Italy, Part III: Cinque Terre and Pisa

Day 8, June 26: We woke up in Venice, and after breakfast checked out of the hotel and caught a bus back out to the airport where we had parked our rental car. From there we drove westward along the northern part of Italy and then a bit south to Cinque Terre, which literally means "five lands" and is a cluster of five towns along the northwestern coast of Italy known as the Italian Riviera. The towns are nestled in rocky, mountainous terrain and are a bit of a challenge to get to by car. We actually stayed in Bonassola, which is a town just to the north of the northernmost of the five towns that make up Cinque Terre.

Day 9, June 27: Cinque Terre

We had two nights in Cinque Terre, so we spent one full day exploring Bonassola and the town just to the south, Monterosso, which we accessed by train.

Here is the view from our hotel window and balcony. Isn't the Mediterranean gorgeous!? We enjoyed perfect beautiful weather there.

Hiking down to the beach.

I'm not sure if this was in Bonassola or Monterosso... They're practically the same anyway! :)

Cinque Terre is known for its extensive hiking trails from one town to the next. If I remember correctly, it takes hours hike from one town to the next, so Jeff and I opted to just hike within the town of Monterosso, and that gave us a good taste of the hiking experience.

A view from the hiking trail to the southern part of Monterosso.

We followed signs to a chapel which was situated at the top of a hill, secluded and quiet. Beautiful!

Hanging out by the sea. So peaceful. :)

It might look like worms, but it was some of the best pesto and pasta I have ever had!! SO GOOD. Words just can't describe it.

Day 10, June 28: Through Pisa back to Rome

We just stopped in Pisa to see the Leaning Tower and for a quick pizza lunch. :) Look how strong my husband is!

Ooooh, and look how strong I am!

Eating some Pisa Pizza with the Leaning Tower in the background...

Our Leaning Tower of Pizza

On our way out... I guess this is the wall surrounding the original city of Pisa.

A gorgeous field of sunflowers on our way to Rome...

Next installment: more of Rome! The Coliseum, the Vatican, etc...

Italy, Part II: Venice

Day 7, June 25: We spent two nights in Venice, so we had one full day to explore it. The pouring rain in the morning cleared out of the way for the afternoon, and so it ended up being a really enjoyable day.

Venice has its own kind of magical beauty. We got lost exploring all the alleyways and took more pictures here than any other place. I'll let the photos tell their own story, except for a few here and there...

The view out our hotel window

Taxi Ride

Museum displaying creations based on Leonardo da Vinci's drawings of his inventions

This way or that way, Jeff?

Back at the hotel after a loooooong day

Italy: Part III will be next, featuring Cinque Terre and Pisa...