Vernazza | There & Back Again - A Traveler's Tale

Archive for the ‘Vernazza’ Category

Cinque Terre by Sea

June 9, 2013

Yesterday, I took to the seas to take a look at the Cinque Terre from a new perspective. The boat left Monterossa for Vernazza where I spent a few hours wandering around. Vernazza is a pretty little town, maybe a good place to stay on a future trip. Then I hopped back on the boat to Riomaggiore, the southern most city, walked to the top of town (a long up hill climb). My plan was to walk from there to Manarolla, the last city in the region that I had not seen on this trip. However, I quickly learned that this trail was still closed from the 2011 flooding. So I opted for a walk up the mountain to a church at the very top for some of the most amazing views of the region I had seen yet (pics below). I took a different route back to town and panicked a few times that I might be off track but made it back just in time to catch the last boat to Monterosso where I had a nice dinner at Il Pozzo; awesome Insalate di Frutta di Mare, Trofie with Pesto and cinque Terre’s own white wine. Trofie is a special pasta that was invented specifically for the amazing pesto that is made in this region of Italy. The pasta and the pesto lived up to the hype. I also met a nice couple from Laguna Beach over dinner. Today, it’s off to Milan by train and Brussels by air.

Posted in Cinque Terre, Monterosso, Restaurant, Riomaggiore, Transportation, Vernazza | 3 Comments »

A walk to end all Walks

June 7, 2013

I decided to take full advantage of the Cinque Terre today by walking from Moterosso (my home base) to Vernazza and then on to Corniglia. Not only was I treated to some amazing scenery but I surpassed my max. step count in a day. My new personal best is 25,832 steps. Some advice for others traveling to the Cinque Terre. Do not go to the main train station for your walking pass (required to walk of the trails). Instead, go to the start of the trail in any of the cities. Not only will you avoid the long lines at the station but you will have more options. For example, the station does not sell multiway passes whereas the trail head checkpoints do. The one in Monterosso is at the Hotel Porto Roca.

During my hike, I found a beach at Vernazza (through the cave looking tunnel towards the port) and a great bar for a Campari Orange (fresh squeezed juice) in Corniglia (the Caffe Mateo near the main square).

I wrapped up the day with a meal back in Monterosso at the Cantina Miky (owned by the same people as the Ristorante Miky from last night). I had fried Bakalla (salt cod) and spaghetti AI Frutta di Mare (mixed seafood).

Great day in the Cinque Terre.