For our last day in Cinque Terre, we spent the day training from town to town along the coast. We trained from Vernazza to Monterossa to encounter a most heavily occupied beach with umbrellas and seats fully occupied, so no room at the inn for us. So we went to the thin strips of beach designated as free for a quick swim, and exit to the south to meet Nick and Margeaux, who embarked on another strenuous hike from Corniglia to Manarola, whose regular trail is under repair so they had to take the circuitous mountain route, very taxing but they made it and we had a nice lunch in town.

Flocks of sunbathers in Monterossa

Manarola for lunch then a brief train ride to Riomaggiore for a quick swim

 

As this is the height of tourist season, plus locals enjoying a Sunday outing, I was prompted to train back solo to Monterossa to take the hike back from there to Vernazza, just get get a little breathing space.

Heading out of Monterrossa

Up on the trail, Monterossa down below

Interesting monorail contraption that snakes down the valley through the vineyards to load the grapes from the harvest

On the road to Vernazza signpost checkpoint

Views from the trail. The white grape is famous for the locally made wine

 

Coming into Vernazza

 

 

Memorial for local villagers lost in the wars.

 

Our hosts family, long time residents of this area were directly impacted by the Nazi, Communist and Fascist parties. More on that later but for now goodnight from Vernazza Chao!