Day 47 Cinque Terra:)

 Hi Everyone,

      What a perfect day today was, the weather was impecable, Marco my driver picked me up promptly at 8am for my trip to Cinque Terra. I was a little nervous to go here for some reason. I think because I knew I had to hike and I didn't want to be alone on a cliff. If I fell who would find me? How wrong was I? Cinque Terra is a slice of Heaven and I want to go back. Marco did tell me that there is also a train that takes you from city to city because the terrain can get a little hairy. Ahhh trains are for wimps! We got there about 10am and Marco told me how to find the first trail (the love walk) no less.   Oh well, my love bracelet and I were ready to go!!!! Cinque Terra means 5 cities and I was at city #1 Riomaggore at the southern most end. Marco gave me his number and I took his and he told me he would meet me at 3pm at the last city Monterosso. I was off. I walked through the bitty city and found the love trail. It was so beautiful I couldn't believe my eyes. There were a few people but not many which I loved. I got to the 2nd city Manarola, another cute tiny city. I continued on the trail, now no longer called the love walk because now it was more like a hike. It was muddy from the rain the previous day and rocky, but I didn't care I was on a mission. It was breathtaking and definitely the people on the trail count was nil, well there were a few. I started off with a jacket, sweater, scarf and 2 layered tees and when I ended I was only with my tees! haha. All my clothes and jackets were tied or hanging on me. It was the nicest weather day I have had in Europe in 46 days:) I made it to Corniglia and started up a never ending traversing stair situation to the top of the 3rd city. Another unbelievable moment. I then headed to the next trail. I was about 1/2 way and sweating when the trail was closed because of mud slides! hmmm the train doesn't sound so wimpy at this point so I head back, reach the never ending traversing stairs and back down to the train station only to have missed the train by 5 minutes and the next train is leaving in 1 hour and 15 minutes. So I actually have a great idea... I set my alarm for 1:30 pm, lay down on the bench and take a nap in the sun. Oh man did that feel great. I boarded the train (1.40 euro) and 10 minute later I was in Vernazza. I think this was my favorite little city. It was small but roomy. The views were amazing and the little beach was adorable. I had a a piece of pizza and gelato there and it was really nice. The trail to Monterosso was closed as well so I took the train there. (see why I need to go back? I want to hike the entire 8 miles). I made it 4 and was pretty proud of myself.  Monterosso is the largest city, but still quite small and probably the one I would stay at. There were more of a variety of hotels and a bigger beach. Now there is also a ferry that can take you from city to city, which would be really fun but it is only in operation from April-November. My advice is to travel to Cinque Terra either April or October, because you would have nice weather, the ferry is running and all of the restaurants and so forth would be open. I don't think you would have the same experience if it was packed with tourists and that is how the other months of summer are. Aren't I just a fountain of information?  If you would like a tour guide on this trip just ask me I would be happy to join you:)

    Marco was ready and waiting when I got to Monterosso (he was such a great driver and told me so many things about the history and culture of Italy) On our way back he told me he was going to show me something beautiful, his favorite spot. Don't let your mind go there... He was very professional and happily married!!!! Just very good at his job. He took me to Piazzole Michelangelo. OMG, it was gorgeous, it was up on a high hill and overlooked all of Florence. It took my breath away. That's where I was on the pictures with the amazing views of the city. There was also a church up there that was built in 1038!!!! Can you believe that?

     On the way back to the hotel he drove me around some places in Florence that were interesting and we got back at 6:30. It was a perfect day!!! I am so happy I went there. Cinque Terra is a MUST SEE!

   I was pretty wiped out when I got back to the hotel, my new friend Peter is leaving tomorrow so he asked me to go to dinner... How could I say no? So we went to dinner, said our ciao's and I was up in my room downloading the 183 pictures I took today. Ya think it was beautiful????

  I hope you enjoy the pictures from today, I wish I could include more but I will be happy to show you when I get back!

  

Ciao for now,

                       Laura

Marco and I after our "Big" day:)

Thought for the day:

Nature is pure beauty, natural and simple, nice don't you think? People should be like nature.