The last place I visited in Italy, Vernazza, was perhaps the most beautiful, for an outdoors kind of person like myself. Don't get me wrong, I like the museums and the art work, but if I had to pick, I would choose the outdoors.
Vernazza is one of five cities that make up the coastal area of Italy known as Cinque Terre, and it is beautiful. The cities themselves are all part of a national park and are connected by a trail that follows the mountains along the coast. Vernazza is the fourth city you visit, starting from the south and heading north. The beauty of Vernazza was enhanced by the fact that this is where I met up with my friend MBC, and after being on my own for 3 weeks it was nice to have some one to talk with and commiserate with as we hiked between Cinque Terre's five cities.
The hotel where we stayed is the red building at the far end of this picture. Very central to everything, but then again you can walk from the marina to the other side of town in five minutes, so really everything was central:
Vernazza's marina:
Looking north to Vernazza before heading south on the trail:
Looking down on Vernazza from the north:
Looking down from the trail onto Corniglia:
Manarola, this is the city where I left my camera in the pizza shop that we visited for lunch. Luckily, I discovered I was missing my camera before we the city and was able to find it at the pizzeria. Some kind soul hand given it to the owner.
Enjoying the sun:
My intrepid hiking partner and friend Mary Beth:
Looking down onto the ocean from a high point on the trail:
Just because:
And of course what blog post is complete without talking about the amazing restaurant we found called Il Pirata. It is run by twin brothers who refer to all women as bella and make all their own delectable heavenly pastries and pasta dishes. We actually pushed back our departure time from Vernazza just so we could eat lunch here. It was well worth it.
When you visit Italy, Cinque Terre is a must stop in your itinerary. If not, you will be sad.
