We left La Spezia and started out journey passing a huge mussel farm way out int he bay, but still within the harbour walls. Quite interesting to watch the 'farmers' at work but I don't think that I would like to be involved in that.
The first town that you pass is Porto Venere - stunning place that has its own whole posting, but I can just add that this is the home of Basil Pesto and the smell in the town is just too wonderful!!
To the left is CORNIGLIA and the only village that is not accessible from the sea when you do the boat tour. The little village has a small boat harbour so that the fishermen can go out and get a days catch, but you can't tie your ferry up there. You can walk in easily from the hiking trail though.
Below are 2 pictures of the 4th village VERNAZZA. Very nice place but you get the idea that these people live in a stairwell. Everything is up or down. No wonder they lived to a ripe old age, they were truly fit!! This village also suffered an almost catastrophic flood in 2011 when the river flooded higher up the mountain and send tons of water gushing through the narrow streets washing just about everything away.
The last of the 5 villages is Monterroso and it is definitely the largest of the villages. You can end your ferry tour here if you like and take a train back to La Spezia or like me, you can just take the boat back to the beginning and enjoy the view and the lone fisherman that you pass along the way.