Cinque Terre

Up and out of the campsite at 8.50, 0n the free shuttle down to the train. After some confusion, due to (seemingly constantly) challenging Italian signage … we found the right train platform, heading south to the Cinque Terre. 4 euros for the trip south to the 5 tens, get off/on as much as you want for 6 hours. Good value.

3 stops later, and around 9.30 we were at Moterosso after 3.6km of walking the northernmost of the 5 villages of Cinque Terre, and the start of our walk. Sunny, warm, time to go! Given its low season, the track seemed surprisingly busy, so on the big climb out of the village, it was slow, many older and unfit persons ahead.

Many steps later, and many complaints about the heat from the kids (!) we made it to the top, fabulous views, but interestingly, less impressive than what I thought. Feels a little like Able Tasman, but shorter, more historic, and busier.

Exactly 1.5 hours later we arrived at Vernazza after another 3.4km of walking and 200m of ascent, a truly impressive little fishing village, perched on the cliffs above the ocean, with a small harbor. A gelato stop, and truly one of the best ice-creams ever(!) then up to Castello Doaria (3 euros) for an impressive view of the town, very worth it. Back down to the village, some pizza to fuel us back up, then back on the track to Corniglia.

1pm however and it was getting hot, provably 30 degrees, August conditions apparently, and the kids were not coping well … but they managed eventually, after many suggestions of taking concrete pills, and we made it to Corniglia in the suggested 1 hour. An immediate stop at a gelato shop, with iced limonene and gelatos to cool down. Corniglia isn’t right on the coast as the others, it’s 90m above sea level, so we had a decent walk down to the train station, to catch the train further south. The next 2 sections of the track to Manarola and Riomaggiore are still closed from slips from a big rain event over 2 years ago.

So at 3pm we jumped on the ferry, 30 euro for us all the head back to Moterosso, stopping off at each village on the way, which gave us a great perspective on the track and villages we’d visited. The kids were very glad to be not walking and also for the breeze on the boat!

Back to Moterosso at 4pm we decided cold drinks and food was in order so we stopped at bar overlooking the beach. Beer, cocktails, wine, seafood and deserts, it was a treat for a big day. But also tempting … we were overlooking the beach and people swimming … Just a fabulous way to end the day.

Back in the train at 5,45, picked up by the free shuttle and back to the campground, and then we headed back to the beach, Basking on the beach and soaking in the cool Med until 7.30. Wow, just bliss! Truly amazing.

Campsite, blogs, computers, wine, bed … off to Tuscany tomorrow!

Photo is of Manarola, one of the villages that often features, sadly we only saw it from the water. Next time ;-)