Sunday, April 28, 2013

Cinque Terre


Cinque Terre is one of Italy’s most beautiful destinations. It’s difficult to describe exactly: five lovely little towns, full of colorful houses, clinging to the hillside. It doesn’t feel like anywhere I’ve ever been, Italy or elsewhere. 

The entire region has a Disney-esq. quality. If I didn’t know better, I would have thought that Walt came in and designed the five towns himself. However, Cinque Terre has been around much longer than the Disney dynasty. The towns feature castles and watchtowers dating back to the Middle Ages. Tourists of all ages hike between from one town to the next, exploring the lush landscape of waterfalls, exotic flowers, and scenic ocean views.

Unfortunately, we were rained out and returned home sooner than planned. Even still, it was a good weekend. And don't worry, I took plenty of pictures :)

Bonus fun fact: Cinque Terre is the birthplace of pesto. So obviously, I tried to work pesto into every meal (from pesto omelets, to focaccia, to pasta).

The hike! So many stairs.
There was a landslide a few months ago...

Just in case you were thinking about embracing going in nature...
Why, yes. That is a little boat sticking out of that house.
Result of the recent landslide.

This is the rest of the house. 




Cinque Terre was one of the first places in Italy where lovers attached locks to seal their eternal love.
Spumante is a local white wine produced in Cinque Terre. 



Slightly off English translation, but it's the thought that counts, right?
Without doubt, the most beautiful cemetery I've ever visited.






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