Monterosso, Cinque Terre
We had our last breakfast in the Palazzo dal Borgo, and our wonderful server, Andre, made us each a special cappuccino. It not only was heartwarming, it was the best coffee we have had in Italy so far. We had given Andre (and a few others) an American flag pin and tootsie roll wrapped in a flag, and he genuinely seemed excited to receive it. From then on he took great care of us each morning.
We had our last breakfast in the Palazzo dal Borgo, and our wonderful server, Andre, made us each a special cappuccino. It not only was heartwarming, it was the best coffee we have had in Italy so far. We had given Andre (and a few others) an American flag pin and tootsie roll wrapped in a flag, and he genuinely seemed excited to receive it. From then on he took great care of us each morning.
Dan about to enjoy his cappuccino
We left the city of Florence for the resort town of Monterosso in the Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera, and we were all too happy to leave the hustle and bustle of the big city behind. As we traveled from Pisa through the Tuscany countryside to La Spezia and into the Cinque Terre, we saw the landscape transform from row upon row of sunflowers and houses dotting the countryside with their classical orange and yellow colors with red tile roofs, to hillsides scarred by the mining of marble and granite, and finally breaking through the tunnel of darkness into bright sunshine with the Ligurian Sea greeting us as we clung to the rocky cliffs perched high above the water. In all, we traveled only about three hours by train, but the vast difference in the regional economy was apparent.
We checked into our hotel, which overlooks the Monterosso harbor and the Ligurian Sea, and hiked around the city checking out small shops and tasting the local wine specialty Sciacchetra, a sweet raisin wine which was potent, but very delicious.
We left the city of Florence for the resort town of Monterosso in the Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera, and we were all too happy to leave the hustle and bustle of the big city behind. As we traveled from Pisa through the Tuscany countryside to La Spezia and into the Cinque Terre, we saw the landscape transform from row upon row of sunflowers and houses dotting the countryside with their classical orange and yellow colors with red tile roofs, to hillsides scarred by the mining of marble and granite, and finally breaking through the tunnel of darkness into bright sunshine with the Ligurian Sea greeting us as we clung to the rocky cliffs perched high above the water. In all, we traveled only about three hours by train, but the vast difference in the regional economy was apparent.
We checked into our hotel, which overlooks the Monterosso harbor and the Ligurian Sea, and hiked around the city checking out small shops and tasting the local wine specialty Sciacchetra, a sweet raisin wine which was potent, but very delicious.
View of Monterosso harbor and Ligurian Sea from our room
Afterwards, we took a quick swim in the water outside our hotel and lounged on the beach soaking up the sun and listening to the myriad of sounds around us. We soon realized we were next to a few others from the U.S., a couple from the south that had moved to Hungary eight years ago, and a teacher from California. We had a pleasant visit before heading back to our hotel room for a shower followed by enjoying the wine and anchovies (another local specialty) and listening to a jazz concert from our hotel room. Tomorrow we plan to hike the Cinque Terre trail which connects the five cities of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.
Afterwards, we took a quick swim in the water outside our hotel and lounged on the beach soaking up the sun and listening to the myriad of sounds around us. We soon realized we were next to a few others from the U.S., a couple from the south that had moved to Hungary eight years ago, and a teacher from California. We had a pleasant visit before heading back to our hotel room for a shower followed by enjoying the wine and anchovies (another local specialty) and listening to a jazz concert from our hotel room. Tomorrow we plan to hike the Cinque Terre trail which connects the five cities of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.
Dan and Carol in Monterosso
Rock sculpture in Monterosso
Boats in the water
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