Early morning roller board pull to the train station we took the first train to Pisa on our open 2nd class tickets. Quiet quick ride, we store our bags at the bag check in Pisa station. We are only here for a couple of hours and that will give us time to see the one site and a lunch. The actual name is Tower of Pisa but because of its unintended tilt we have added Leaning:) Poorly engineered in the 12th century the lean began during construction and increased even more after until being reinforced years later. We did as everyone else was doing and created a funny scene trying to push pull or in Justin’s case, ‘take a charge’.
Lunch was really a great little breakfast at this coffee shop in the University of Pisa campus. English breakfast with an English menu.
Back on the train to La Speiza, then get our two day Cinque Terra passes so we can ride the trains between towns as well as use the hiking paths. Train was packed but when it opens out of the tunnel and the beautiful Ligurian Sea is first spotted as we stop in Riomaggiori you get the immediate attitude change we were looking for, relaxing and at ease.
We trained it to Monterossa for a swim as our hotel host said our cove was a little rough and only rocks, no sand. Warm water and a nice beach gave us that refreshing dip in the sea to relax and unwind before dinner. No changing after our swim, just a simple drying out then trained to Corniglia and climbed the long staircase of thirty-three ramps and three hundred eight-two steps. What a beautiful picturesque little town on the top of a rock overlooking the sea. We strolled through the tiny streets and happened upon a nice Taverna to have a drink and some food.
Coming back to our home, Manarola, we ventured out to the point to take the obligatory photos that you see in all the postcards and advertisements for the Cinque Terra. With the shadows and sun setting this town is especially colorful. We met up with a family from Michigan and had a nice chat while watching the sun set on a magnificent day.
Day 2 Cinque Terra, Cameron, Justin and Dad choose to head up the 1000’s of stairs, 6:00AM. What a great hike to the top and the view was amazing, we will use that photo for the house collection! Up and down we arrived and departed the last four towns; Monarola-Cornigula-Vernatza-Monterossa. Meeting Jena and Kellie at the last stop, 9:00AM and time for breakfast.