Vernazza, Cinque Terre
There’s a bit of vital information left out of most guidebooks which include the Cinque Terre of Italy. The “walk” between villages is not for the faint of heart. OK, one short stretch is easy. That’s the stretch from Riomaggiore to Manarola and then beyond that to Corneglia, where you have the option to walk 200 yards through a dark train tunnel to reach the village square. From Corneglia, it’s “difficult,” to put it very mildly. You need to be in excellent shape. You need to have rugged shoes. Walking sticks are a great idea. And, lots and lots of water. It’s beastly hot in the afternoon and the stretch from Corneglia to the next spot of civilization, Vernazza, is a solid two hours.
For those with the ability, the hike is a rewarding, thrilling way to see this stretch of Italian coastline.
Best time to do this hike would be from about 3 in the afternoon in the early spring or in late September. Summertime, Fahgeddaboutit! You’d have to be nuts to attempt this hike when the mercury is above 80.