Cinque Terra

Cinque Terra was by far the most peacful, unpolluted and relaxed places I have been to. We arrived in Riomaggoire (the most southern city of Cinque Terra). This town like all the others is built on a cliff literally hanging over the sea and then continuing up into a valley. Riomaggoire used to have a river flowing through it but now its paved over and makes a nice access road upinto the city. No roads except this one lead into the houses of the area. If you want to skip over to your neighbors house you have to climb up or down tons of stairs, while trying to not get lost in a maze of streets, alleys, stairs and entry ways between the various houses, resturants, hostels and bars. Our first night was spent in Riomaggoireour hostel was like an apartment so we bought pasta and ate in. I got up early the next day and walked along the beach (which is made of large river rocks not sand) and then up a hill along the top ridge overlooking the entire town it was a prety sight. All the houses are so close they literally share a wall thier roofs are bright red next to the emerald blue sea and the yellow/orange sunrise. I sat on a ridge over looking the sea and the sunrise with a coffee for a bit before going back down to wake sleeping beauty. 


We headed off to hike the paths that lead between the towns around 9am and it was already hot enought to be in shorts and a tank top. The sun felt so good on our white cold skin it was great to be able to get some color and warmth. The hike between Riomaggorie and Manorola was only 20 minutes while Manorola to Corniglia was 45 minutes. Manorola was much like Riomaggorie small and on a cliff over looking the sea with one main road. Corniglia was a bit different in that we had to hike up like 400 steps to get to the town which is build way up a ridge along the ocean, from farther away the town sticks out into the ocean. We had Gilato and then started the walk back to Riomaggoire.
The walk back was beautiful, (as was the walk there) but it was later in the afternoon so the sun was setting and shining over the sea and along the ridge we were walking on.