Cinque Terre, Italy

Riomaggiore in Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre, the 5 lands. Normally you could walk alongside the ocean on pathways, from village to village. However in late October, Venezza had heavy rains & mudslides. The town had to be evacuated. Then in November, Monterosse, experienced heavy rains too.

Some walkways in between the villages have had to be closed due to landslides on mountain. One can see in the photo below.

Here are some photos of Riomaggiore, the town in Cinque Terre were I stayed.

View from my hotel room balcony

While I was in Cinque Terre I could only walk a little past Manarola, the next village due to closures. I  walked back and forth between the villages many times during my stay in Riomaggiore. I hit various types of weather, overcast & cloudy, sunny, even pouring rain on one day.

Some photos of walkway sections & scenery on the way to Manarola, the next town.

View of tracks & Manorola in background.

Manorola

When I arrived in Manarola, walking through the tunnel, I saw this picture.  Somethings wrong with this picture, all the men resting, watching the women work!

On the way back to Riomaggiore, taking cover from the downpour of rain that started. Didn't help that much because the thatch roof of shelter was leaking. Thank goodness I had my umbrella with me otherwise I would of been soaked!

I loved the towns in Cinque Terre that I was able to visit. I spent many hours back & forth on the walkway between them.  A lot of time the towns, where the stairways led and admiring views. There are many other paths for walking, cycling up the hills from the towns through national park. Just a beautiful area and I hope to return one day and spend more time other trails!

My next destination was Venice, Italy. With a suggestion from the receptionist I am breaking up the long train with a stopover in Parma, Italy.

Parma, Italy

I arrived to Parma in a fog, literally. The first evening it was all you could do to see four feet in front of you. Rather than go straight from Cinque Terre to Venice as it was such a long journey, the receptionist at Hotel Laconda suggested stopping here. It took me some time to find my accommodation as it was a ways from centre. Being so foggy didn't make me finding my way any easier!
I was told that the month of November had been unusual, foggy every day with the days not clearing up.  Lucky for me the fog cleared up for a good part of the next day.

Roundabout outside my hotel.

I had a map from the tourist office and made my way to town centre. This was the old part of town and where many sights & churches were located.

Main shopping street - Della Republica

Some of the side streets

I went to Piazza Duomo to see Cathedral, Bishops Residence,

Monastery of St Paul.

Small rock pathways near and through church, cathedral area. Very difficult and uncomfortable to walk on, even with flat shoes!

l

Designs on door and front of this pink building

Closeups on exterior of above building

A few of the different squares

Christmas market, decorating squares & stores getting ready for the holiday season.  Take a look at the large tree! I checked it is secured very well to the roofs of 2 buildings. Wonder where they cut and brought this tree from?

Parma was a nice break from a long train ride to Venice from Cinque Terre. The town was decorating for the holiday season, the lights along the streets so pretty. I spent my time strolling the streets and window shopping.  During the day I sat at the sidewalk cafes, people watching.

cathedral