Cinque Terra August 29 - Sept 3
We were picked up in the front of our hotel by Ion (pronounced EE-Wan), from Day Trip. The drive down was about 8.5 hours, but it was faster than the train would have been. We ran into a few obstacles, like the complete closure of the main highway on our route to Cinque Terra. Ion was able to get us around another huge traffic jam going through the tunnel in Switzerland by taking a side road that connected back with the entrance to the tunnel past all of the traffic.
We arrived at our hotel, La Spiaggia, and were able to get checked in quickly. After freshening up, our group of six headed down toward the old town. We stopped at Restaurant Cigolini, which is right on the waterfront for dinner. Not a good choice. The waitress was not very friendly, and the food choices were limited. The menu was geared more towards light snacks. It had been a long day so it was an early bedtime tonight.
August 30 -The next morning, after a wonderful breakfast we stopped by the laundromat to drop off our clothes for washing and drying. It was really convenient, as they later delivered everything to our hotel. Next, we headed down to the marina to purchase the all day boat ticket. The boat stopped at Vernazza, Manarola, Rigomaggiore, and lastly Porto Venere. At Porto Venere, we had about 90 minutes to explore, and we found a nice restaurant on the water to have drinks. Bill and Karen ordered a gin and tonic, and the drinks came in a tall glass that was filled 3/4 to the top with alcohol!! Talk about a stiff drink!! That night for dinner, we walked around the corner from our hotel to La Taverna.
September 1 - We al bought the Cinque Terra Card, which allowed us to take the train all day, as well as hike the trails. After visiting Vernazza, Manarola, and Rigomaggiore, we embarked on our hike from Corniglia to Vernazza. Blaine had promised that it was downhill from Corniglia, and it was after we hiked uphill to the bar at the halfway point!! Oops, guess you can’t trust the memory of a 70 year old!! After an exhausting day, we enjoyed a nice dinner at Restaurant Ely, in old town. After dinner there was a concert in the town square. The previous night there was a concert down by the marina, where locals and tourists danced the night away.
September 2 - Today our group of six explored the old cemetery in Monterosso. It’s an above ground cemetery, with mausoleums and crypts. Such a beautiful place. It’s fascinating to imagine the lives of the people laid to rest there. We stopped for drinks at Midi Bar, where Jeri forever laments not getting her anchovy dish in 2018. Blaine had to nap after the huge beer he received! Before heading back to old town, Bill made friends with the mayor of Monterosso, and we got to take a picture with the mayor and the police chief. Our last night in Monterosso, we ate at Barabba in White. Jeri had the best pizza she’s ever had!! The owner is Barabba, and it was fun to watch him stroll around the restaurant, greeting guests, and overseeing the whole operation. After dinner, everyone, (except Blaine) strolled down to the marina for another concert.
