Part Two - The Cinque Terre / Five Villages

After we left Venice, we took the train west to Padua (Padova),
where we spent one night at our first monastery, the Casa Del Pellegrino right across the Basilica di San Antonio, a very impressive church.

What an amazing experience! 
Unfortunately we did not take any pictures, as we were so busy exploring Padova
-City of Galileo, Dante and Verdi. 

We concluded a perfect day with one of the best Italian meals in an seemingly 
average looking Enocteca favored by locals-
(always a good sign) 


I watched them chatting up a storm as they engaged in animated conversations across the room 
(looked as though they were fighting to us),
sharing tables or stopping by for a glass of vino,
child on one hand and dog leash in the other...
that just put a smile on my face- 
life is too short not to live it to the fullest :)

Then off we went the next morning via Train to the coastline of the Ligurian Sea 
to spend a few days hiking the 

Cinque Terre.


 The Cinque Terre are five self-contained villages:
Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore- 
located on the rocky coastline of the Riviera di Levante. 

Clinging to steep ciffs amoungst vineyards and olive groves 
(as you can see on the first pic below), 
these villages are linked by ancient footpath 
known as the 
Sentiero Azzuro, 
with some spectacular views.

So we were on the train again and continued south-west to La Spezia 
via Modena ( famous for its balsamic vinegar) and 
Parma (Procuitto- yum!- need I say more?). 

La Spezia is located between Genoa and Pisa on the Ligurian Sea. 

A small train took us to Vernazza, one of the five villages of the Cinque Terre. 
We had rented a room there; 
somewhere in a house build into the rock up in a narrow alley: 
lots of steep, uneven steps to climb with our luggage in tow! 
It was great! In fact, we could not get enough of the climbing, so the next morning we started our hike following the Sentiero Azzuro leading to Monterosso al Mare.

Leaving Vernazza:

Straight down the Ligurian Sea

Making our way through narrow alleys within the villages

Houses build right into the rock

Olive Groves and fig trees as far as the eye can see

We enjoyed it so much that we hiked the same path back that night, 
enjoying a beautiful sunset.

The next day took us in the opposite direction: 
Hugging the shoreline we climbed up and down to Cornelia, Manarola, 
before making it all the way to Riomaggiore. 
Such a hidden gem this place called Cinque Terre!

Riomaggiore

 

The homes of Manorola



 

Yes, this is the 'main path' leading through Manorola

Attenti Al Cane

 

"Nonas" taking a break:

 Seemed as though everybody needed a break from the mid-day sun...

On one of these paths we saw this little tent...for cats. 
Now, cats as well as dogs are generally not as revered in Italy as over here, 
but beside the tent was a cooler box with this writing attached: 

"Would you please feed the cats when you come along this path- 
they are hungry and homeless". 

 

We were very willing to do that of course, 
but there was no food left except one can of cat-food...
and its tab had been broken off. 
My cat-loving husband broke several branches, 
stones and almost stabbed himself in the process of trying to pry this sucker open....

With success- 
the cats were happy, too ;)

 

We thoroughly enjoyed these days of great scenery, quietness in nature, hiking and good food. 
It was nice to have a change of pace and to just to 'be'. 
Off to Florence tomorrow!