The daily diary of a wandering restaurateur
May 22 - Cinque Terre ... briefly
The town of Manarola, hanging from the cliffs of the Cinque Terre. It really makes you wonder 1) how they did it and 2) why!
The Via dell'Amore starts at the Riomaggiore train station and heads along the cliffs to the right. Graffiti is a problem all over Italy -- some of it centuries old. Along the trail we discovered that hikers had found a unique new place to make a stab at immortality.
The Via dell'Amore is an easy walk -- 15 minutes more or less from Riomaggiore to Manarol. Although not all that romantic ... at least by my standards ... it does offer some spectacular views down steep cliffs to the Mediterranean.
Returning to town, we were reminded that Deiva Marina is known for its beaches. They are rocky, but accessible. Next to the hotel is a crumbling tower from centuries ago, the decaying testament to two heirs who could not decide which one had the responsiblity for the building ... so they both abdicated.
© 2005 Restaurant Doctor
[