Our itinerary called for no travel today, which the kids made the most of by sleeping in as late as they could.  (Suffice it to say, they missed the hotel breakfast service by over an hour – good thing parents were willing to bring up a tray!). Meanwhile, N+S explored the pathways around town, visited the train station (accessible only by a tunnel), and captured some of the scenery.

   
 
Because this was our day off, we were determined not to hike, so we took the local tiny bus up the hill to the hamlet of Groppo, home of the Cinque Terre Cooperative Vineyard and tasting room.  We tasted multiple wines and were treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the processing and bottling floor.  After walking through vineyards every day, it was nice to see where the products end up.

   
 
Late afternoon was classic summer – gelato and crepes plus a swim in the Mediterranean.  Although the enormous jellyfish floating nearby gave us some pause, once we got in the water none came close.  Post-swimming, we continued to soak up the views – Manarola looks like it is glowing with the sun shining on it across the water.