After more than twenty days on the road, crossing borders, landscapes, and cultures, I found myself standing on a narrow hiking path above Vernazza, one of the jewels of Cinque Terre. My motorcycle road trip had taken me from Bulgaria through Greece and across western Italy, with Cinque Terre as my penultimate stop before returning to France. Every mile had been an adventure, an immersion into the unknown, but this moment, this view, felt like a culmination of it all.
Arriving in Vernazza
I arrived in Vernazza by foot, following the coastal trail from Monterosso al Mare. The path meandered along the cliffs, each turn revealing glimpses of the Ligurian Sea stretching infinitely before me. And then, suddenly, I saw it: Vernazza’s small harbor, its colorful houses stacked against the hills, the deep blue of the Mediterranean hugging its shores. The sight was breathtaking, made even more vivid by the effort of the climb, the scent of pine trees lingering in the warm early summer air.
I didn’t hesitate for a second. As soon as I caught sight of the village, I knew I had to capture this moment. Reaching into my pack, I set up my drone and let it rise, framing the perfect shot from above. This wasn’t just another photograph; it was a snapshot of a journey nearing its end, a frozen piece of time that encapsulated my adventure, my freedom, my passion for discovery.
Cinque Terre, usually bustling with tourists, was eerily quiet. It was the first summer post-COVID, and I felt incredibly lucky to experience these iconic places in near solitude. The stillness gave me time to reflect, to savor every step of the hike, to breathe in the salty breeze without hurry. There was no rush, only the moment, the trail, and the stories unfolding around me.
This photograph of Vernazza wasn’t just a travel memory; it symbolized the end of my journey through the unknown. For over twenty days, I had ridden my R1200GS through regions I had never explored before. Every twist of the road had brought something new, a fresh landscape, a different culture, a story waiting to be told. But once I crossed the French border, that sense of uncharted adventure would fade. I knew those roads. The thrill of discovery would give way to the comfort of familiarity.
And yet, I had no regrets. This journey had been everything, pure happiness, adventure, exploration, and the perfect blend of my passions: motorcycles, photography, and travel. In that moment above Vernazza, I felt completely in sync with myself. I was where I was meant to be, doing what I loved, embracing the world with open eyes and an open heart.
As I packed up my gear and continued along the trail, I carried with me more than just a photograph. I carried the essence of an unforgettable journey, a reminder that adventure isn’t just about distance; it’s about discovery, perspective, and the moments that take our breath away.
