Ciao Cinque

Today was our last chance to explore beautiful Cinque Terre and we each found our own way to farewell this stunning and unique area. 

Sheryl, Fiona and I decided to give Manarola, which has been our home village during our time here, a closer look, so we wandered the streets and laneways, discovering shops and eateries until the streets became too busy with tourists (I would hate to be here in peak season!) After a bite to eat, Sheryl and I navigated the rail system and took the train to Vernazza. 

It was a cooler but mostly sunny day and it felt as though everyone had had the same idea, as we waited on the crowded station platform. But  Vernazza is just a short hop away and we were soon disembarking the train at the village that many have told us is their favourite. It was certainly popular today. 

The streets were busy as we zigzagged our way from the station towards the waterfront. We checked out all the shops along the way, many displaying the same touristy goods as the last, but others were treasure troves of unique handmade  local goods, that deserved further examination.  Once we had exhausted the supply of tempting wares in the shopping strip, we stopped at the waterfront to take some photos and then enjoy a spritz under the pretty yellow umbrellas of a waterfront cocktail bar. 

We then wandered into the old and very austere stone church overlooking the sea, before walking back towards the station. We wondered what would happen if we were found to be on an earlier train than our timed ticket showed, but thought we would risk it anyway. No-one checked our tickets and no alarms sounded as we boarded, so perhaps the time on the ticket is just a ‘suggestion’ in the same vein as pedestrian crossings and speed limits are just ‘suggestions’ in Italy. 

Back in Manarola, Sheryl attended to sorting and packing while I decided to walk the coast path as far as I could before the landslide blockage which has caused the closure of the ‘blue route’  between Manarola and Corniglia since Augsut 2024. I didn’t get very far before hitting a roadblock, but saw some perfect ocean vistas and views to Corniglia and beyond, as well as another different perspective of Manarola. 

When I returned I concentrated on sorting the day’s photos before we readied ourselves for dinner with the rest of the group,  just down the laneway at Trattoria dal Billy a quirky hillside restaurant with stunning ocean views and lots of steps to access each of the open air dining areas. My Trofie al pesto con patate e fagiolini was delizioso and the sunset was spectacular too! 

Tomorrow is another day and brings another adventure in a different part of the Ligure region. 












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