Arrived here on Friday 12th, after an eventful train trip from Venice. Didn’t realise we needed a reservation for EuroStar trains. Jumped on the train and then played musical chairs. Every time we got settled someone would get on and we would be in their seats and have to move. After about an hour we were standing in first class, except for Janelle who just managed to find the “special” seat. The only compensation was that the little trolley lady came around with refreshments and guess what was on the trolley – spumante! The trip then flew by and we were all happy vegemites as we staggered off the train. What a way to go for morning tea.
We transferred trains in Florence and La Spezia before arriving in the first village of Riomaggiore, where we stayed.
Our apartment was well situated but quite small. It was a real effort to get to it. Up about 40 or 50 really steep stairs (one needs to be a mountain goat). The apartment was on three levels – a bedroom on level one and two and the kitchen on the top level with a lovely balcony. One was exhausted just getting to the kitchen every morning.
We had beautiful weather. On the day we arrived we explored our village of Riomaggiore. The next day we walked (known as Lovers Walk) from Riomaggiore to Manarola. The track from Manarola to Corniglia was closed due to a land slide so we caught the train. We then hiked from Corniglia to Vernassa, which took us two hours and was very hard. There were a lot of stairs and the path was very uneven. The next day we caught the train to Monterosso (the top village) and then did the hike back to Vernassa. This also took us two hours but was much more difficult than the previous day. The upward climb was extremely steep and the path very narrow in places. A few beers for the men and wine for Janelle and I at the end was well earned. It was well worth the pain. The views were spectacular. I think some of the best scenery I have ever seen.
On a second last night we heard an almighty crash and some thunderous expletives, we rushed to the stairs and there was Phil, flat on his back at the bottom of the stairs. He had taken the fast way down and wasn’t a happy chappie. Fortunately no bones broken.
On our last day we had planned to do the inland hike from Manarola to Corniglia (which takes approx. three hours) but the day started off wet so we decided not to hike as it would be very slippery under foot. We caught the train stopping off at each village for coffee, wine, and lunch. All in all, a good day.
We picked up the hire car in La Spezia for our drive to Tuscany (with Kent behind the wheel). More of that in the next post.
We transferred trains in Florence and La Spezia before arriving in the first village of Riomaggiore, where we stayed.
Spumante for morning tea standing in first class between carriages
Phil in first class Venice to Florence
Our apartment was well situated but quite small. It was a real effort to get to it. Up about 40 or 50 really steep stairs (one needs to be a mountain goat). The apartment was on three levels – a bedroom on level one and two and the kitchen on the top level with a lovely balcony. One was exhausted just getting to the kitchen every morning.
Our village - Riomaggiore
Cornigla to Vernassa hike
Corniglia
We had beautiful weather. On the day we arrived we explored our village of Riomaggiore. The next day we walked (known as Lovers Walk) from Riomaggiore to Manarola. The track from Manarola to Corniglia was closed due to a land slide so we caught the train. We then hiked from Corniglia to Vernassa, which took us two hours and was very hard. There were a lot of stairs and the path was very uneven. The next day we caught the train to Monterosso (the top village) and then did the hike back to Vernassa. This also took us two hours but was much more difficult than the previous day. The upward climb was extremely steep and the path very narrow in places. A few beers for the men and wine for Janelle and I at the end was well earned. It was well worth the pain. The views were spectacular. I think some of the best scenery I have ever seen.
A hard hike - Monterosso to Vernassa
On a second last night we heard an almighty crash and some thunderous expletives, we rushed to the stairs and there was Phil, flat on his back at the bottom of the stairs. He had taken the fast way down and wasn’t a happy chappie. Fortunately no bones broken.
On our last day we had planned to do the inland hike from Manarola to Corniglia (which takes approx. three hours) but the day started off wet so we decided not to hike as it would be very slippery under foot. We caught the train stopping off at each village for coffee, wine, and lunch. All in all, a good day.
Wineo'clock (happy hour) in Monterosso
We picked up the hire car in La Spezia for our drive to Tuscany (with Kent behind the wheel). More of that in the next post.
No comments:
Post a Comment