le cinque terre

I was going through this old cinque terre post and it inspired me to edit some more unpublished photos here on the blog. I am so fortunate to have been here twice - and both times in the beautiful vibrant warmth of summer! On my last visit, S was with me and it was heavenly...we had the best time touring around! We locked our love on the via dell'amore, something I had wanted to do since first setting eyes on this place. That is what I love about Europe, and specifically Italy...there's an eternally growing bucket list that I have, and whenever i'm there so much seems possible and serendipitous.

I love you, Italy. As if you needed reminding...

ciao! xo

s&t go to italy

The rush of scurrying about Italy for a summer leaves me breathlessly nostalgic. One highlight of the summer was S's turn to visit Italy - his first ever time - and watching the absolute magic of the cities, sights, and foods sink into him. We had an (almost) impossibly long to do list, but I proudly can say that we checked most things off. I was proud because I was kind of an unofficial tour guide, cappo di gruppo, for a week - which had its trying times. For instance my stupid idea to tackle Rome in only one day left me exhausted and frazzled to say the least. Other times were much less rigorous and molto relassante. Such as our beautiful nights in Florence. Wine tasting in Montalcino and Montepulciano. I think my love obsession for Tuscany rubbed off on S.

And so, I give you, a little taste of our Italian travels!

ciao, xo

cinque terre: vernazza

vernazza is town #4. to see my travels of the first two, click clickaroo!

So, Vernazzzza. At first I was not a fan. Meaning, I preferred Manarola and Monterosso much much more. That was two years ago - now, I have obviously matured and come to my senses. I can see what all of the Vernazza hype is about! First off, not to get all Rick Steves, but Vernazza is actually, like, Rick Steves' favorite place ever. Right, Rick? Maybe it's the food, but man, the scenery sure is lovely. The harbor is especially delightful, with all of the pretty little boats bobbing in the soft waves. One of my highlights was splurging a grand total of 1,00 euro on a calamari kabob - how could I not? It was probably swimming somewhere in the Ligurian Sea a few hours before, I could feel the freshness with that first bite (seafood kind of has that characteristic bounce back when you first chomp down, doesn't it?).

Perhaps my favorite part of the day was climbing along the terraces with S and seeing Vernazza from the path-less-traveled. That's how I snapped photo number one, from a more "aerial" angle, head on with the old fortress and belltower. All of the beautiful summery colors of Vernazza just makes me happy. That and the idea of having some sort of pesto dish here. Because this is where pesto was born! Maybe next time I will be willing to sit down at one of the perfectly charming little ristorantes in the harbor, and indulge in some seafood and/or pesto. For now, I am perfectly content with admiring how the linens billow in the wind on the clotheslines, or marveling at the sun-washed-yet-oh-so-saturated colors of the town.

ciaoo! xo

cinque terre: the first two towns

"Riggggomaggiore!"

That's my new favorite way to say Riomaggiore (pronounced ree-yo-ma-jzour-ray, in my own incorrect explanation). Well, the Cinque Terre, also known as the Italian Riviera, is becoming a very well-known spot, that you've probably heard of it before. That's not going to stop me from overloading you with some of these glittering, dreamlike views of the first cliffside town in le cinque terre.

 "T + S"

So, as you can see, Rigomaggiore! is all blue. Stunning views of turquoise, almost iridescent waters. It's such a good first place to stop along your journey of the five towns. Some people I know say it is their absolute favorite part. I have a particular attachment to it, now, since S and I "locked our love" on the via dell'amore, "lover's lane," a famous pathway that starts the 5+ hour hike along the coast. I threw that key into the water so happily, and I can't wait to go see our lock again together.

- - -

After Riomaggiore, there's Manarola - a personal picturesque favorite of mine. It is a breathtaking view; I remember the first time I saw it two years ago, I was actually breathless. This view is the stuff of dreams. 

You know you're in Manarola when you see gentlemen fishermen having a relaxed conversation in the shade, leaning up against their boats which are wheeled up in the streets. You see little the sun beaming down little stair-lined alleys, like the one above. You hear the clinking of silverware and soft chatter over plates of seafood and pesto alla genovese. You see vibrant bursts of wild, sprawling flowers, chasing up walls. The stacked terraces along the cliffsides scream in green, and the blue waters are so blindingly glittery in the sun.

for more of cinque terre, click this!

ciaoo! xo