Lunedi, Marzo 15-4.3 miles
Martedi, Marzo 16-5 miles
Mercoledi, Marzo 17-4.25 miles
After Venice and a couple hectic days traveling through Vicenza, Verona, and Milan we finally made it to Cinque Terre. The girls and I stayed in an apartment we rented in Riomaggiore. Because we looked like 'good girls' the people we rented from gave us a free upgrade to an apartment that had 1.5 bathrooms and two balconies, one of which was seaside!
Before coming to Italy, Laura and I watched Rick Steves' (the travelin' man) episodes on Italy. He traveled to Cinque Terre and talked extensively about the food and the hiking trails. So, all of us girls equipped with our Rick Steves' knowledge and guide books headed to Riomaggiore. Every time we partook in something we read in our guide book or saw on the show we would quote, "According to Rick Steves'...."
Here are some of the highlights
Monday we ate lunch at Il Grottino. Notice the reflection of the buildings through the wine glass on the tablecloth.
The alley to our apartment
Hanging out in our apartment on Day 1. I am out on the balcony looking in.
The girls taking the path outside our apartment down to the marina.
Looking up at our apartment, the left middle building, top balcony
Every night we loved watching sunsets from our balcony. This is sunset day 1
Cooking dinner; we cooked 2 of the 3 nights we were there. Rick Steves suggests travelers take time to cook their own meals with food they buy at the local markets.
Dinner the first night: red pesto and green beans. Pesto is originally from this region (Cique Terre) of Italy so Rick Steves' would be doubly proud!
The pedestrian tunnel we took from the train station into town. The whole length of the tunnel had this mural of seascape made with various stones and seashells. During WW2, this tunnel used to serve as a bunker.
Along the trail (suggested hiking by Rick Steves!) on Day 2. Cinque Terre is a national park that include hiking trails connecting each of the five cities.
I found myself taking a lot of pictures of plants
Some of the trail that follows the cliff side
Emily, Amy, Laura, and I peeking through the windows of the covered walkway
and then I found this rock resting ever so lightly on the edge of the cliff contemplating life....
then we saw ships off in the distance and pretended they were pirates!
and crossed a bridge
All along the trail there were these red and white trail markers. Laura and I pretended we were on the Amazing Race...
stopping to take a picture: Emily, Amanda, Me, Laura, and Amy
and then I found a friend, or he found me; he followed us awhile and enjoyed the attention we gave him
Sunset Day 2
Dinner the second night at La Lampara
Continuing my Pesto theme for the break, I enjoyed my Pesto Pizza. The crust was light and buttery and flaky full of deliciousness!
Because we deserved it, we all decided to get dessert that night. I had a walnut/caramel pie
Day 3 (St. Patty's Day) we go to Monterroso and check out the beach. Here the nicely designed boardwalk along the coast.
and we come across another friend
A well thought out plaza that includes plenty of seating, a giant chess board, and a sundial. It was about 12pm.
Sunset Day 3
Dinner Day 3; Pesto (green for St. Patty's Day), a cheese wrap, and toasted bread
1 comment:
Absolutely delightful! Rick Steves would be so proud of all of you!
Post a Comment