Carnival Pride 10-day cruise to (Pompeii), (Mt. Etna), Mykonos, Santorini, Athens, Olympia, Turkey, plus train around Italy

[IntrepidFromDC]

Natural landscape approaching Cinque Terre,  plus Lord Byron's Cave.

[IntrepidFromDC]

I booked the ferry one way but will take the faster train when I leave.  Some of the villages are more spectacular to view from the sea than from land. Riomaggiore and Riomaggiore Beach in these pics are good examples.  This is the village I'm staying at for 2 nights. 

Edited September 22, 2022 by IntrepidFromDC

[IntrepidFromDC]

Manarola.

[IntrepidFromDC]

Corniglia, I think. 

[IntrepidFromDC]

Vernazza is more beautiful viewed from land.

[IntrepidFromDC]

Monterosso, where I had lunch. 

[jimbo5544]

25 minutes ago, IntrepidFromDC said:

I didn't bring any liquor onto the ship, I have one of those free drink offers. I'm sorry to say I didn't notice anyone carrying liquor on. But I have read multiple people saying they did.

Thanks

[ninjacat123]

10 minutes ago, IntrepidFromDC said:

Monterosso, where I had lunch. 

I see people in the water so I'm assuming it's warm in the sun.  Are menus available in English?  TIA!

[IntrepidFromDC]

31 minutes ago, ninjacat123 said:

I see people in the water so I'm assuming it's warm in the sun.  Are menus available in English?  TIA!

Most ristorantes that want to draw tourists have menus in several languages.  Two of the places I ate at did not and a sandwich shop had nobody to even SPEAK English.  The NERVE!  😉 🏴‍☠️

[IntrepidFromDC]

Today I walked the whole town of Riomaggiore, including side streets which are medieval narrow. Riomaggiore is steeper than Positano. My thighs feel the burn but it feels good cuz I stayed hydrated.  No cars anywhere which I love.

[IntrepidFromDC]

[IntrepidFromDC]

[IntrepidFromDC]

[IntrepidFromDC]

I had dinner at Trattoria La Grotta, recommended by my airbnb host who has been great,  making restaurant reservations for me,  etc. It was very good especially the fresh mullet.

[IntrepidFromDC]

The fresh mullet grilled over olive tree plank soaked in Italian bbq herbs and olive oil. Excellent.  Before pic:

[IntrepidFromDC]

 

 

 

 

After pic:

 

 

[maluhia87]

18 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

Someone else asked and I did not see your reply.  Did you have any issues bringing liquor back on the ship, either in Rome or ports?

We brought a bottle of Amaretto and wines in Civitavecchia without any issues. I'll let you know after we get more at the stops if there are problems. 

[jimbo5544]

2 hours ago, maluhia87 said:

We brought a bottle of Amaretto and wines in Civitavecchia without any issues. I'll let you know after we get more at the stops if there are problems. 

Thanks, appreciate it

[IntrepidFromDC]

Cinque Terre: today I am going all in on Manarola and Vernazza. I start with a 2hr hike including a 900-ft climb over a mountain between Riomaggiore and Manarola. Explore Manarola in depth then take the train to Vernazza for lunch. Explore Vernazza in depth then catch a train back to Riomaggiore for dinner at the #1 rated ristorante in Cinque Terre.  I have already decided to return to Cinque Terre,  today is a chance to visit excursion kiosks to help start planning my next visit. Like Venice,  Cinque Terre is stealing my heart. 

[IntrepidFromDC]

I don't think I mentioned this before but Riomaggiore is separated by a small but impassable mountain. To get from one side to the other,  the only way is the pedestrian tunnel under the mountain, whichtakes about 5 minutes to walk. most of the good stuff is on the south of the tunnel but the train station is on the north side. Photos show the tunnel,  and looking back at the train station after beginning the 900ft ascent.  Since Riomaggiore and Manarola are both sea level,  I have another 90pft climb down the other side.

[IntrepidFromDC]

Approaching the trailhead. There is an easier trail between the villages that locals used as the only way besides boat to get from one village to the other for hundreds of years. But it remains closed until 2024 due to fires/landslides I think.

[IntrepidFromDC]

And so it begins.

[IntrepidFromDC]

If it doesn't look tough,  trust me it is. Its called the Becca Trail if you want to consider it. Bring water,  you will need it.

[IntrepidFromDC]

From the peak,  these are photos looking back at Riomaggiore and forward to Corniglia. We can't see Manarola because the mountain is so steep it is vertically below me.

[IntrepidFromDC]

Finally,  a view of Manarola and nearing the end of the trail!