Manarola

Situated on a rocky pedestal overhanging the sea, Manarola looks as a compact group of houses brightly coloured, almost all with a terrace on the top, i.e. the typical "cassola" where in September, after the grape harvest, the best grapes are lied in the sun to obtain the wine called Sciacchetrà.
Here, like in Riomaggiore, the stream that flows between the houses is almost completely covered today and forms the current main street which ends at the characteristic square cut in the rocks, where boats are hoisted with the strength of one's arms.
The chessboard square of the S. Lorenzo church, in the village upper part, often becomes - out of necessity - a playing round for kids, whose joyful voice replaces the noise of cars. Now a deviation towards Groppo and Volastra - two quiet inland hamlets - is worth the while.

Half an hour walk on a path amidst vines and century-old olive trees leads to the top of the Volastra hill where the light air and the large green opening surrounded by trees in front of the Santuario della Madonna della Salute (Health's Madonna Sanctuary) enable to enjoy a wonderful view.