as the majority of tourists hadn't shown up. I trained between towns. Manarola was busier but still pleasent. I could have done another town but it was early afternoon and I decided to head back to Varnazza where I was staying to chill out. Rick Steves had a good tip of something to do in Varnaaza. At 5 pm I took a public bus along a very meandering route into the hills behind the town. We probably accumulated 4 to 5 hundred metres of elevation before being dropped off around 6 at a sanctuary known as the Madonna de Regio before walking down the valley through terraced landon which there were some olive and lemon and grape groves. One commanded a beautiful view overlooking Vernazza and the sea.

Today I decided to walk to Monterosso, one town a few kilometres north of here along the coast. I took my time and it took me 2 hours. It didn't pass the West test of a hike as I saw two parents carrying children in baby carriers. It was a walk but a very pleasant and scenic one. When I got to Monterosso I did the Rick Steves walk of all the sites ie cemetary castle church then took the ferry back to Vernazza. There was still one thing I needed to do and that was go for a swim. It hasn't been too warm but I won't be swimming in the Mediterranean for a while and I thought it would be fun. I ditched everything of value at my accommodation, hid the key in a flower pot and with only a towel, shoes, swimsuit shirt and my back up glasses. I noticed a family of Italians at the beach and they agreed to look after my stuff while I went for a swim. It was very refreshing and they gave my stuff back to me when I was finished. I will head out later for supper and one last wander around town. Many of the day tourists should have dissipated. I have enjoyed my three days in Cirque de Terre but am looking forward to Milan tomorrow.Read more