So, when we lasted checked in it was Sunday, and we were leaving Milan and heading to Genoa.  Genoa was picked for two reasons, it was on the way to the Cinque Terre and it is famous for pesto.  This entire region is famous for pesto.  Genoa is a tired town that once was beautiful.  Today it is rather industrial and frequently borders on seedy.  We’ll not need to visit again.

The next day we headed for the Cinque Terre.  Our plan was to park in Levanto which isn’t a Cinque Terre village but it is a 4 minute train ride to Monterosso al Mare which is the first village on the northern end of the Cinque Terre.  Upon arrival we discovered the Levanto station only accepted cash in their parking machines.  Which would have been fine if we were staying for a couple of hours but we needed 2 1/2 days worth of parking - 60 Euros.  Off we went find an ATM.  This became an adventure as we drove on winding, narrow, steep and sloped roads without guardrails.  Found an ATM, obtained our cash and retuned to park and move to Monterosso al Mare and the CT.  

We arrived in Monterosso found our hotel and settled in and began exploring this scenic village.  Our plan was/is to split the remaining four villages over the next two days (Tuesday and Wednesday).   Yesterday, Tuesday, we took the CT train to Corniglia  it was beautiful.   No matter the direction everywhere we looked we saw natural or man made beauty.  At about 11 AM we decided that the correct course of action should be to walk to Vernazza.  4 miles and 36 flights of stairs later, per my phone, we arrived.  Hot, hungry, exhausted.  We found a lovely cafe on the waterfront, settled in with a liter of water each and let the breeze work its magic, ordered food and wandered yet another breathtakingly beautiful village.  But not before agreeing that we we were done walking between the towns of the CT.  So, we took the CT train to Manarola and explored for the afternoon.  Returning to Monterosso for a shower, a nap and dinner.  

Today’s (Wednesday) plan is to take the ferry to Riomaggiore, the 5th and most southern village in the CT.  Explore that village then head out of the CT and land in Parma this evening.  Last night we booked what appears to be a centrally located hotel in Parma as well as an all day food tour for Thursday. 

So, that brings us up to date.  We’ll attempt an photo or two but at this point looks like pictures with captions will need to wait for our return to the US and a laptop.