CINQUE TERRE - ITALIAN RIVERIA

Rob, Doug, Cliff & I drove to La Spezia to catch a ferry to Portovenere. We were hoping to explore the Cinque Terre. We arrived in La Spezia only to discover the cycle race "Giro d` Italia" finish line was in the town. There were so many road blocks we were unable to access the ferry terminal, so we continued on to Portovenere. 

Rob & Doug were only staying the day, so they went off on their own to explore the towns of Cinque Terre by ferry.

Meanwhile Cliff & I booked in to our hotel as we were going to walk the Cinque Terre from start to finish. The view from our room was pretty good for the price, plus breakfast. 

It was time to check out the colourful streets of Portovenere.

What to eat, what to eat - We couldn't make up our mind so decided another picnic was in order. More cheese, meats but this time a bottle of local wine (instead of a tetra-pak) We sat looking over the Mediterranean Sea watching a group of young people swimming & sunbaking - Cliff thought "that looks pretty good" so in he went. 

While I, on the other hand spent my time watching a baby bird - so cute (although Cliff thought the birds sunbaking themselves were even cuter)

The town is overlooked by Diora Castle (constructed in 1161)

Great views from the castle of St Pietro church (apparently built in the 6th century)

Next day we checked out bright & early to catch a ferry to the first town to commence our walk - The start of the walk on the Via dell'Amore (Street of Love) which is the easiest part of the walk from Riomaggiore to Manarola - we even had our padlock with our names engraved to attach to the fence. (just joking - no padlock for us) We met a really nice Kiwi couple who informed us all the trails were closed for restoration & the only part of the walk that was open was - THE HARDEST PART- the one with all the steps.

Photo of Riomaggiore

Back on the ferry & off to the last village of the Cinque Terre (or top village which ever way you look at it) On the way we saw the villages of Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza then our stop of Monterosso (after a while all the villages start to look alike)

Off we set  - it was an extremely steep walk (up hill) & busy - a bit like Pitt Street at lunchtime. 

We managed to complete the walk in 90 minutes & Cliff did it in thongs - a few people stared at his feet but only one person commented. WooHoo Vernazza -  we made it!!!

Lunch was in order, so we found a lovely restaurant on the dock & indulged in beautiful local seafood

The town was exceptionally pretty (but very touristy)

We caught a train back to Lucca. After a couple of hours we finally made it home for a well deserved rest. Tomorrow it will be time to explore Lucca & the surrounding villages.

QUOTE FOR THE DAY

Un giorno senza sorriso e` un giorno perso

TRANSLATION

A day without a smile is a day wasted

LUCCA - TUSCANY

The drive from Bellagio was pretty hair raising. Cliff was driving & the roads were barely wide enough for one car let alone two cars passing each other. This was one of the wider roads.

We arrived in one piece. It was too early to access our apartment so we sat in the piazza enjoying lunch at Dal Puccini, one of the many cafes surrounding the square. Lucca was founded by the Etruscans & became a Roman colony in 180 BC. It is also the birthplace of Giacomo Puccini the composer, Rob has booked tickets for us to attend a recital in the church of San Giovanni - our first opera, very excited. This city is like a maze - you can get lost at every turn, dont leave home without a map.

While we were enjoying lunch, a bride & groom entered the piazza, everyone at the cafes & restaurants started clapping & cheering.

Our apartment was ready, it was on the 3rd floor (the room with us waving from it)

very steep stone steps (no lifts to help with luggage - bad for the knees but good for the butt)

A lovely 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom place right in the middle of the piazza. Our bedroom is in the attic (another 12 steps up) maybe walking up & down all these stairs will burn off some of the food & vino we have been consuming lately.

BUT I don't think so

Rob loves to cook & we are thoroughly enjoying her delicious italian food such as this Bistecca (giant T-bone, each weighs a minimum of 750 grams) with roasted vegetables plus the boys found a 5lt flagon of red vino for only €4 to complement the meal (for cheap wine it was pretty good)

overlooking the piazza, there were families everywhere, young children playing soccer -  band playing music to a crowd of people - an old man dancing in the centre, children dancing with their mothers - the Italians are full of life & appear to enjoy every moment. 

Being festival time  - they were setting up for a DJ until midnight.

The party didn't start until 9:30, the Italians don't seem to eat until very late (8:30-9pm) then the streets & piazza fill up with people. Wandering through the crowds everybody was enjoying the atmosphere, little children were still dancing with each other at 11pm. 

Next day Cliff & I hired push bikes to ride around the walls of the city.

It brought back memories of riding as a child - a little scary after all this time

Off to Cinque Terre tomorrow to do some walking.

BELLAGIO - PART 2

So many beautiful villages to visit around the lake

Best not to drive here - ferries run all the time to the villages around the lake - It was market day so Rob & Doug were off to Como markets, while Cliff & I went to the markets in Lenno to pick up something for lunch.

lots of local produce - meats & cheeses, fruit & clothes

The biggest cheese we have ever seen

With lunch in our backpack we ferried to Cadenabbia & set out on our treck to the church of San Martino - in this photo you can just see the white church above Cliff's head.

Lovely little bar along the way, but unfortunately closed, we will definitely come back to check out this place.

Finally we made it

Time to enjoy our lunch of local cheese, bresaola (dried beef), fruit & of course you can't beat a good red wine (in a tetra-pak! only €1.39 per litre)

The village of Varenna with Rob & Doug was fun - once again very pretty

One rainy day Cliff & I decided to drive to Lake Lugarno Switzerland - Sorry - no photos - rain, scary traffic, no parking - so home we went - although we did find a lovely little restaurant for lunch

On our 2nd last day Cliff & I ferried to Varenna & walked to a castle (Castello di Vezio) it was built in the late 11th century. (way up the top of the hill behind the town you can see part of the castle)

An extremely steep cobbled path from the back of the village to the castle but well worth the walk - another day of incredible views & unusual artwork.

It was quite warm so we found a shady spot for lunch - couldn't resist more local cheese, meat & of course - the handy tetra-pak

We found a goat trail down to the town

Cliff & I discovered a local cafe in Bellagio where we went each afteroon - Sergio the owner spoke only a tiny bit of english & his wife no english, so they got one of their regulars "Giuseppe" to interpret for us - what an incredible experience - it was like "Cheers" we became part of the group of locals that met at the same time each day.

Little Giuseppe (Pepe) on my right & English speaking Giuseppe (Joe) on my left

Now, Sergio the owner also made his own fruit soaked in grappa - he said 2 pieces per day was good for digestion, although I wouldn't eat them first thing in the morning as I'm pretty sure if you drove you would be over the limit.

Cliff bought 3 jars (Cliff was as pickled as the fruit)

Every time we go to a cafe for a glass of wine or beer - they bring you food to eat, big bowls of crisps or bruschetta - of course you can't help yourself & you eat the food. If we keep going we will need to buy new clothes very soon - I'm starting to feel like this statue

Well Bellagio has been a great experience - we have had so much fun, it's hard to imagine our next stop could be better than this one - we'll just have to wait & see

Ciao Ciao Bellagio

• Edit
• Watch this page