Cat

We woke up to a cat on our porch in Italy and I named the cat Oreo - Éowyn
To the rhyming & the chiming of the bell

We're right next to the Church of St. Margaret of Antioch in Vernazza! This is from our window, the back of the church is about 10 feet from our apartment. They ring every 30 minutes between 7 and 10,Les mer
Comparison

One of my children did not get my genes...
Framura

We decided to visit one of the tiny towns in the Cinque Terre this afternoon while the crowds were insane in Vernazza.
We did the easy trail along the ocean...and then the hard trail up to the town.Les mer
Playing on the rocks

Eowyn playing on the rocks in Vernazza. Pointing out crabs.
Vernazza AirBnB

This location is to die for! We're so central that we keep having people mistake our stairs for a street and try to come in the gate after us to get up to the next level.
Santuario di Nostra Signora di Reggio

We took a very curvy bus ride up into the hills to the sanctuary above Vernazza. The early people that settled here first settled high up in the mountains for protection and farmed on terraces. EachLes mer
Hike Down from the Sanctuary

It's a long trip straight down, a little hard on the knees!
There are shrines to Mary all over these towns, including in the trails.
Walking Home

At the Harbor

Tiny beach, cool water, lots of crabs and snails = lots of fun for a beach loving girl!
Sand Castle

Éowyn and a little Italian boy are building a sand castle together using emphatic gesturing. It's adorable.
Sparkling Bay in Vernazza

View from our room
Exploring Vernazza

I just love the ambiance of this town. We went up to Castle Doria for the views and then out to the pier and rocks.
The trail down to Vernazza

We took a hike today in the morning and got some amazing views of the valley Vernazza is in.
Time with Daughters

Vernazza Cemetery

The cemeteries are on the highest hills of the town. I liked how each grave shows a photo of the person, and are all in beautiful white stone.
Azure Trail to Corniglia

My watch totaled 83 stories on this hike.
The accordion player on the way in to Corniglia was a nice touch, as was the juice bar part way through.
As usual, Éowyn found a stick.
The Azure Trail,Les mer
A Wonderlandy looking waterfall.

- Willow
Corniglia

This is the smallest of the 5 towns, and the only one with no access to the sea.
I could spend a few days in each town just exploring every nook and cranny!
Unlike its coastal neighbors, CornigliaLes mer
Important Stop

We had to buy another bottle of sciacchetra (shah-kay-TRAH).
Sciacchetrà is a sweet wine produced in the rugged hills of the Cinque Terre region in Italy. This exquisite dessert wine is made from aLes mer
Hiking to Monterosso

Yes, we're gluttons for punishment since you have to pay for a day pass. Sean and I decided to make the trek to Monterosso. This stretch of trail is a uniquely beautiful place.
Azure Trail - Coming in to Monterosso

My watch has now totaled 150 stories and 8 miles.
Dinner in Monterosso

The girls took the train and met us in Monterosso, the biggest of the 5 towns.
The restaurant we ate at (brilliant idea to make burgers with focaccia) is in a building over 600 years old.
WeLes mer
My Sisters

We got gelato - Anya
Manarola at Sunset

Reisende
It seems very comfy.
ReisendeComfy enough that while we were gone it puked all over our table, lol
Reisende😬