On to Cinque Terre

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We were awoken in the very early morning by an intense thunder and lightening storm. Eventually we gave up on sleep, got busy packing, then caught the late morning train to Vernazza in the Cinque Terre area along the coast of Italy. The skies were clearing when we arrived in the mid-afternoon, and we found the enoteca where we were to meet Giuliano of "Camere Giuliano", our home for the next few days. He helped us carry our bags--good thing since it was all uphill and up lots of stairs to reach his 4 rooms carved out of the terraces that rise above the town--and we settled into our room.

Next on the agenda was to buy some wine, bread and pesto (that the area is known for) to enjoy on our rooftop deck, with its view of the town and out to the sea. Then we took the two minute stroll down the main street--the entire town is pedestrian only--to the main piazza/harbor/breakwater, which is the hub of the town, to check out the scene. The piazza was filled with fishing boats that had been brought up out of the water for protection from the rainstorms of the previous couple of days, and the surf was still crashing onto the breakwater.

Later we had a pretty forgettable dinner at one of the many restaurants that front the harbor, but we didn't feel to cheated, as our happy hour snacks had satisfied our tastebuds.

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Photos

Arrival in Cinque Terre
We took the local train from La Spezia to Vernazza, and Dave shot this view of Manarola, one of the so called "Five Lands" or Cinque Terre, that are perched above the sea on the Ligurian coast.

Waiting for Giuliano
at the Enoteca Sul'Arco, which we visited later for "supplies".

Camere Giuliano
Built by Giuliano, himself, these stone rooms are carved into the terraced hillside and surrounded by vegetable gardens and grapevines growing on the steep terraces.

Villino Sofia
Our room, Villino Sofia (named after Giuliano's daughter) is the one detached unit, with its own rooftop terrace, and a killer view of the town.

Inside Villino Sofia
Rustic, but immaculate, with lots of craftsman touches...

Main Piazza on the Harbor
The fishing boats had been brought up into the piazza for protection from the day's storms.

View of Vernazza & Harbor
Taken while standing on the breakwater...