Cinque Terre...No Shoppin, Just Walkin

We arrived by train into Monterosso which would be our base for the next two nights. As I suggested in the title, walking and hiking is to be our focus. The following morning we took a short train ride to Riomaggore, one of the five Cinque Terre towns, to start our 13 km hike to Portovenere. Our aim was to catch the 4:30 ferry back and as it turned out we only had about 10 minutes to spare. This hike was to take us about 6 hours and it required the agility of a hermit crab and the sure footed and confident demeanor of a mountain goat.

The hike was extremely challenging but the  views were outstanding despite the overcast day and the reward of getting off the beaten path, with relatively few tourists was well worth the effort. See my video below.

Though we would have loved to have spent more time in Portovenere, the 1 1/2 hour boat ride back, stopping along the way, at the other towns of Cinque Terre was something to experience.

Another great night of dining on fresh mussels and fish and a good bottle of the local rosso and it was off to our three star. Very clean and compact but I haven't slept in a bed this small since I left my crib as a one year old. No shopping for Gucci handbags, Armani clothing or shoes and it was back on the road to Bonassola. Our luggage would be transported and all we had to do was hike another 10 Km. Easier said than done as the first km uphill took the better part of an hour and we still had further to climb. But again the rewards were spectacular views that most tourists don't get to experience.

After a brief lunch stop in Levanto, we opted to take the cycle route to our final destination. Hiking through abandoned train tunnels gave us great views from the coastal level.See video below. I think we may well rent bikes today and follow the cycle path onto our next destination of Framura. The sun is shining and the tourist season is winding down so we will be able to appreciate this area without the swelling crowds. Our hotel will actually in fact close down when we leave tomorrow. Saluti!!