We woke up to a beautiful, sun-shiny day - yes! We first went to the furthest south of the five towns - Riomaggiore. We grabbed some coffee and focaccia, window shopped and went out by the water. Again... Looking back to the town was picture-perfect, I felt like a professional photographer all day (don't judge based on the ones I'm posting, they're wonderful but all iPhone pics. I have way better ones on my good camera!). We kept walking along the coast and found a really cool secret beach that was tucked behind some rocks. The waves rolling in made a noise I had never heard before, when the pebbles would roll up then back out - it sounded like firecrackers, I was obsessed.

After strolling through the rest of Riomaggiore, we headed up to the next town, our most favorite of them all, Manarola. We stopped an had a delicious prosciutto/cheese/artichoke salad, then walked through the whole town. Up to the town hall with gorgeous views of the city and the sea. Up into the steep hillside vineyards. Over the top of the city's northernmost hill, where we could see the 3 small Cinque Terre towns to the north. Down to the town's cemetery on a point that just out into the water, offering beautiful views looking back onto the houses and vineyards. This place is incredible. Even the tourists talk more quietly in Cinque Terre, not wanting to disturb the peace and perfection that is preserved here.

We head back up to the first town we went to, farthest north - Monterosso. It's still warm and gorgeous so we hang out on the beach for a while. We then find a perfect place for dinner, fill up on pasta and seafood, and make plans for our next big adventure - Roma!!!