Page 32 - Explore Magazine Spring 2016

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48 HOURS

IN CINQUE TERRE

Joanne Mann of helloworld Petone has her breath taken away on
a walking tour of Italy’s beautiful Cinque Terre.

DAY ONE
AM: From Genoa, where we arrived last night after a 24- local farmers, and sampled organic food from pretty little
hour journey from New Zealand, we took a one-hour train cafes perched on the cliffs overlooking the coastline.
ride along the scenic coastline to Monterosso al Mare, the We arrived at the village of Vernazza after an easy two-
most northern of the five villages in the UNESCO World
Heritage Cinque Terre Park. On arrival we made our way hour walk. An authentic fishing village with a small harbor,
Vernazza is famous for its narrow lanes and maze of stairs
along the promenade and into the old part of the gorgeous
little seaside village which was picture-postcard perfect, and tiny terraces offering sea views at every turn. We spent
an idyllic half-hour wandering the cobblestoned streets
as was the small, family-run Hotel Pasquale where we
stayed. Located on the waterfront, the Hotel Pasquale and browsing through the many small owner-operated
shops selling local wares and food. Soon it was time to set
is a short walk from the main square of the town and
only a few metres from bars, restaurants and shops. Our off along the trail to the next village. This part of the trail
was easy walking and we slowly made our way up and over
morning walk uncovered the ruins of a medieval castle
and a beautiful old church and convent high on the hill the ridge line enjoying the spectacular views.
overlooking the village with magnificent views. Corniglia is the only one of the Cinque Terre villages
without direct access to the sea and it is set high on a
PM: The weather was perfect so we decided to begin steep promontory close to a hill with many vineyards.
our walk along the old mule trail to the next village.
For centuries, walking trails were the only way to travel Corniglia’s origins date back to Roman times and its name
derives from the Gens Cornelia, the Roman family to whom
between the villages and the Azure Trail we followed is one
of many. Narrow, and at times precipitous, the Azure Trail the land originally belonged. After more time wandering
the streets and sampling the local ice-cream and coffee
offers spectacular coastal scenery. Almost immediately
the path led us high into the hills and through pretty it was time to head back to Monterosso. To reach the
train station we made our way down the Lardarina, a long
farmland with olive groves and lemon trees and vineyards.
Fresh basil was growing everywhere like grass! Along the staircase formed by 382 brick steps that zigzags down the
hillside.
way we were offered freshly-squeezed orange juice from
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