24th September – 26th September
There are some places that you just have to go. I think that this was the case for us when it came to visiting a classic Italian coastal spot.. So a trip to Cinque Terre it was.
Cinque Terre, a protected National Park area, encompasses 5 small villages along a rugged stretch of the Italian coast. The villages are perched on the edge of the steep coastal terrain overlooking the ocean. What’s more, the steep hills behind the villages are scattered with vineyards.
We arrived in Corniglia, where we were staying in an apartment in a beautiful old stone terrace building in the centre of the town. Our host was a local wine producer and part of one of the eight families who actually live in Corniglia year round. She gave us some info on the area and so we decided to get out and explore straight away. We hiked our way up the steep inclines and along the mountainside from Corniglia to the next town, Manarola. As we tracked our way through the vineyards, I was blown away by the dramatic views over the cliffs, villages and out to the ocean. After making our way back to Corniglia we gave the local speciality a try; basil gelato. It was pretty damn good!
The next day we decided on more hiking. Getting up early we walked our way along the coastal path between Corniglia and Vernazza. Now, I understand that I may be fitter and more able than some, but this was a pretty damn easy walk. The number of people we encountered with their Nordic walking poles, rugged terrain hiking boots and ‘walking attire’ was truly horrifying. So to escape the hoards of oldies we then took the steep path up the mountains behind Vernazza, weaving along the ridge of hills and past the Santuario Nostra Signora di Soviore (a convent and chapel) and down into the village of Monterosso al Mare. By the end of it my legs were like jelly.. it was pretty steep. But the hike was really beautiful (and far quieter).
