Thursday, June 23, 2011

A day on the Italian Riviera....

As I may perhaps have mentioned (!) I spent the last 2 weeks of April and the 1st week of May in Italy. 
One of the highlights was a day spent hopping along the villages of the Cinque Terre, on the Ligurian coast, by ferry boat. 
 

 The day was beautifully sunny, not too hot, a little breezy. And as it was early in the season, not too crowded!
 Early in the morning we caught the boat at the old naval station city of 
La Spezia

not long afterwards, we rounded a cape to stop briefly to change ferries at Porto Venere
 

Thirty minutes later we were at the first of the Five Villages, Riomaggiore


From there we had the option of getting back on a ferry to the next village, Manarola, or walking along the cliff path to meet the boat there, which I did

  It was a very easy walk and left us some time before catching the ferry to the village, Vernazza 
(the prettiest according to our guide).

Three hours at the last village, Monterosso, meant plenty of time for a leisurely lunch and 
lots of exploring
Finally we got one of the frequent trains to our destination for the next 3 days, Santa Margherita, one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. But that's another post.... 

Please click on photos to enlarge

7 comments:

  1. Oh how lovely, can't wait for the next post too. The weather appears just as you described it...and being not the tourist season an excellent adventure I'm sure. The cluster of houses that form in a V a great photo, as all, giving us a glimpse of fascinating Italy! I favor the exploring time, and the walk along was priceless I'm sure! A trip to remember!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gorgeous!
    And I've been to La Spezia! I remember the name. It's just been a couple of decades.....
    Great shots. I'm glad you had such a fun trip.

    ReplyDelete
  3. great pictures!
    looks and sounds like a lot of fun. i love the pictures of those colorful buildings...crammed in together...in the V...right there in the hillside...wow! thanks for the trip!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wonderful pictures. I haven't been to Italy since 1971, but your pictures brought back some hazy, long lost memories. Again, loved the pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  5. You know how to live--that's all I can say!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks everyone :)

    Karen - it sure was one to remember, and particularly these few days

    Writer - yes it was fun thanks. it really is a gorgeous part of the world!

    Laura - you're welcome! those villages are special..

    Max - thank you. Don't be too encouraging - there are lots more ;)

    Galen - trying to learn - travel helps, I find!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Good, I'm looking forward to seeing them!

    ReplyDelete

It's great when you leave a note!