When I was in Italy in May one of my favorite experiences was taking a train from La Spezia to see the villages of the Cinque Terre. The first stop was the village of Riomaggiore. It had been raining when I boarded the train in La Spezia but as the train pulled into the station at Riomaggiore the storm had ended and the clouds were transitioning to blue sky. It was late morning and an ideal time for a walk, although it was challenging because the sidewalks were so steep.
While walking I couldn’t decide whether to look at the buildings, some with laundry hanging from terraces, or do a little souvenir shopping. Another thought was to look for a gelato shop and keep walking. Since they were such interesting possibilities I decided to do all of them!
Although this chair looked inviting for a little rest, I had a train schedule to follow to get to the other villages so eventually I had to walk back to the station to catch a train to Manarola, another village in the Cinque Terre. I’ll tell you about that soon.
Meg Travels 
A very colourful post, Meg.I like how you show us the passing scenes from top to bottom – all levels of the view and so many colours.
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Thank you Anneli. This was my first visit here and it was both beautiful and challenging to climb up so many stairs – but the views made the effort worthwhile!
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I always enjoy traveling along with you his your posts and photos! That place has a musical name.
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Thanks Ruth! I liked the name too – it’s very charming… :)
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Interesting – I have always wished to go there!
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I thought it was a wonderful place and I hope that you get to see it soon!
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Your post took me right back to our visit in 2011. What a great place this was, although we took the bus, not the train.
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I’m so glad that it reminded you of your trip! I think it’s a place you remember for a long, long time… :)
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The marina at Riomaggiore is so fantastic. Sit & enjoy…. Trains & boats & wee mopeds…all delightful ways to move about paradise.
Great piece. Grazi!
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Thanks Jill – I really enjoyed seeing all those boats, and I think mopeds would be a great way to get around too!
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Such a delightful tour!
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Thank you Marlene – there’s more to come from the other villages too! :)
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This looks a great idea for a tour!
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It was so beautiful and something I’ll never forget. I’d definitely like to return in the future!
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A lot of walking up and down steep paths or steps, though?
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It was very steep! I took my time, stopped for gelato and took lots of pictures. All of those things made it much easier!
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Probably not for me then, Meg….but I have long thought I would like to see this area!
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It is also fun to take the boat between the gorgeous villages.
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That sounds like a fantastic way to see the villages – I’ll have to try that next time!
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I enjoyed the walk right along with you! :)
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I’m so happy that you came along and there are several more villages to visit!
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I, too, have always wanted to visit the Cinque Terre. Your photos are so lovely – I thoroughly enjoyed the tour! Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you! The villages are so beautiful and interesting to visit – I just wanted to see everything while I was there… :)
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Love the Cinque Terre – we spent a few days there last year, so lovely to go back with you in this post Meg.
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It was a wonderful experience being there and it sounds like you really enjoyed it too!
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I would love to see those villages. ;)
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Each of the villages was unique and charming – I hope that you get to see them sometime soon!
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On my list too, Meg! The idea of boating between them sounds fantastic, though I’d always planned to walk. (the other half would be more than happy to ride! :) )
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I saw the paths between the villages and they looked amazing Jo! I think it would be worth it to see those views… :)
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Do I need to be a mountain goat, Meg? :(
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That would be very helpful! :)
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this is on my list, Meg! thank you for these lovely images! great pictures, as always! :)
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Thank you Lola – you made an excellent pick for your list! I really want to go back there again… :)
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Oh boy, I would LOVE to visit this area of Italy! I’m glad you had a great trip, your photographs are wonderful.
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Thanks Elisa! I think you would really enjoy seeing the Cinque Terre too. The villages are so charming!
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I’m sorry I haven’t been able to keep up. I can’t believe I missed that you went to Italy in May. I hope you found some good gelato. ;)
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It was lots of fun and the gelato was excellent!
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Awesome place and wonderful photos. Maybe someday we have to visit there. Thank you.
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Thank you – it’s a beautiful place to visit!
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CT was so crowded when we were there last time, it wasn’t so some years ago… Beautiful photos!
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There were a lot of people on the trains! Once I was in one of the villages it seemed a little less crowded… :)
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I remember the “milk train” was very crowded.
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It’s a good thing the stops were so close together!
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