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Oh the difference that good night sleep can do! Up at 6:30 AM to take the first train of what will become a very long day. This ninth train of the trip from Genova (Genoa), took an hour and half. Which went in a flash, as I got to sat with Abby, the (very) talkative Kiwi. It was super interesting to hear her story, I’m such a begginer in comparison!

And soon I reached my destination. Cinque Terre NP… That is something to see. To explore, to experience. If you’re into hiking in the mountains but the valleys happen to be replaced by the sea, then jump on a train to Riomaggiore al Mare. This National Park encompasses a small stretch of the coast south of Genova. It is dotted with five small, stunning villages, standing on the edge of massive mountains throwing themselves into the water, like some kind of gigantic inverted tsunami. I cannot recommend this place enough. Although it was overly overcrowded at times.

Leaving the train at the north-most village, I leave my backpack, an start the hike to the third village. It costs 5 € btw. It’s a bit rough for my unfit self, but so worth it! At some point, there is a great view on the second village, Vernazza, and its red, yellow, ocre houses. But there is just way too many people, so I just quickly went on my way to the third village, Corniglia. This one is a bit more built-up, and jas a plethora of restaurants. Now Italy is the one country in the whole world where I could go just for the food. Pasta, pizza, tiramisu… hm, yes, that’s how I ride. So I naturally took some delicious lasagna.

I didn’t continue by foot. You might think it was laziness, but the hike path is actually close after Corniglia. But guess what makes Cinque Terre even more amazing than it is? It has a railway along the coast. And I mean ALONG the coast. Like on the edge of a 10 m cliff and then it’s the sea. It is EPIC. Just the stairs leading to the Corniglia train station offers breathtaking views.

It’s one of my favourite train ride, for real. What a better place for the tenth train of the trip! However, it is very short, maybe 5 or 10 min. Actually the last two are so close to each other, that I didn’t realized we were already at the four village, so I stayed in the train, and ended up at the next big town of La Spezzia, where I had to wait a train back to Cinque Terre NP. Bah… Only lost like half an hour there, that’s ok.

When I successully reached Riomaggiore, I went to a rock beach, and got into the water a bit. As the afternoon was beginning to end, I took the train back the other way, back to Monterosso al Mare, grabbed my backpack, and started a long night of travel.

The first one was a regional train, that took me through the whole park again, and on towards Pisa! It was already pitch black when I arrived. however, I only had less than two hours to rush to the leaned tower and grab some food. So that’s what I did. I did a mad dash to the tower, which is about 20 min walk from the train station. It was really cool to have this World landmark with so few people around! It’s unfortunate that I could only spend a few minutes here, but I had to rush back. I grabbed a pizza (of course), and hopped on the next train to Firenze (Florence).

By now it’s already near midnight, but I’m far from done for today. I need to change train in Firenze, and the next one leaves at 2:30 AM. I really wanted to see the Cathedral, but was a bit scared of going through the streets of a city I don’t know in the middle of the night. However, it turned out I had no choice. The next train leaves froma nother stations, and guess what? The Firenze Cathedral is bang on the way! Let’s go!