Today, May 30th  turned out to be a hiking day.  We left the hotel around ten and hiked over to the next town of Vernazza where we had been the previous evening for some night shots.  The footpath leaves from the eastern part of the town of Monterosso.  The path is about 3.5 kilometres and is considered to be of medium difficulty.  There were lots of steep  narrow sections and stairs crossing vineyards and citrus orchards but the views were magnificent.  It would take an average hiker about 1 1/2 to 2 hours but it took me 2 1/2   hours.  Not only did I stop for photographing and admiring the views,  I also stopped to talk to a lot of the other hikers.  

20130530_2013_may_italy_0001 This was pretty much the start of the footpath.  You can see that it had been raining earlier but by ten it was getting to be a very nice day.

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You can see the footpath  that we started on which overlooks the town of Monterosso al Mare.

20130530_2013_may_italy_0002 A view overlooking the  Mediterranean in the other direction. 

20130530_2013_may_italy_0005 A view from the hike.

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A hiker starting the climb up.

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20130530_2013_may_italy_0008 One last view overlooking Monterosso.  

20130530_2013_may_italy_0009 Now I was getting fairly high up with a view looking towards Vernazza.

20130530_2013_may_italy_0010  You can see why I had to keep stopping to take photos and just absorb the scenery.  

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A view of the trail.  

20130530_2013_may_italy_0012 The area reminded me a bit  of the Amalfi Coast but the towns in this area were smaller and less populated.  Both areas are terrific.

20130530_2013_may_italy_0013 Some people hiking on the trail.  I started out hiking with Megan, Jed,  Chris and Brenda but before too long I was on my own.  Brenda and Chris waited for me from time to time to make sure I was ok.  There were enough people on the trail though so it really wasn't a problem.

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Beautiful flowers and trees lined the trail.  

20130530_2013_may_italy_0015 I loved the shape of the trees and how they bent over the trail.

20130530_2013_may_italy_0016 I was constantly coming to more beautiful views which just kept slowing me down.

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Although the trail wasn' t super busy there were enough people that you felt secure enough to hike on  your own.  A few people stopped me and asked me to take pictures of themselves and also see what I was taking pictures of.  Everyone was friendly and most people spoke English.  I met some people from the US but mostly Europeans.

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20130530_2013_may_italy_0019 The town of Vernazza in the distance was getting closer.

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Finally getting to Vernazza.  

20130530_2013_may_italy_0023 The first records recognizing Vernazza as a fortified town date back to 1080.  Referred to as an active maritime base of the Overtenghi, an Italian noble family, it was likely a point of departure for naval forces defending against pirates.

20130530_2013_may_italy_0024 Vernazza was vital in Genova's conquest of Liguria providing port, fleet and soldiers.  In 1209 approximately 90 of the most powerful families of Vernazza pledged their allegiance to the republic of Genova.  In the 1800's after a long period of stagnation, Vernazza returned to wine production enlarging and creating new terraced hillsides. 

20130530_2013_may_italy_0025 In 1997, the Cinque Terre was recognized as a World Heritage Site by Unesco and in 1999 the National Park of the Cinque Terre was born.  Today the main source of revenue for Vernazza is tourism, although fishing, wine and olive oil production still continue to help the economy.  This shot was taken just before descending into town.