The Cinque Terre

The Cinque Terre, or "the five lands," are on the west side, in the Italian Riviera. If you look at my blog map to your left, these towns are located between Pisa and Genoa. This was our first trip spending any time on the Mediterranean Sea. The five villages were very isolated until the last 30 years or so. They each have their own distinct dialect and heritage. The area has actually been made a national park, to preserve it. Our drive was about 5 hours. Here's a few beautiful scenes we saw on the way...




We stayed in the town of Vernazza....





The locals here still farm this region the way their ancestors did (and the only way possible)-- on terraces -- grapes and olives being the main crop.


There are mostly rugged, rocky mountain trails connecting the towns. One trail is paved and easy, and took only 20 minutes. It's called the Via Dell'Amore, the "pathway of love" because it helped young people from the towns of Riomaggiore and Manarola get together after centuries of isolation. Trains also connect the towns now, and make it quick to get back and forth.




We hiked the trail between Monterosso and Vernazza in about an hour and a half. It was tough! It was 3 kilometers of up and down on rocky steps. It was so worth it though. Both kids were troopers and we enjoyed exploring and chatting along the way.





We were lucky to reach Vernazza in time for a perfect sunset shot!


The trail from Corniglia to Vernazza took us about an hour and 45 minutes. It was even tougher because it was early afternoon -- sunny and hot! It was 4 kilometers of even rougher rock steps and pathways. Still, the kids were smiling, the views were amazing, we drank a lot of water, we all survived, and we all had a great time. And from my photographer's perspective, I would have missed out on these great pictures if I only took the train between towns!



Hot and tired, but still smiling that sweet little smile...


This one is my favorite....


We got our rewards after all those hikes! The seaside dining was amazing -- with seafood and pesto. This region is the birthplace of pesto, so they know how to do it right!



The kids had their perfect reward in mind -- swimming! Bryan and I just relaxed in the sun and sand.




We voted it our favorite trip in Italy so far. You can't beat the big cities like Rome and Venice for history, art and culture, but for nature and beauty, this wins hands down. There were no museums to tour, which made Sara ecstatic. We also liked how quiet and peaceful our stay was. In the woods we heard the birds, by the shore we heard the surf, and resting in our room we only heard each other because we had no tv. It was simple, wonderful family time!

Sara's Gymnastics Meet

Sara's very first Gymnastics meet was this weekend. She was really nervous. She was competing in three events -- vault, beam, and floor. You can see Bryan and Andrew to the far left in the audience. I was near her on the floor, helping with the meet (and taking pictures). Here she is, in action...






The floor routine was her last event. Right before it, she was so nervous --she was begging me to not make her compete! I'm so glad I didn't listen to her! Not only did she face her fears and step onto the floor, she totally rocked it! She took first place for her age level in that event! She was glowing with happiness!


She also got 2nd place in the beam, and 4th in the vault.


And here she is with Coach Angela, who is also a neighbor and good friend of ours.


WAY TO GO SARA!

Deruta & Assisi

I organized a girls' trip to the Italian towns of Deruta and Assisi. Deruta is famous for their ancient method of making fabulous, hand-painted ceramics. Assisi is famous for good ol' Saint Francis. Ten of us ladies, and one little Sam, enjoyed the trip through the Tuscany countryside into the Umbrian region. We left EARLY Saturday morning and drove 5 hours in 3 cars to get there. It was a quick trip, with only 1 night in a beautiful agriturismo, but we made the most of our time. Here's some of the beautiful scenery...




Of course, we went straight to Deruta first, for the SHOPPING!

Danielle, April, Courtney, and Missy...


Dawn and Carol...


Me and Missy...


Laura, her mother-in-law, her MIL's friend (out of town visitors) and little Sam...


Carol and Dawn...


Our hotel, called an "agriturismo" here, because it is a farm and vineyard as well.


In the little suite I shared with Dawn and Carol...


Two views from our room...



Later that evening, after many hours of pottery shopping, we enjoyed some vino in the hotel reception area before heading to a late dinner in town.




Next morning, we went to Assisi. It is a VERY steep hillside town, but pristinely clean and beautiful.




The Basilica of Saint Francis...



Views from the city walls...



After only a morning and a lunch in Assisi we had to head for home. What a quick trip, but so worth it! We all had a great time together! Here is some of the loot I brought home. After seeing my purchases Bryan said, "Why didn't you buy more?" Ahh, I love that man!



Now I really want to go back there with my family!