Today’s main activity was the fourth and final hike of the trip – a circumnavigation of Palmaria Island.    Turns out, it takes (us) three tries to get on the ferry that crosses the narrow strait to the island (first was too full, second left too early) but we did finally make it and embarked on our hike. This island is apparently very popular with the (largely) Italian tourists here, but they use it for beach activities so we had the hiking trails nearly all to ourselves.

   
 
From various points on the island, we had views across the Gulf of La Spezia, over to the island of Tino, and – most strikingly – back along the Cinque Terre coastline reminding us where we had previously hiked.  The island hiking itself was much less strenuous than on the mainland because the highest elevation was only 186 meters, but there was still a rocky descent to keep us on our toes.

   
   
Hot and sweaty from the hike, the natural course of action was to swim. Fortunately, there is a local swimming area by the stone breakwater across the street from our hotel, so after taking the return ferry (first try!) we had a dip in the gulf.

  
Before dinner we visited the San Pietro church situated on the rocky promontory at the tip of Porto Venere.  It, too, afforded fantastic views of the city, the gulf, and the Cinque Terre cliffs.  At dinner, we sampled local seafood – see the grilled fish that is truly just out of the ocean – then wandered around the harbor of Porto Venere, checking out the numerous yachts and vibrant nightlife.