Italy - Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre = completely awesome.  That's all there is to say.    

Hiked from Manarola (where we were staying the 2nd of the 5 towns) to Corniglia.

The hiking was pretty strenuous and even though it was only in the 70's, it was quite warm.   The views were breath taking.  

Manarola from above

There are vineyards on the sides of the mountains that the people who work the land take up little carts on these tracks instead of having to hike up there all the time, smart!

We thought it was funny that at the top of the trail there was this life saving device.

I mean COME ON!  Have you ever seen anything so gorgeous?!

Going down wasn't as easy as I was thinking it would be while we were going up.

Corniglia, the town we hiked to, was super cute.  

We had a great refreshment, lunch and a nice conversation with a couple we met from Seattle.

We took the train back to Manarola (10 minute ride), we weren't up for the repeat hike back!

Our hotel was so awesome, too, it had been a recommendation from a friend from work.

This room!

This terrace!

Taking the train to Vernazza (the 4th town).  The train is directly on the water .

Vernazza was so beautiful, too, especially at sunset.  

Vernazza is like a smaller version of Portofino.

This restaurant we ate at is built into a former castle, right on the edge of the water.

Look at this handsome guy I picked up.

We got the "special" which was a plate full of random, and delicious, seafood.

The trains cut right through the mountains with these tunnels.

Hit the first town, Riomaggiore, the next morning.

Back in Manarola on our way out of town.

Manarola had this awesome swimming hole, but we didn't have the time to swim.  We needed another night there, one day wasn't enough!

Manarola

Such a flattering picture had to make the documentation!

Next up, our last stop, ROMA!