The Cinque Terre

While we were in Florence, I really wanted to go to the Cinque Terre. I had heard so many good things about it and though it was going to press our time in Florence , we decided to go for it. We took the train on Sunday afternoon, and after a few wrong connections we finally made it to our first stop, Riomaggiore. The hotel closed at 8:00 and we did not get there till 8:15 but after a few phone calls they were gracious and let us in. We ate dinner at this restaurant and wanting to be cultural, I ordered some little fish. Well what they brought out was really little fish - acually semi fried minnows, head in all. I actually ate most of it but definitely will not order that again.

The next morning we set out on our hike. The Cinque Terre is actually five cities on the west coast of Italy, all within a mile to a mile and a half from each other and connected by a concrete coastal path. But it is also a national park with miles of trails going up into the mountains which rise 2000 - 2500 feet above the coast. They all interconnect and one could spend days travelling them all. We started up into the mountains and got about 1500 - 1800 feet up before moving on to the next town, Manarola. The hiking was pretty strenuous, especially for Luana, and thankfully I had no problems considering what I know now. In Manarola we ate lunch and enjoyed the beautiful views over the seas. We also found out that the coastal road was closed due to landslides, so we had to go back up into the mountains, though not as high and had a beautiful walk to the next town of Corniglia. By this time we were running out of time and had to take the train to the next two towns, Vernazza and Monterosso. We ate dinner there and had some gellatoand had to get back on the train to Florence.

It is really a spectacular place with multiple levels of beauty. First of course is the seas with their pure and gorgeous blue waters. Then there are the towns which have such a quaint beauty with their multicolored houses, winding and hilly streets, shops and great views. Looking the other way is the mountains and the views they afford. Then there are the forrests up in the mountains, broken up by the terraced hills planted with vineyards, olive trees, lemon and orange trees. Top all of that with a plethora of wildflowers as well as cultured flowers. And as if that wasn't enough, to be able to enjoy all of that with my lovely wife and beautiful daughter was nothing short of paradise. Lastly we will move on to Venice.