The afternoon of May 29th was spent in Riomaggiore.  We all met to take the train to this village dating back to the early thirteenth century.  The town is known for its wine produced by the town's vienyards.  Riomaggiore is the most southern village of the five Cinque Terre, all connected by train or hiking trails.   The town is caught between two steep terraced hills descending in steep cliffs to the sea.  

20130529_2013_may_italy_0001 Heading to Riomaggiore by train.   I included this shot just to show what the inside of the Cinque Terre trains looked like.  The trains were sometimes quite crowded during the afternoons .  I think this train ride lasted about twenty minutes since we started in Monterosso and travelled to the southern most village of Riomaggiore .  

20130529_2013_may_italy_0002

Arriving at the train station in Riomaggiore.  We had to walk through a tunnel to get to the main section of town.

20130529_2013_may_italy_0003

A close up of the artwork on the wall on the way to the tunnel.

20130529_2013_may_italy_0005

Just outside the tunnel.

20130529_2013_may_italy_0001

The cat picture of the day.

20130529_2013_may_italy_0010 I loved the pastel colours of the houses in the villages of Cinque Terre.  I read that the colours are regulated by the community government.  I also read that all houses have two entrances: one on the facade at the lane side and the other at the back of the upper road.  In 1500 it was an escape route in case of a possible enemy attack.

20130529_2013_may_italy_0008 The main street of Riomaggiore is called Via Colombo which was full of shops and cafes.  By now we were all getting hungry and the food was all looking pretty good. However, not being a seafood person, I opted for a fabulous cheese and tomato panini on Focaccia.  

20130529_2013_may_italy_0009

20130529_2013_may_italy_0012 Walking along the main street.  

20130529_2013_may_italy_0001

20130529_2013_may_italy_0014 We started hiking up the steep hills to get some views of the town and water.

20130529_2013_may_italy_0015

20130529_2013_may_italy_0016

20130529_2013_may_italy_0017 The first mention of the territory of Riomaggiore dates back to 1239 when the people of the District of Capena swore loyalty to the "Compagnia" from Genoa and when in 1251, the residents  of small villages halfway to Casen, Cacinagora, Sarico and Lemen decided to join together at the mouth of the river and founded Riomaggiore.  

20130529_2013_may_italy_0018 Different views of the Mediterranean's Gulf of Genoa.

20130529_2013_may_italy_0019

20130529_2013_may_italy_0020 By this time we were very high up and had great views of the water.

20130529_2013_may_italy_0021 The sea was very rough during the most if not all of our stay in Cinque Terre.  I believe this was due to the way the winds were coming in.   

20130529_2013_may_italy_0022

20130529_2013_may_italy_0001

20130529_2013_may_italy_0024

20130529_2013_may_italy_0026

20130529_2013_may_italy_0027

The waves were fabulous.

20130529_2013_may_italy_0029

20130529_2013_may_italy_0031

We now hiked back down towards the town's wharf area.

20130529_2013_may_italy_0032

20130529_2013_may_italy_0033 Riomaggiore had a very rugged coastline with not much of a beach area at all.

20130529_2013_may_italy_0035 Sam enjoying a rest from all of the hiking.

20130529_2013_may_italy_0034

20130529_2013_may_italy_0037 The wharf area of town.

20130529_2013_may_italy_0038

20130529_2013_may_italy_0039

20130529_2013_may_italy_0042 Looking up at the houses built vertically up the cliffs.

20130529_2013_may_italy_0040

20130529_2013_may_italy_0043 It would have been great to have taken a boat trip and seen all of the towns from the water.  However, for the few days we were in the area, the seas were really rough.  Oh well- I need an excuse to go back.

20130529_2013_may_italy_0044 Gretchen and Chris make such a great couple.  

20130529_2013_may_italy_0001

20130529_2013_may_italy_0046

20130529_2013_may_italy_0048

20130529_2013_may_italy_0050

20130529_2013_may_italy_0047

20130529_2013_may_italy_0001 The daily door picture.

20130529_2013_may_italy_0051

No boat rentals today.

20130529_2013_may_italy_0052

20130529_2013_may_italy_0053 We left the wharf area and headed back to the main street to check out the shops and Gelato.

20130529_2013_may_italy_0054

​

20130529_2013_may_italy_0055

20130529_2013_may_italy_0057 These guys were waiting for their daily treat.

20130529_2013_may_italy_0058

20130529_2013_may_italy_0059

20130529_2013_may_italy_0056

20130529_2013_may_italy_0060 The last picture taken in Riomaggiore before heading back to Monterosso.