Duration: 15 Days 15 Nights (Sep 02~Sep 17, 2014)
Day 4: Milan & onwards to Vernazza - the Gem of Cinque Terre
We woke up by the conductor’s knocking to return
our passport signaling the train was nearing Milan Centrale. I was suffering
from motion sickness after a trip to the bathroom on the rocky train thus I got
off the train quickly once it stopped at Milan Centrale to get some fresh air.
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| Still Half Sleep in Milan Centrale |
After settling down at the station, we left our luggage
at the “Left Luggage” center which was located on the ground level in the internal
walking path to Piazza Luigi di Savoia. Once our luggage was stored, we
continued our journey to Milan Centrale Metro station to buy train ticket for
Duomo near the entrance of the metro.
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| Even the Train Station looks Classy huh? |
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| This is where you buy metro ticket! |
From the Central Station, we took the Yellow Underground
(M3) line and got off at Duomo where the Duomo appearing right in front of us
once we exit from the metro. It was really early (around 7am) thus there was
hardly anyone there. The Duomo was definitely the grandest looking and majestic
church we’d seen in our trip.
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| Here it is - the Majestic Duomo di Milano |
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| At the Piazza |
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| A Close Up! |
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| Even the door looks impressing! |
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| Inside the Duomo |
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| Stained Glasses |
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| There was hardly anyone... |
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| Another View from outside - look at the left! There is a Restoration going on! |
We wanted to go up to the Duomo terrace but it was only
opened at 9am. Thus we walked walk pass Galleria V. Emanuele II (the oldest
shopping mall) to Teatro alla Scala to take picture of the beautiful theater
before stopping at McCafe for some breakfast.
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| Gelleria V. Emanuele - Still too Early for shopping |
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| Can you believe this is a shopping center? |
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| Another Piazza around the Area |
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| A Paranomic View of Duomo Square |
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| Inside Galeria V. Emanuele |
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| They have a dome too! |
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| High-end Boutiques!!! |
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| A Statue at the Park |
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| Teatro Alla Scala |
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| At McCafe |
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| Breakfast! |
There were no other people at 9am at the ticket counter
for Terrace – I guess it was too early for other day trippers… thus we bought
the ticket (by Lift) since we weren’t really too fond of stairs after so many
stairs in last 3 days. LOL.. The terrace was spectacular beyond words! It was a
must see if you visit the Duomo. Unfortunately part of the peak was in
restoration (again!!!) which killed the view.
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| Entrance to the Lift - Restoration Alert! |
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| Finally at the Top! |
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| Oops!!! Apparently we still need to walk along the area before reaching the top - Restoration anyone? |
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| Amazing Structure huh? |
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| Terrace is a must-visit!!! |
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| You can't find anything like this anywhere else - minus the restoration at the top.. *facepalm* |
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| A picture is much obliged |
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| Still On the Way! |
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| Are we there yet? |
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| Can't get enough of the Duomo! |
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| More Stairs! |
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| Here we are at the Top! |
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| This should be the main event! But hindered by RESTORATION!!!! WTF!!! |
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| At the side of the Duomo |
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| At another Side! |
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| Speechless!!! Can i sue Italian Government? |
After the terrace, we walk to Luini Panzerotti by walking
through Galleria V. Emanuele II for the famous Panzerotti. We bought the salami
& mozzarella Panzerotti and a Fig, Walnut & Chocolate Panzerotti. After
that we took the M3 line from Duomo Station to Milano Centrale Station to take
Luggage and eat our lunch whilst waiting for our train to Sestri Levante.
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| The Famous Luini Panzerotti |
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| Lot of Panzerotti inside |
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| Salami & Mozarella Panzerotti & Fig, Walnut & Chocolate Panzerotti - look at the mozarella!!! |
We boarded our Train (Intercity 665) to Sestri Levante which
departed at 12.10pm without incident and the reached Sestri Lavante at 2.42pm. Our
tickets were bought from Trenitalia (link)
about 2 months ago.
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| Waiting for the Train |
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| Inside Intercity 665 |
Once we reached Sestri Levante, we quickly ran to the
ticket counter to get a regional train ticket to Vernazza. We knew that the
next train available was at 2.50pm (8 minutes after we arrived from Milan) thus
we did not pre-buy the ticket for fear of missing the train (Regionale 24495).
In case we missed out this train, the next train would be at 3.54pm (more than
1 hour later). Thanks to lady luck, we actually managed to buy the train ticket
and boarded the train just in time. We must also thank the conductor as well
since we were supposed to validate our ticket before getting on the train but
we just couldn’t find the machine in our haste! The train conductor was right
in front of us when we jumped on the platform with luggage and all and he took
mercy on us and punched our ticket with his puncher and allowed us to get in
the train. =)
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| RUN RUN RUN!!! |
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| Finally we got on the train! |
We mostly passed through underground tunnel during our
ride from Sestri Levante to Vernazza but we were quite surprised at the crowd. Once
we reached Vernazza, we bought the National Park Entrance ticket at the train
station – it’s a small station so it’s easy to maneuver around it.
Vernazza is one of the 5 towns in Cinque Terre and it’s
considered as the Gem of Cinque Terre. We were immediately charmed by small
town once we stepped of the train station with colorful houses. It’s like
Santorini with multicolored houses. We quickly found Hotel Gianni Franzi at the
main street and that was when the fun began! First of all, we had to climb like
100 steps to get to our room with our luggage! Oh dear!!! When we thought we’d
reached the apartment, apparently our room was on the 3rd floor!
Stairs again!!! *facepalm*
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| 1st View of Vernazza! |
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| Let's go! |
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| The 'Hotel' Reception - inside a restaurant |
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| OMG!!! Stairs!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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| More STAIRS!!!!!!!! |
Our ‘neighbor’ totally laughed at us when we were
half-dead when reaching our room. Well, she had been through it as well but she
said this was totally worth it. Our room was facing Piazza Marconi where we
could see the Santa Margherita d'Antiochia Church.
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| Common Area |
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| Our Room |
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| Bathroom |
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| View from our Room |
There was a common area at the house and I guess our ‘neighbor’
was right – the view was simply stunning!!!!!!!!! My vocabulary was simply too
limited to describe this ambience and the view. *amazed*
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| Part of Common Area - Looking out at the sea! |
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| Serenity |
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| Stunning view |
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| If there were more time, we should buy a bottle of wine and sit here for the evening |
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| Zoom at the nearby beach |
After admiring the beautiful sea view, we continued on
our journey to Doria Castle but got hopelessly lost at all the small narrow alley and
stairs in Vernazza. We finally found the Castle after going up & down like 1000
wrong steps. DARN! If I live here, I would be slim due to all the stairs!
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| At the Piazza Marconi trying to look for path to Doria Castle |
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| Is this the Right path? |
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| At least the View is Nice |
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| It seems like we were in the opposite direction! *gasp* |
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| More Stairs???!!! Seriously?! |
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| Found a Secret Entrance instead |
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| Oh! It's the Beach Entrance! |
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| But How do we Get to Doria Castle?! |
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| This looks like the right way but it leads to a restaurant! UGH!!! |
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| People waiting for Ferry at Vernazza Harbor |
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| Oh dear!!! STAIRsssss again?! |
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| Finally found the sign! |
The castle offered a high vantage point of Vernazza as
well as Corniglia (another village of Cinque Terre) as well as terraced hills.
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| Finally at Doria Castle |
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| Lookout to the Mediterranean Sea |
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| Corniglia at the left |
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| Getting Up to the Tower - more STAIRssss!!! |
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| A View of Vernazza from the Tower |
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| Sammy was at the Top |
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| Sammy striking an angsting pose! |
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| A View inside the Tower |
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| It's getting late |
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| There would be no Sunset due to the cloud |
We then went to Piazza Marconi – the main square of
Vernazza & Santa Margherita d'Antiochia Church before stopping at the
harbor to take some amazing picture of Vernazza from there.
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| Piazza Marconi - Nice Floor! |
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| A view of Vernazza at the Harbor with Doria Castle at the top right - Imaging we were there a while ago! |
We decided that 1000 steps of stairs were simply not
challenging enough for us today and continued on the Vernazza to Monterosso
trail which of course involved more stairs to take some panoramic picture of
Vernazza. Of course we did not hike all the way to Monterosso as it takes 2
hours (3.3km) but we did stopped at some best stop for pictures. Even a
pregnant bride hiked all the way for nice wedding picture!!!
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| Let's conquer more stairs!!! Hmm... *hesitating* |
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| Is this the postcard spot? Not yet? |
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| Apparently more stairs are needed to reach there! |
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| Greenery |
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| Here it is! The Postcard Spot! Stunning!!!!!!!!! |
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| Admiring the view |
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| Couple taking wedding picture!!! |
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| Twilight? |
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| Sammy wanna take a picture too! |
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| Goodbye! |
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| This is where they check your national park ticket - but there was no one that time |
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| Every Random Places looks Great! |
After the ‘hike’, we explored the town for souvenirs and
water before having our first proper meal of the trip at Gianni Franzi. We ordered
the Trofie al pesto (fresh local pasta in a pesto sauce) and cheese filled ravioli
along with a bottle of white wine. Both were yummy – the Trofie was quite chewy
and the pesto sauce actually changed my view on pesto forever after my horrific
experience on pesto pizza from Dominos.
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| Let's explore the town! |
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| Selling cat as Souvenir? |
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| Porcelean painting! |
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| Convenient Store |
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| Magheritta Pizza! 50% Discount since it's closing time! |
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| Dinner at Gianni Franzi with bottle of wine |
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| Trofie al Pesto |
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| Cheese Filled Ravioli with Fish Sauce |
It was quite difficult to take night picture though as
Vernazza was quite dark and our camera was ancient. Thus we ended our night
early to get more rest for another long day tomorrow where we explored all 5
villages in Cinque Terre! Stay tuned!
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| Lots of Restaurants at the Piazza overlooking the sea |
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| Piazza Marconi at Night |
Next Day ("Village Hopping" in Cinque Terre)
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