Italy 2022 | FindPenguins

Newest first

Trip start
October 8, 2022
Italy 2022 Traveler
Walk from Camogli to San Frutuosso
October 9, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
We set out for a 5 mile walk from our hotel to San Fruttuoso Di Camogli. The walk was pretty hilly and we started by walking down some steps and crossing a stream before climbing and climbing up more steps to the church at San Rocco after about 40 minutes.

From there we continued up some steps and along a track through some forests to over 450m before the track headed down steeply along some zig zagging paths until eventually, after about an hour we arrived at the pretty hamlet of San Fruttuoso where there was a pebble beach, a couple of bars and a monastery. The cove is only reachable by walking or boat.

After a couple of beers we caught the ferry back to Camogli which took about 20 minutes.

We had a couple of beers and then walked back up to our hotel for about 5 po mRead more
1 like
Italy 2022 Traveler
Camogli, Santa Margherita di
October 10, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
After breakfast we walked down into the town, braving the drizzle, and caught the train to Santa margarita. The journey itself was only 5 minutes but mostly through a tunnel taking us through to the other side of this hill.

Santa margarita is a pretty little town and after wandering around a little bit in the rain we walked the 4 miles along the coast, mostly on the flat, to portofino. The last section took us on an up and down path through some woods before we dropped down into the town.

We had a rather expensive beer and snack overlooking harbour, before catching the ferry which stopped at Santa margarita and then on to Rappallo.

I'm all honesty Rappallo was pretty miss-able. Lots of building work going on and probably not helped by the fact that it was Monday and out of season. When we got back to our hotel the owner said that Rappallo is not worth going to as it was over developed in the sixties.

So we didn't hang around and caught the train back to Camogli where we had a couple of drinks, some snacks and a game or two of yahtzee while overlooking the sea.

We then headed back up the steps to the hotel for a glass of wine and a shower before heading out for food.Read more
0 likes
Italy 2022 Traveler
Villa Rosmarino
October 10, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
Our accommodation for the last couple of nights, and for one more, has been Villa Rosmarino. What a great place to stay. Only 6 rooms and a swimming pool, trompe l'oeil facade and friendly and helpful staff and owner.

https://www.mrandmrssmith.com/luxury-hotels/vil…

The villa sits high above the town which means that there are great views. It's 'only' 400 steps up from the town but the quietness makes up for the effort!Read more
TravelerLooks h
10/11/22Reply
TravelerLooks beautiful. Glad you're enjoying . Travel safely 💖💙
10/11/22Reply
0 likes
Italy 2022 Traveler
Cinque Terre
October 11, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
After another lovely breakfast, this time al fresco at Villa Rosmarino, we set off towards Tuscany. On the way we planned to stop to visit the Cinque Terre. After an hour's drive we turned off the motorway and spent about 30 minutes driving down, then up and down again song some very very windy roads before ending up at Monterosso, the first of the 5 villages.

We found a car park and then wandered along the sea front. It really was very bustling and not for the first time we were glad that we were visiting in October and not July!

After a pit stop for a small beer and a comfort break, we eventually decided that we would take a ferry along the coast to one of the other villages, in this case Manarola. We travelled along the coast, stopping at Vernazza, and passing Corniglia before arriving at the drop off point.

The weather had definitely taken a turn for the better from yesterday with warm sun and calm conditions. On arriving at Manarola, we explored the village. Again, the village was very busy with tourists exploring the gift shops and having an Italian version of fish and chips. We didn't have much time, but I had a gelato while Ed had a beer before we headed for the railway station to catch the train back to Monterosso. The train travels right along the coast although mostly in tunnels.

On getting back to Monterosso we located the car and then started on the journey of about 170 miles to our next stop near San Gimignano in Tuscany, arriving just as the sun was setting.Read more
0 likes
Italy 2022 Traveler
Il Segreto di Pietrafitta
October 11, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
Some photos from in and around our accommodation near San Gimignano which was in a beautiful location with stunning views. It was an old farmhouse which had been beautifully renovated and was decorated with lots of the old fittings from the farmhouse.

The food was also delicious!

http://www.ilsegretodipietrafitta.comRead more
0 likes
Italy 2022 Traveler
San Gimignano
October 12, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
After breakfast which consisted of meats, ham, cheese and quiche amongst other things, we decided to walk the long way round to San Gimignano. The route took us through some vineyards and then along an unpaved road with some amazing views of the town before we arrived at the top end after about 90 minutes.

The town itself is perched on a hilltop and has a couple of main roads running through it. . The San Augustine church And then we had a quick beer to soothe our legs!

After that we went to the main square and climbed the main tower. The town is largely as it was about 800 years ago and the 14 towers that are left mean that it is often called the Manhattan of Italy. The views from the tower were stunning.

After coming down the tower we moved to the next square and had a couple of beers sitting in the sun. After that we both had a gelato and then walked further down the town and out and back towards our accommodation which took about 45 minutes.

By now it was around 3:30 p.m. and so we took the opportunity to play some cards and have a glass of wine taking in the view. All in all, a very relaxing and satisfying day 😉Read more
0 likes
Italy 2022 Traveler
Hill towns of Tuscany
October 13, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
Today we spent a pleasant few hours visiting a number of the hill towns of Tuscany.

After breakfast We first drove to Siena, Which is about 45 minutes away from where we're staying. Not being ones for seeing every museum and classical piece of art. We spent a couple of hours wondering the streets looking from the outside at the Duomo and main piazza. We had a quick drink before getting back in the car and heading off to the second place.

Our second stop was Monteriggioni, a tiny hamlet completely surrounded by ancient walls. It didn't take long to look around, but we had another quick comfort break before driving to Colle di Val d'Elsa. This was another hill town perched high above three main town. Unfortunately the left was broken so we had to walk the steep hill to the top where again, we spent a short amount of time wandering the streets.

Our final stop was Volterra.. We had a very quick stop here, a final quick drink and then headed back to our accommodation for cards and Yahtzee.Read more
0 likes
Italy 2022 Traveler
Certaldo and wine tasting
October 14, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
When we got up this morning there was a heavy mist along the valley and so after breakfast we decided to take the car and visit another hill town not too far away called Certaldo.

When we got there we parked and there was a funicular railway that took us up to the town and we spent 40 minutes or so wandering the streets of the very pretty central town area. There were a couple of museums although we didn't go into them.

After getting back to the car, we tried to go to another hill town called Castelfiorentino But when we got there it all went a bit run down and so we didn't stop and instead we headed back to our hotel.

By now it was midday and we considered hiring some bikes to go for a wine tasting tour. But in the end we booked a tour that was within walking distance and so had a beer in the garden before heading off for the 3-mile walk to the vineyard.

The setting was stunning overlooking the valleys and seeing some of the towns that we'd been to earlier in the week. We had a tour of the vineyards and the obligatory explanation about how wine is made before trying five lovely local wines.

When we finished we headed back along the route that we'd already walked on to our hotel for another glass of wine watching the sunset. You've got to love Tuscany!Read more
TravelerGlad you're enjoying x
10/15/22Reply
0 likes
Italy 2022 Traveler
Pisa
October 15, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
We checked out of our accommodation near San Gimignano in the morning and drive about 90 minutes to Pisa for our last night in Italy on this trip.

Having previously been to Pisa we didn't need to rush to see the sights and so we found our new accommodation but it was too early to check in so we drove in to the city, parked and visited the tower and Duomo.

Having taken some pics, and marvelled at the number of people taking pictures trying to hold the tower up, we went back to our new b&b and checked in at 3pm. We then took the Pisamover from the airport to the station and spent a few hours wandering the streets, having a few drinks, some food and people watching. 😊🍻Read more
0 likes

Trip end
October 16, 2022