Cheers and Cheerio: La Bella Italia- Cinque Terre (Day 2)

We woke Saturday and drove to La Spezia, about an hour north of Fauglia (and Pisa). We found a parking spot in the center of town (a hard thing to do), navigated the parking rules (thank you to an elderly woman who was hanging out of her window and watching the street. She informed us through Italian and hand motions that we needed a "billetto" as she pointed to the end of the block. It eventually became apparent that it was a pay and display system. Thank goodness for this woman or we might have had a billetto of another kind when we returned that evening) and boarded the train (with what seemed to be a million others) up to Cinque Terre, or five towns built into the hillside of the Italian Riviera.

MONTEROSSO

We took the train to the last stop, leaving us as the most northern town of Monterosso. It is a beach town and is beautiful. We had some mid-morning espresso and tea (and brioche, or a chocolate croissant) before heading down to the beach, into town, and then onto the 1.5 hour hike to the next town of Vernazza.

Cafe where we sipped on Espresso and Tea

The Beach

The "ancient" castle of Monterosso

Adam perched on a rock overlooking the Italian Riviera

A church in Monterosso

The Interior of the Church

Monterosso

HIKE TO VERNAZZA
The hike to the next town, Vernazza, is said to be a bit challenging. Flip flops are not permitted on the trail (we hiked in tevas and it was fine) and those who are not physically active are requested to stay off the trail (and take the train to the next town instead). And there is a reason why. The trail takes you along and through the hillside vineyards with many parts being wide enough for one person only. It was beautiful and hot (we were so happy to be hot! England is many things, but it does not reach 85 degrees here). We were sweaty and breathing hard by the time we were done. All in all, the hike was one of the best parts of the day. Take a look.

We saw this rail, but weren't sure why it was running along the mountainside.

Then we knew why. This is a local man who works in the vineyard. The locals use these pulley systems to travel the mountainside and harvest the grapes.

Our first introduction to Vernazza

The trail down into Vernazza. Nothing like a serenade

The only way to do this hike. It was a wonderful sunny 85 degrees!

VERNAZZA
Once in Vernazza, we found a place to get some cold beer and a bit of pizza before we hiked the tower in town to get more views (a bit by accident). We had some gelato and cannoli of course before we took the train to the fourth town, Manarola (we skipped the third town, Corniglia, due to time constraints).