Day 15: Cinque TerrificA Day To Relax: Today was built into the schedule as a day to relax. Lisa told us to relax however we saw fit. Some spent the day at the beach. Some visited the village shops or took a boat cruise. We went hiking! In fact, this was a day of hiking we had been looking forward to for awhile.
A Hike Along the Coast: We decided to hike from our town (Monterosso al Mare) to Vernazza and then to Corniglia. Due to recent washouts, the trails to the other two villages (Manarola and Riomaggiore) were closed, but this would be enough for us. The walk was challenging in places (the hardest being the first stretch to Vernazza), but it was very safe and manageable. In fact, it turned out to be a nice workout with spectacular views, and the weather was an ideal mid-70's with beautiful blue sky. The waters of the Ligurian Sea boasted a pretty, deep blue hue, and the water was pristine except where fresh water ran into the sea, forming milky, brackish water. All in all, it took us between 3 1/2 and 4 hours to make the walk to Corniglia, and we spent some time in each town exploring the local culture. While we could have hiked home, we decided to buy a train ticket in Corniglia and take a ride back. |
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