Vernazza

The approach to Vernazza has great views of the town. It almost looks like a ship heading out to see from that angle.

Vernazza is the fourth town, the one closest to Monterosso and perhaps the most picturesque.

After our long hike we walked around town and then stopped at the Ristorantre Bar Al Castello which overlooks the harbor and Vernazza's main piazza.

We were able to catch the ferry for a ride back to Monterosso. That was a good thing because our legs were pretty tired. It wouldn't be too difficult to hike all five towns in one day, but if I were to do that I'd start from Monterosso and head to Riomaggiore, then take the train or bus back. That way, the harder hiking would be earlier in the day.

Back in Monterosso

On the left is Monterosso, taken from the boat.

Once back, we had enough time for some R&R on the beach. These chairs were in front of another hotel (not ours) and we had to pay the "lifeguard" for their use.

A little later it was time for a beverage at the Mexico Caffé which has a nice little deck overlooking the street and ocean. I finally had an opportunity to smoke the one Cuban cigar of the trip, one which I bought in Lucca and had been carrying around. It was good!

Saturday - Back to Vernazza

We decided that it would be a shame to leave Cinque Terre without hiking between all five towns so we decided to hike to Vernazza again, this time from Monterosso, and take the train back.

So, after an "American Breakfast" (stick with the Italian breakfast) at Bar Davi we gathered ourselves up and headed out.

The path to Vernazza was the toughest but still not anything really difficult and the views leaving Monterosso and approaching Vernazza were spectacular. The above photos are all views of Monterosso as we headed east, out and up.

The trails were well maintained and, in many areas, solid rock worn smooth by generations of farmers and tourists.

Approaching Vernazza on the trail from Monterosso

The boat hull turn out to be a planter box. The streets of Vernazza.

Phone Home! The train station at Vernazza.

The train station at Monterosso and a view of our hotel from the area near the parking lot where we left our car for three days (48 Euros).