TUESDAY, 28 MAY 2013

BE STILL MY HEART, FAREWELL FLORENCE, ONTO FIVE VILLAGES

Jim has always wanted to climb to the top of the Duomo, so this morning, despite a dreary sky, we headed out to climb—and climb we did. Four hundred sixty three steps to the top. Just when I thought my heart was doing better going up, I had to rethink that, because I found myself getting winded. Thanks Jim for your patience. The views were spectacular! 

You can also climb to the top of the tower (a mere 414 steps), so we did. 

baptistry

Before checking out we stopped at the big Mercato to have one of our favorite sandwiches.

Next stop-Cinque Terre on the Ligurian Sea. The Cinque Terre is five villages built into the cliffside. We are staying in Manarola.The five towns of the Cinque Terra are connected by various trails. The most popular one is the coastal trail, but it is closed on both sides in Manarola due to landslides. There are vineyards above Manarola. A local trail that goes through them also hooks into the mountain trail to Corniglia. We hiked up for awhile on the Corniglia trail which provided some terrific views of Manarola. The evening sun was spectacular.