Italy part 1: Cinque Terre

I will write about our Italy trip in 3 posts because it would be too much to post in 1.

We started our trip Friday May 2 spending 3 nights in Cinque Terre which means we were there over my birthday. What a great place to ring in the last year of my 20's! I do think Cinque Terre is my favorite spot that I have visited since we have been in London. It is an absolutely beautiful area made up of 5 villages all pearched on cliffs overlooking the sea. It is a national park and typically you hike from village to village.

We arrive friday evening and checked into our little apartment in the Old Town 

Area of Monterosso. This village is where alot of tourists stay, it has 2 beaches and lots of bars and restaurants. We  explored Old Town then had some delicious pizza and wine.

Monterosso:

 Saturday on my birthday we went and got some focciaca for breakfast and started the hike between Monterosso and Vernazza. This is the longest hike (around 2 hours) but also supposedly the most beautiful. It was a little tough at times but the views made it SO worth it!

Once we got to Vernazza we rewarded ourselves with some gelato and drinks

We took the train back to Monterosso and had drinks there by the beach before dinner. We had an amazing dinner that Matt arranged at La Miky. Matt had spagetti with monkfish and they set it on fire, I had gnocchi with pesto (Cinque Terre is favorite for its pesto) with tiramisu for dessert. All I can say is YUM! It was definitely a birthday to remember and will be pretty impossible to beat! 

Sunday we went out to see the remaining 3 villages. We took a ferry from Monterosso to the furthest village, Riomaggiore so we were able to see all 5 villages from the water, here were the views...

Monterosso:

Vernazzo:

Corniglia:

Manarola:

Riomaggiore:

We had lunch in Riomaggiore explored than had drinks at a bar with the most amazing view!

What I would give to be back at this bar right now!

Our original plan was to hike to the next town, Manorala but unfortunately the trails were closed so we took the train. The scenery in Manorala was out of this world so we just hiked to different areas at the top of the town to take in the best views. 

Then we took the train to the last town we had not visited, Corniglia. The town was a long hike and 382 staircase climb from the trainstop- so it was a good thing the trail was closed otherwise I might not have made it- haha!

Steps to Corniglia:

We took the train and made it back to our village just in time for some beers on the beach.

We got to have dinner with some friends from Clemson who were in Italy at the same time for a wedding. The antipastaboard we had was amazing and I am still dreaming about it!

That night two good friends, Becca and Kyle were in Monterosso for the wedding as well so we got to have drinks and catch up with them.

The entire trip to Cinque Terre was incredible. We loved it so much this is one destination I know we will go back to during our time in Europe.

We left on Monday morning for Florence but I will save that for my next post.