After breakfast with Carlo the owner and chef at Albergo Primavera (a breakfast that included scrambled eggs and bacon! A first on this trip!), we caught the train back down the coast to the most southern Cinque Terre town of Riomaggiore where we do the "Lover's Walk". Harry and I had done this walk in 2006 with Petters and Vissers when we were on a Mediterranean cruise. This was a different experience because this time we made the walk in the pouring rain!
Remembering 2006 Lover's Walk in the sunshine!
The walk takes us to the next Cinque Terre town, Manarola. We have time for a cappucino and a piece of chocolate.
Manarola does not have a suitable port for the fishing boats to be, so all the boats are pulled up onto the streets when the fishermen come in from the sea in the afternoon.
Like all the Cinque Terre towns, farming is done on terraces formed on the steep slopes. Grapes, olives, and almonds are the products grown here.
We reach the next town by both train and then a shuttle bus, which brings us to the top of the hill, where Corniglia sits. Harry and I have lunch with a soldier who was finished with his tour of duty and travelling throughout Europe, with Rick Steves' travel book in hand, before he would head back home to Ohio. After lunch, we met our tour friends and walked down the hill back to the train station.
Catching the train to Vernazza.
In Vernazza Harry and I climb a tower to get spectacular views of the village and the ocean.
Then it's time to head back to our hotel in Levanto.
Harry and I don swimsuits and take a dip in the Ligurian Sea, which is just a short walk from our hotel.
Before the feast which Carlo, our host, has prepared for us,
we have wine outside on the patio. I don't have any pictures of this special evening, but it was the best...the food, the company, the wine!
As the end of the tour is approaching, Tricia gives a little Pinnochio to all the men in the group and decorative note pad to all the women. We are feeling sad as we anticipate saying goodbye.
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