This map shows our boat trip from Lerici to Portovenere and from there the stops at four of the five cities of the Cinque Terre (not Corniglia because it has no harbor) and ending at Levanto.

Our first stop at the Ligurian Sea was at the town of Lerici. It had a small harbor and the typical castle which would have helped protect the citizens from the pirates in its early days.

Lerici was a delightful town with excellent small restaurants. Most of us took advantage of the opportunity to have seafood for lunch.

We had to wait a short time for the trip to Portovenere. This was the ship that would take us there.

This was the town of Portovenere.

Portovenere tourist attractions include the striped church overlooking the waves, the Chiesa di S. Pietro. Built in 1277, the building sits on the remains of a sixth-century chapel, traces of which can still be seen.

Below this church we had a view of the Grotta Byron. When Byron was at Portovenere one of his achievements was to swim across the gulf to visit his friends the Shelleys in Lerici. (Is this another legend of our tour guide, Nina?)

This is a view of the coastline from the church.

On our way to the Cinque Terra, we had one last look at Portovenere.

From there we boarded another ship for a ride along the Cinque Terre on our way to Levanto. The first town at the south end of the Cinque Terre is Riomaggiore.

Another view of Riomaggiore.

Manarola.

Manarola.

Looking back at Manarola.

Corniglia

The castle at Vernazza.

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Vernazza

Vernazza

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Monterosso.

Monterosso.

Our final destination for the day was Levanto, but we must get ready for the hiking the trails betweeen the cities of the Cinque Terre tomorrow..