Today we write this post from a park bench facing the ocean at a train station in Cornglia, one of the 5 lands. It’s very peaceful and although chilly, the sun is shining on us.
Last night Dave came down with a cold so we cooked in our medieval Airbnb and went to bed early. It was very peaceful and relaxing even if the hot water was a little lacking. This morning we got up and decided that because it’s cold an Dave isn’t feeling great that we’d take the train in between the Cinque Terre rather than hike. A very short drive down into La Spezia and we jumped on the regional train that stops at each of the villages. It’s quite well organized, you buy one ticket that’s good all day and you can get on and off in both directions at any of the 5 villages. We decided to take the train to Vernazza, the second to last village and then work our way back.
Leaving La Spezia, the train goes immediately into a long tunnel. Everyone on the train gasped in awe as we exited the tunnel on the Riomaggiore side with the water directly to the side of the track.
It’s a very beautiful and dramatic ride along the coastline. In Vernazza we got off the train and explored the town which is very pretty.
Most of the shops and restaurants were closed for the season, it was nice to have the place mostly to ourselves but it must be fun in the summer too.
After walking around a bit we decided to grab lunch at what looked like the only place open as it is off season called Blue Marlin Di Basso and catering mostly to the workmen doing renovations around town. If they eat there it must be good we figured. We had a seafood antipasto, pesto pasta and a local dish that is made of anchovies and potatoes layered like a lasagna.
It was all quite good and very full we jumped back on the train to Corniglia.
Corniglia sits up on the hill and from the station it’s a bit of a walk. The view is incredible with all of the jumbled wine terraces, olive groves, Cyprus and lemon trees. We ambled around the village a bit and then made our way back to the train station, luckily because there are only two trains left for the day, each an hour apart. All in all a wonderful day in a gorgeous place.
