Viarregio, Porto Venere, Cinque Terre

As we sit in our room at the end of today (Tuesday) and reflect on the last few days, we are, as usual, blown away by how much we do each day. Our days always end with much satisfaction, tired feet and a drink!

Sunday was spent with  Zio Sergio and his family. Zio Sergio took us on a tour of Viarregio, Forte di Marme and Lido, where we lunched at an amazing beach side restaurant for a feast of seafood. The towering mountains of white marble at Carrera loomed in the distance as if capped by snow. Imagine Michelangelo selecting his piece of marble from slabs cut from these mountains, and producing a masterpiece such as ‘David’. Incomprehensible when you actually see the enormity of the mountains.

L to R. Matteo, Zio Sergio, Paolo, Zia Elsa, Monica,
 Tina and Elisabetta (who still needs a boyfriend !!)

Viarregio is a sea-side resort, with villas and apartments. Few people live here permanently (Elisabetta, my cousin, who is still after a man, is one) while for others these villas are their second sea-side homes. The wide marbled pavement shopping area of Viarregio located on the foreshore and is many kilometers long. Shop after shop sell their exclusive wares, while the ‘Bagno’ on the beach front prepares for the following day. Umbrellas and sun lounges are folded and clean and sit neatly in rows for sun-bathers who have longingly waited for the sun through cold winter days.

Along the molo, Viarregio in the background

 

Before a typical late dinner we strolled along the promenade shopping area and molo (jetty).

Paul was amazed to see that they actually surfed in Italy.

A simple but satisfying meal prepared by Elisabetta was a perfect end to a perfect day.

On Monday morning we caught the train from Viarregio to our 2 night stop-over in La Spezia,  where we are staying as our base for visiting Porto Venere, Cinque Terre (and Portofino).   



Porto Venere  - Stunning



Are we excited to be in Porto Venere
or what !??



A short ferry ride took us to Porto Venere, named after the Goddess Venus. Porto Venere  is recognised as one of the most romantic villiages on the Ligurian coast, with its narrow streets and pastel coloured houses.   

 



Vernazza - looks like a tiny model.

 Today’s adventure started in La Spezia to the Cinque Terre, which comprise 5 self contained villages – Rio Maggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, Monterosso al Mare. This region has been made famous by the likes of Getaway, and therefore attracts huge numbers of Australians.





These villages are located on rocky coastline, clinging dramatically to the steep cliffs. Up until recently, all villages were linked only by narrow footpaths known as the Sentiero Azzuro (blue path).

We walked from Rio Maggiore to Manorola on the Via Del’Amore (Lover’s Lane) which was easy peasy!

We also walked the path between Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare which, according to published information, should take about two hours. We managed to complete it in four hours, including morning coffee, lunch and many, many photos stops. Woo Hoo!!!!

 

The path was treacherously narrow and afforded one way pedestrian traffic only in many parts. The views were spectacular, and regrettably the photos fail to convey the steepness and immense space before us. You could not help but constantly stop to admire the breath-taking views.

For every step higher and higher into the mountain, we knew we would have to take as many to descend. Our knees held out well, although trembling by the time we reached the flat promenade!!!



Monterosso

We rewarded ourselves with dinner, beer (for Paul) and Spritz on the foreshore of Monterosso, before heading home (home is where you lay your head at night, La Spezia tonight!). 


So many days, so many beds...

As you can see, we are still having superb weather...How's the weather in Adelaide...?

BAHAHAHA!

P.S. I TOTALLY agree with Nelda and Lisa. Lucca is great for shopping. I bought my first pair of shoes there!




Good-night from us! 'till next time xxxx Tina and Paul