Our 6 day Walk from Levanto to PortoVenere - The Cinque Terra

Somehow these photos have got out of order..slightly.. This is on the first day our walk from Levanto (which is outside the offical Cinque Terra National Park) to Monterosso, and incidentally the second hardest of the 4 main walks we did. We left Levanto full of zest and vigour to walk steadily uphill. This lookout tower was on the way
And at the top of the hill was this gorgeous view looking back to Levanto.
At 10.30 we stopped for a wine or two.. no only one!! Knowing what was ahead of us! Some Americans who had also stopped were very impressed at our early time for wine tasting but on explaining to them it was 8.30pm in NZ they forgave us our indiscretion.
6 of us in Levanto at the beginning of the trail.. Barry being the one taking the photo.

Levanto itself, or the name Levanto most likely goes back to the period before the romantic Era; it’s ancient name was Ceula, which appears on a document from the 11th century. It's present name means this town is at "levanter" to Genova. Until 1140 it was Malaspina's Feud, and then Da Passano's. In 1211 it spontanously joined the Republic of Genova, and remained an independant town from 1247 to 1797 living of maritime trade. Thanks to its geographical position, Levanto, was able to develop quite easily and move on especially after the 2nd W.W.

Along the way at one of the viewing points...

and further along the trail almost into Monterosso .. Coraleen and Barry

Barry and I on the second day of the walk from Monterosso to Vernazza looking down on Vernazza
Wendy and Bruce taking advantage of the gorgeous views over Vernazza..almost there
Krisitne and Rauly doing the same

and this was the terrain. They are actually vineyards. As you can see land is of an essence and by retaining the hilly slopes they make the most of the available space

Me at night admiring the sunset in Vernazza. Vernazza itself is set into the side of a hill and is one of the most beautiful sights within the Cinque Terra although the town itself has few hotels or restaurants.

Vernazza has a natural pier with a amphitheatre shape making it perhaps the most picturesque village of the Cinque Terre. Vernazza was a Roman installation and had a big strategical importance during the age of the Maritime Republics in Genoa. It was also famous for its carpenters.
Another one from Monterosso to Vernazza
All glammed up for dinner at Monterosso.. well sort off.. I guess the Crocs take away the glam factor!!

And I bunked off the next day so no pics from Vernazza to Riomaggiore which was according to the others the easiest walking day and one of the most picturesqe taking in the small villages of both Corniglia and Manarola.

Dinner on the last day of the walk at PortoVenere which is also outside the Cinque Terra National Park but nevertheless was one of the most beautiful towns of all.

One of those silly things you just have to get on camera. At one of the cafes along the way they had these apologies for goats!!
This is one of the little trains they use to transport both people and grapes up and down the hilly terrain. We just couldnt resist having a wee play.
The jungle gym in the forest... along the way there were some additional challenges..as if the 5 hours wasn't enough.. well for some of us it obviously wasn't!! Barry tried the balancing irons .. see no hands!!
Coraleen giving the chain ladder a thrashing

Taking a breather at the top of yet another incline... just to admire the view of course
It's all downhill from here folks... Yeehaa
And thats what we are heading for... The village site used to be a temple to Venus Erycina, from which the name Portovenere is derived. It was a maritime centre even then, and has been involved in many conflicts through the ages. The longest was the war between Genoa and Pisa (1119-1290). The castle that overlooks Portovenere from a rocky elevation above the village was an important defense tool during that war.

Portovenere is a beautiful village on the Gulf of Poets. Portovenere's harbour is lined with brightly coloured houses, narrow medieval streets lead up the hill to a castle, and the tip of the promontory holds a picturesque church.

Looking over to La Spezia from one of the high points... still 2.5 hour to go to PortoVenere.
Fish for dinner anyone??? Someone staying in the Hotel had caught this and the hotel Chef was about to make it even better.

The photos say most of it really. Starting in Levanto and walking through to PortoVenere is only 26km but rising to altitudes of ?? not sure but bloody high when you are walking up there I can tell you!!

All the towns were beautiful. Some had more to offer than others in sightseeing and tourism.

One of the nicest Restaurants we went to was in Monterosso which was set inside the rock face on the side of the cliff.

The night we stayed in Levanto we opted for antipasta to start.. start I ask you? After 20 courses of THE most amazing antipasta dishes you could imagine only a few of us could even consider desert. This meal would have to be one of the best meals of the whole trip!!

Sadly the day of walking I missed was apparently one of the most pictuesque.. hard to imagine after some of these pictures but I had to go into La Spezia and sort out my phone (still no money on my Italian sim after loosing my other one) and also organise to transmit the money to the School in Rome. Unfortunately paying money (CASH if you please) into accounts in Italy is not easy and I didnt end up doing it.. another long story I won't bore you with although I did finally manage it in Lucca after two hour long trips to the bank!!

Saturday afternoon was spent enjoying a few g & t's in front of the Television in the hotel watching the All Blacks. Another difficult task getting the TV onto the Rugby. The Italians couldn't understand why on earth we would want to watch Rugby when there was European soccer on!! Some people's mentality I ask you:-)