Manarola and Vernazza

Looking Down at Manarola

Our original plan for today was to hike the coastal trail from Manarola to Riomaggiore.  However, when we went to the national park office to buy our trail pass, the staff told us that that particular trail was closed.  So we did the Rick Steves walking tour of Manarola.  This walk took us up into the terraced vineyards above the town.  It involved some difficult climbing, but we were rewarded with beautiful views of Manarola.

Near the end of the Manarola Walking Tour

We finished up this walk at about 11:00 am and hopped on the train to Vernazza, considered by some to be the most beautiful of the 5 Cinque Terre villages.  Again we were in a seaside town that quickly climbed into very steep hills.  We followed only part of Rick Steve's tour because of the amount of climbing involved.  We made it up to the cemetery which is ridiculously high up over the village.

Marinated Anchovies

By now it was time for lunch, so we stopped at a small restaurant.  Bill had marinated anchovies for his appetizer, and they looked delicious.  I had a local specialty, pansotti, cheese ravioli in a rich walnut cream sauce.  It was delicious, but not as picturesque as Bill's anchovies.  We took the train back to Manarola.  Because our hotel is up a steep climb, we stopped for the daily gelato before making the trek to the hotel.