Cinque Terre

Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Rio Maggiore (From North to South)

September 9-12, 2023

After taking the train thru Pisa from Bologna, the four of us (Pat, Glenna, Mike, Sandy) arrived in Monterossa and took the time on the waterway to enjoy the beautiful views. While there, we did find a small bar / Cafe to buy a couple of large bottles of beer to quench our thirst as we waited for the taxi. The Alberto Ristorante Delhi Amice Hotel was not far away but schlepping the luggage up the hills and not really knowing how far it was , was out of the question. Checked into our rooms and set out for the day. Pat, Glenna and Sandy went for a walk around town while Mike found a small pub to enjoy a beer and rest his weary knee. The town was small but crowded with lots of shops, restaurants cafes and small markets with fresh fruits and vegetables. We had dinner at the Restorante Moretto in the town square with steaks, mussels, calamari, fresh Italian breads and some wine to wash it all down. Back to hotel and found a rooftop terraced deck with tables and chairs and a stunnng view of the town and harbor. This made for a perfect place to play some cards, drink a bottle of wine we purchased at the local market and watch the sunset.

Day Two: The breakfast at the hotel was really good with pleanty of fresh fruits, yogurt, dry scrambled eggs or eggs to order (YES) along with the typical display of breads, croissants, and american coffee. Walked down to the dock and boarded our sight seeing tour for the next 3 hours. The Ale Terre Boat Tours with Alessandro and Tomi as Captain and guide procedded to take us on our Magical Mystery Tour along the coast of the Ligurian Sea. The views of the 5 towns and a couple of small villages on top of some hills was spectacular. Thank you Judy and Mike for suggesting we take this tour and seeing Cinque Terre from the water. Two swimming stops, a very nice lunch with Procsecco, Beer for Mike and cold water made the trip a huge success. More walks around town, stopped at now our favorite wine store and headed to the rooftop deck for a repeat of last nights shenanigans. Mike and Sandy went to dinner and Pat and Glenna called it a night.

Day Three: Repeat on the good breakfast and off to the train to head to the town of Manarolo to start our journey visiting all five little towns. Our goal was to walk to Corniglia but after walking most of the way there, the trail was washed out and the detour took you over the mountain for another 3 hours to get there. We passed, turned around and walked back to town. Took the trains to the other towns. All were very crowded and after walking up and down and up and down these all seemed the same. We stopped in Vernazza to have lunch at Restorante Gamgero Rosso overlooking the harbor. Good pasta, burrata and some house white wine served by one the best waiters we have ever had. Timothy hustled his way around the busy restaurant and kitchen to make the dining experience a treat. He wanted to take a picture with us at the end for his memories. (Maybe I tipped him to much). Walked and walked each town and back to the hotel. Wine on the rooftop deck with cards, sunset and a final final with Mike and Sandy. Next morning we had breakfast then hit the trains, Pat and Glenna heading to the Amalfi Coast, Mike and Sandy heading to Lake Como.