We picked up our small Volkswagen from Florence Thrifty car rental around noon time. After a quick and yet delicious lunch at a nearby restaurant, we head off to our final destination - Cinque Terre.
Cinque Terre in Italian means "Five lands" which cling to the Ligurian Cliff along Italy's west coast. The five lands were once peaceful fishing villages but now have become a very popular tourist attractions. Each villages has its charm and one should explore the 5 villages.
We drove from Florence to where we stay "Locanda Da Marco" at Pignone, a very small village, a very local B&B away from La Spezia. The journey from Florence to Pignone was about 2 1/2 hours. The traffic at the motorway was very bad. We were caught in the slow traffic for more than hour. After exit the motorway, the road leading to our B&B was winding, and series of bend.
We reached our B&B about 7pm, The sat nav did not bring us directly at the front of the B&B, so we had some challenge communicating with the local asking for direction. Finally, we called Corinne and her friends, and we were united.
Pignone is a very small village with small town center. As night drawn, we were all tired from the long drive (Corinne drove from Lake como and Milan), we settled down in one of the Pizza restaurant. The food was not great, but we enjoyed ourselves much with catching up, and we got to know Corinne's friend - Joseph and Charlene.
We were there during the end summer season, the weather was cooling at night. At night, the villagers, being women, kids ...will come out from their house and gather together at the small town hall. Children playing balls, women sitting together chit-chatting. How simple life it is. This is what the busy city people missing.
We were back to our B&B around 10pm. The house was a double storey house with 9 guestroom. Next to it were the restaurant run by the owners. We occupied the 3 rooms upstairs. The room and bathroom was clean, but there was no air-conditioner, and being a clean freak, i do not dare to use the blanket. Oh , there was no wifi. At night, I had difficulty falling asleep, and i was woke up by unknown itchness caused by unknown insect bites. I woke up to put my socks on, and cover my self with my jacket. Well, for a price GBP 126 for 2 nights, I should not complain much. At least it was very clean.
Next day, rise and shine. We had the breakfast together. The coffee was nice, and the homemade croissant was delicious too. But the owner lady only allowed us to have 1 piece, and no refill.
Driving and parking in the 5 little villages are difficult as the roads are extremely dangerous and narrow, parking is limited too. So we drove to the bigger town-Levanto with plentiful of paid secured parking which was conveniently next to the train station.
The unlimited train and trail pass for full day costs Eur24 each. We took the train from Levanto to Monterosso, the first and busiest village from the north.
Monterosso is the largest of the five, and most touristy crowded with many beach lovers.
To explore the real beauty of the 5 villages, the best way is to hike. Having said that, for a height phobia person like me, and who deters all the adventurous stuff, I definitely will not initiate the idea to hike. But Charlene was quite enthusiastic about this, and we think it could be quite fun to do the hike together.
Our first trail and the final trail was to hike from Monterosso to Vernazza. The beginning seemed easy, starting from the new town of Monterosso to the old town, walking along the protected coast stairs ( my legs still trembled while walking up the stairs, useless!!)
We were on the #Trail 2 which was the longest and most difficults. It had many narrows stairs and passages. The uncountable stairs were the killer. We took a few short break in between. After reaching up to flat ground, We met a young Australian lady who was an experienced hiker told us we have completed on 1/3 of the total trail.
Although the trail was only 3 km and the internet says take 2 hours. I think this is the guideline from expert hikers. For first timer like me, it took us more than double to complete the trail. There were some sections without handrail, which I got frightened. But there was no turning back, we would have to keep walking. Thankfully to my dear, walking behind me to watch out me , and carried my heavy weight bag so as I could then walk easily.
On reaching the final point, we stopped at the camera spot for panorama view of Vernazza. Well, though the trek was tough, but probably if I had prepared for the trek. However after the first experience, I do not mind for another trek. To prepare for that, we need to bring alot of water, some treats to energize ourselves.
Vernazza is a very charming villages. The view from atop was amazing. We stop over for many camera shots. It is right on the water, and there is a church tower on one side. The ruins of a castle are on one of the hills overlooking Vernazza.
After reaching the ground, we settled down in one of the restaurants for food and drink to replenish our lost energy. I really sweat alot. But think about it . It was fine. However, we all decided not to trek from Vernazza to Corniglia as we were exhausted after the first trail.
Corniglia is the only village which not on the water, but on top of the cliff. We decided to take the train. But the train brought us back to Monterosso . The timetable was incorrect. While at Monterosso, we waited under the hot sun for almost 45 minutes and no train in sight. The next train came but brought us to La Spezia instead. As the time was running late after all the delays by the train, we were not able to make it to the rest 3 villages. We decided to stop at another most popular villages-Manarola . We were there about 5pm, and after some photo taking and walking around, we catch the 6:25pm train back to Levanto. We have missed Corniglia and Riomaggiore .
We had our last night dinner at the restaurant run by the B&B owner. Food was not fantastic, but the restaurant was packed with locals. The price was cheap.
The next day after breakfast, we said goodbye to our dear friends from Singapore, we head off to the Florence airport to fly back to Nottingham, and they continue their journey to Florence and Pisa.
I love this place, love the companion, and now I still do miss the trekking experience with them. If there is chance to come back to Cinque Terre, I would say yes.
