Days: 14 - 16
Sept. 29- Oct 1, 2006
Euros
Conversion rate on
our visit:
$1.27 = €1.00
Cinque Terre
                       
       
What We Had
Low to Mid 70s
Beautiful
Averages
High: 73° F Low: 55° F
 Current Conditions
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Page Index
What We Saw
•  On our way to the Cinque Terre
•  The rest of Day 1...in the Cinque Terre
•  Our full day in the Cinque Terre (part 1)
•  Our full day in the Cinque Terre (part 2)
Where We Ate
•  I Tre Archi Lunch 1st day
•  Belvedere Restaurant Dinner 1st Night
•  PIZZERIA La Cambusa
•  Albergo Pasquale Dinner 2nd Night
Where We Stayed
•  Hotel Punta Mesco

 
  Where We Ate I Tre Archi Lunch 1st day
Sept. 29, 2006

I Tre Archi Lunch 1st day
Piazza Garibaldi, 7
Massa Maritima - GR
Tel: 0566.902274
 
 
  Where We Stayed Hotel Punta Mesco
 

Hotel Punta Mesco
Via Molinelli 35
Monterosso, 19016, Italy
Tel: 011 39 0187 817 495
FAX: 011 39 0187 817 495
         
 
 
  Previous or Next City

   
 
  What We Saw On our way to the Cinque Terre
Sept. 29, 2006
As we left Rome we passed by the Circus Maximus. This is the arena where races took place such as those seen in Ben Hur. Next we drove thru the planned community on the outskirt of Rome that was built by Mussolini. The buildings were a modern ancient Rome and many were made of marble. It took about an hour to drive to this large locale with a lot of people due to the numerous apartment buildings.












On our way, stopped in the town of Massa Marittima located in southern Tuscanny.  It's a charming place with a number of things to see.  We, however, stayed only a short time including lunch at I Tre Archi.













The Cinque Terre is part of the Italian Riveria. Normally you'd get there by the highway that borders the western side of Italy. However, Lisa surprised us with an alternative route. Instead of the highway, we took a two lane road. Our first sight on the coast was a glimpse of the ancient Roman port city of Ostia Antica. Lisa told us that this city has ruins that rival those of Pompeii. Also, we were fortunate to get a fleeting look at the Leaning Tower of Pisa. We had a great view of the coast with farm lands, olive groves, and even got a glimpse of Elba (Napoleon's favorite "resort").  There ws simply no way to get our bus to the hotel.  Instead we left the bus at a train station and boarded a train which took us within walking distance of our hotel.

The Cinque Terre, was five small old villages built by "Costa Ligure of Levante" in the hillside. The colorfully painted pastel buildings in the villages from north to south are: Monterosso al Mare (where we stayed), Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. Since 1926, the Cinque Terre towns have been part of the province of La Spezia.
 
 
 
  Where We Ate Belvedere Restaurant Dinner 1st Night
Sept. 29, 2006
Dinner was quite an experience. Our waitress was VERY colorful. Not only did she provide great service, she was entertaining as well.

Belvedere Restaurant Dinner 1st Night
Pizza Garibaldi, 38
Monterosso al Mere, 19016, Italy
Tel: 39 0187 817033
FAX: 39 0187 817033
         
 
 
  Where We Ate PIZZERIA La Cambusa
Sept. 30, 2006

PIZZERIA La Cambusa
Via R. Birolli, 114
Manarola (Cinque Terre)
 
  What We Saw The rest of Day 1...in the Cinque Terre
Sept. 30, 2006
Our first day was spent walking the town, washing out some clothes (that then went to the really neat laundry around the corner because they were rained on) and having dinner. The dinner (Belvedere Restaurant below) was quite an experience. Our waitress (left) was VERY colorful. Not only did she provide great service, she was entertaining as well.




 
 
  What We Saw Our full day in the Cinque Terre (part 1)
Sept. 30, 2006



Day two was spent visiting four of the five cities that make up the Cinque Terre. We started with a ferry ride to Riomaggiore. It's the town that is farthest to the east. The ride to Riomaggiore gave us a great view of the coast and the trail we would hike on our return trip. Riomaggiore was a small fishing town preparing for winter. Notice the boats that have been pulled up on to the main street. There were a number of shops up and down the main street. The view back down into the harbor was marvelous. We understood there was a hiking trail that took you back to Monterosso. However, we had difficulty finding the starting point. Also, we didn't know that a very simple set of symbols marked the trail. Fortunately, another tourist pointed out the beginning of the trail to us.






Hiking to Manarola was a lot of fun. We walked on a trail that was fairly high up the hillside with a great view of the Ligurian Sea. Along the way we stopped to figure out where we were, before we were told about the symbols that marked the path. We also ran into some locals that were helpful and friendly (left). We stopped at a take away (for carry out food) and continued on to Cornila, stopping along the way to eat lunch.

After lunch we continued our hike to Cornila. This segment of the Cinque Terre trail was a little steeper but it was still a fairly easy walk. We moved both higher up the hillside (for even a better view) and at one point almost on the water (the picture on the right was taken by Rick and Silvia, who we met along the way). Our goal, once we reached Cornila, was to find the train station, buy our ticket back to Monterosso and catch the next train. Why didn't we hike any further? Rick describes the next segment of the trail as being difficult. If there is one thing we had learned on our tour, it's that Rick means what he says. If he says the hike will be difficult it's not one we're going to take. Besides, the train ride was a lot quicker and a fun time.

[Click to Enlarge] Our second dinner was at a local restaurant where Lisa had arranged for a pesto making demonstration. Felicita (right), one of the owners, did the demo. None of this blender style pesto...she used a large mortar and pestle. Very interesting and very tasty!
 
  What We Saw Our full day in the Cinque Terre (part 2)
Sept. 30, 2006



We stopped at a take away (for carry out food) and continued on to Cornila, stopping along the way to eat lunch.


















After lunch we continued our hike to Cornila. This segment of the Cinque Terre trail was a little steeper but it was still a fairly easy walk. We moved both higher up the hillside (for even a better view) and at one point almost on the water (the picture on the right was taken by Rick and Silvia, who we met along the way). Our goal, once we reached Cornila, was to find the train station, buy our ticket back to Monterosso and catch the next train. Why didn't we hike any further? Rick describes the next segment of the trail as being difficult. If there is one thing we had learned on our tour, it's that Rick means what he says. If he says the hike will be difficult it's not one we're going to take. Besides, the train ride was a lot quicker and a fun time.

 
 
 
  Where We Ate Albergo Pasquale Dinner 2nd Night
Sept. 30, 2006

Our second dinner was at a local restaurant where Lisa had arranged for a pesto making demonstration. Felicita (right), one of the owners, did the demo. None of this blender style pesto...she used a large mortar and pestle. Very interesting and very tasty!

Albergo Pasquale Dinner 2nd Night
via Fegina 4
Monterosso al Mare, 19016 Italy
Tel: 0039 (00187 817550
FAX: 0039 (0) 187 817056