Day 3: Cinque Terre

We got up early, made some fresh sandwiches at the local market, and took the train down to Riomaggiore to begin hiking the Cinque Terre National Park trail that connects all five villages. (Cinque Terre means "Five Lands" in Italian.) This is picturesque Italy at its finest. The five villages hang from the cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean. The hike was fantastic, if a little hot. We cooled off in the ocean at Monterosso before catching the train back to Vernazza. That evening we ate a delicious meal at Ristorante La Torre at the tower overlooking the village and the ocean. What wonderful hosts were Franco and his wife!

We had our first mishap of the journey that night in Vernazza. Jared somehow punched in the wrong PIN into the ATM a few times and it took his card! We came back the next morning, but they refused to give him the card back without approval from his bank. Unfortunately, it was the middle of the night in America, so we had to leave town without it. Not to worry: mine worked just fine and we were able to coordinate withdrawals from my card for the remainder of the trip.

We started the hike at Riomaggiore and followed the coast through the five villages to end at Monterosso, about seven miles.

The beginning of the Cinque Terre hike, along the cliffs just above Riomaggiore.

A view of the boardwalk built into the cliffs.

One of the many gorgeous views of the ocean and, in the distance, one of the villages.

Part of the trail that goes over a covered boardwalk known as "Lover's Lane".

Jared on the trail.

Manarola from the trail.

Some houses on the cliffs of Manarola.

Downtown Manarola. A man was sanding his boat down in the middle of the street. Talk about the life!

Manarola as we were leaving town.

Lemon groves above Corniglia.

Views along the trail.

Some fireweed along the trail.

Seeing Corniglia from above.

Vernazza from above. The tower in the upper left is near Franco's restaurant where we ate dinner that night.

View of Vernazza from above the lagoon on our way to Monterosso.

Monterosso and the beach we swam at.

The next day can be found here.