Michael S. LibermanAlps and Med Day 5: Cinque Terre
On the bus returning from Cinque Terre …
Our lengthy dinner service didn’t end until well after 10 PM last night. But we depart at 8:15 AM this morning. Our driver, Silvano, makes quick time on the drive south from Genoa heading towards Cinque Terre. We pass through many tunnels and over many bridges as we traverse the mountains and valleys of the rugged terrain of this part of Italy.
Our first destination is the town Sestri Levante where we meet Frederica, our local guide for our visit today. We board a train for the hour long trip to reach the five fishing villages of Cinque Terre.
The Italian Riviera towns of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore, with their pastel colored homes and buildings, perch on the steep hillsides above the Mediterranean. No major roadways here. Instead trails connect the terraced winemaking vineyards and olive groves to the anchovy fishing boats below.
We start in the town of Riomaggiore, walking up from the train station to the pathway that winds its way through town. The views of the town and the crystal clear Ligurian Sea are spectacular!
We walk through the town for a few hours, cool off with a Lemonade Ice Cream, then board the train for the 20-minute ride to Monterosso al Mare. We’ve got a couple of hours to explore, so Michelle, Sophie, Greg, Peter, and me have a pasta, beer, and wine lunch at Ristorante al Cambusa. Next we shop for a while, then head to the beach.
After one last seaside glass of vino blanc we board the train to Sestri Levante where we meet the bus for the drive back to Genoa. Tomorrow we see Monaco and Nice!
