Il Viaggio Italiano: Cinque Terre Mozzafiato

The Cinque Terre (Five Lands) region is breath-taking and to say we captured the beauty in its entirety through our photos would be unfair. All the towns are unique and we chose to make our home base in Vernazza, the fourth of the five towns. Vernazza is a good mix of local and tourist. In my opinion we met the friendliest Italians in this city.

Vernazza has the only natural harbor of the five cities and is tucked in between steep coastal mountains that are speckled with vineyards. It's amazing how locals have learned to live with the rugged landscape. When we first arrived it seemed that everyone takes the afternoon off to sun-bathe on the tiny beach or lounge along the cement pier. Along the water could be considered the town center it's so popular!

Our first night we fell into the dining tourist trap, eating at a restaurant near the top of the fort. While the food was mediocre and the service awful, the view was incredible.

We began each morning by eating pastries at The Pirate Cafe, which is run by Mossimo. He loves Americans and is real good at B.S.ing. Mossimo had Ken believing that his brother lived in Florida. Until one morning Ken asked in what city to which Mossimo replied, "Orlando. You probably know him, Micky Mouse". While Mossimo liked to tease, it was obvious the guy knew how to bake!

An Apple Pastry

Cream filled Croissant

The next morning we started our first hike. The Cinque Terre is a large national park which has rugged hiking trails that run through the mountains linking all five towns. Our first hike was from Vernazza to Monterosso (the fifth town). We weren't quite prepared for these type of hiking trails! Stairways leading straight up, one way paths, and treacherous downhills is what we encountered. The trail was busy with hikers of all age, so apparently the risk of falling off a cliff into the Lingurian Sea is worth it! And I'll admit, it was hard work but worth the battle!

Vernazza's Harbor

Vernazza and the Fort

Vernazza

Ken with Vernazza in the background

Hillside vineyard with Monterosso in background

Old Town Monterosso

The beach in Old Town Monterosso

After the two hour hike to Monterosso we were famished. We set up camp at a beach side Cafe and had our first taste of Italian Focaccia bread. Incredible! The most delicious sandwiches we have ever eaten in our lives! Of course at that point we probably would have eaten cardboard, but these sandwiches were "Da Bomb"! After lunch we hit the beach for a little sunbathing. We've been a little spoiled with the Florida Gulf coast beaches because this beach was pebbly and the water was COLD! By the way, Italians (and possibly most Europeans) are not timid when it comes to stripping down. We weren't on a nude beach but that didn't really matter to some people.

After lounging for an hour we mosied into Old Town Monterosso and then over to the more ritzy part of town, New Monterosso. Of all five towns, Monterosso is most well known as the vacation town with the best beaches.

Buildings of Old Town Monterosso

A church in Old Town Monterosso

New Monterosso

There was no way we were going back to Vernazza the way we came so we took a boat back. It was a quick five minute ride with great views!

Vineyards that cling to the rocky mountainside

Vernazza from afar

Vernazza as we come into port with vineyards in the background

That night we decided to eat local specialities: seafood and pesto. For those who know mine and Ken's palates, I'm sure you can pick who ate which plate of food!

Seafood Spaghetti

Fresh pesto with handmade pasta

Our second day in Cinque Terre and we're off on a hike to the next town, Corniglia (third of the five towns). The distance between these two was shorter than the day before but steeper and just as much work! But as the prior day, work was rewarded with beautiful views.

View of the south side of Vernazza and the fort

Vernazza

This is the hiking path and yes, the cliff down to the water is right next to the path!

Kendra near the hiking path cliff

Awesome view!

Ken going all artsy photographer on me!

Town of Corniglia

Hillside vineyard in Corniglia

We didn't have enough time to hike through all the towns so we caught a train from Corniglia to Manarola and then walked the via dell'amore (the lovers walk) to Riomaggiore. There is an interesting history behind this walk. Before the towns were connected by train there was no way to get from town to town and usually people were stuck marrying someone from their hometown. A trail was made connecting Manarola with Riomaggiore. People would walk this trail to meet their lover in the middle. As a symbol of "locking in their love" people now place padlocks at the mid-way point of this trail.

Backside of Manarola

All the love that's been "locked-in" on the Via Dell'Amore

A view of Manarola and the rail line from Via Dell'Amore

Ken and the Via Dell'Amore

Fantastic view with Riomaggiore in the background

For our final meal in the Cinque Terre we hopped the train to Monterosso. The food was great and we were in good company. Met a nice couple who, of all places, were from Lynnwood, WA. It really is a small world!