A Wandering Sole

Montage Monday: A Support System on a RTW Trip

// May 10th, 2010 // 5 Comments » // Italy, Photo of the Week

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When in Florence… Be a Tourist

// April 22nd, 2010 // 5 Comments » // Italy

There are plenty of places in the world where I would tell you to avoid the tourist traps. Many are just moneymaking sites with junk shops enveloping them. In Florence, the junk shops and street vendors are in abundance, however, most of the touristy sites are must-sees.

Ponte Vecchio

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I Duomo About You, But I Love Florence

// April 21st, 2010 // 2 Comments » // Italy

Ahem, forgive the cheesy title. I just couldn’t help myself!

Inside the Duomo

My first full day in Florence I wanted to cross off the item at the top of my sightseeing list: the Duomo. Not only is it just blocks from my hostel, but I’ve been intrigued by this structure since learning about it in school.  The Duomo is an architectural masterpiece. Designed by Brunelleschi in the 15^th century, it is two concentric domes that were built without the assistance of a supporting frame. It’s massive red-tiled structure feels even larger in person. You can climb up the 463 steps to the top of the dome, but I passed for the time being.
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Picture This: Cinque Terre

// April 20th, 2010 // 2 Comments » // Italy

Here is my photo album from Cinque Terre. In a hurry? For a quicker overview, click here.

Riomaggiore

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Grocery in Riomaggiore

Montage Monday: A Room With a View

// April 19th, 2010 // 2 Comments » // Italy, Photo of the Week

Even though I have been staying in budget friendly places (i.e. cheap hostels & hotels), I’ve somehow managed to get a room with a view more often than not. While heading to the Amalfi Coast for a few days, my mom and I stayed in Sant’Agnello, the next town over from Sorrento. We stayed at Porto Salvo, a small hotel that was once a monastery, along the coast. And this was our view :)

Running through Lucca (& a side trip to Pisa)

// April 16th, 2010 // 2 Comments » // Italy

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Leaving Cinque Terre behind, I was en route to Florence. I had two stops planned: a  cliché visit to Pisa and an afternoon run in Lucca. I got to Pisa and checked my luggage at the train station. I walked to the Leaning Tower and took my tourist photos. It was really impressive. Even though I’d obviously seen lots of photos of the Tower, I couldn’t get over just how far it was leaning. I was happy to have made the stop in Pisa, even if it was quick.

I next took the train to Lucca. Surrounded by high Renaissance walls, it contains a wealth of history and meandering streets where one can stumble upon old churches and architectural finds. The 12 meter high wall is quite imposing upon approaching it.
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5Terre Series: Vernazza, Monterosso, & Then Some

// April 11th, 2010 // 5 Comments » // Italy

Vernazza
After my adventurous hike from Corniglia, I was thrilled to have finally  made it to Vernazza. This village is the quaintest of the five villages, making it also one of the most touristed. Compared to the other 3 villages I had already visited in Cinque Terre, it felt so crowded. There were a lot more families and people traveling in larger groups in Vernazza.

Piazza Marconi

5Terre Series: Manarola & Corniglia

// April 7th, 2010 // No Comments » // Italy

I woke up the next morning feeling rested and ready to take on Cinque Terre! I had bought the Cinque Terre card the evening prior and found out that I could only take the coastal trail as far as Corniglia… it was closed to the next two towns due to a mudslide. From Riomaggiore to Manarola, you hike on the path known as Via Dell’Amore. It is one of the most famous places where you will see love padlocks. (more…)

5Terre Series: Arriving in Riomaggiore

// April 2nd, 2010 // 2 Comments » // Italy

I took the train from Venice via Florence and arrived at the first village in Cinque Terre: Riomaggiore. After walking through a fairly long tunnel, I found myself on the main street through the village. I was staying at a place called Mar-Mar and their office was just up on the left. I knew I had arrived right at lunch time and expected to wait until the office reopened. But, being that it’s a small village, the staff had left my key and directions to my room posted on the office door. You’d never be able to get away with that most places but that was my first inclination that I had arrived in a great little town. After walking up two narrow alleyways, I passed an elderly gentleman who said “Ciao Bella!” in the most genuine and non-cliche tone. I arrived at my place, and my instructions said I could take any available bed. After walking through the three bedroom apartment, I realized that every bed was empty. I had the place to myself!

I set down my stuff, and threw open the shutters in the kitchen: what an incredible view! I grabbed my camera, left the apartment, and headed down a set of stairs through another tunnel that opens up to Riomaggiore’s harbor. If you’ve seen a postcard of Cinque Terre, more often than not, it’s of this spot. The multicolored houses with the cliffs in the background makes for a dramatic view. I snapped some photos, talked to several study abroad students, and then just sat to take in the locals. There was a boat coming into the harbor with the day’s catch, a couple of people just fishing from the rocky shore, and two small restaurants preparing for their evening patrons. There was even a cat that I fell in love with, sitting on one of the boats and constantly sniffing the air, waiting for the fisherman to  pull up to shore and share a bite of fish! The weather was beautiful. After coming from snow and wind in Venice, the sunshine felt like an addiction, and I soaked up all that I could. Even with such good weather, it was not crowded at all. My first night in Riomaggiore, I maybe came across 10 tourists. 10! Like I mentioned in my previous post, this place is underrated. The hostel worker back in Venice had never even heard of Cinque Terre, and it was true of many travellers I spoke to while in Italy.

Being on my backpacker budget, I made a stop in the local store and picked up, of course, some pasta (tortellini to be exact) and strolled back to my apartment, where I spent quite a bit of time figuring out how to get the stove to light!

5Terre Series: I Heart Cinque Terre

// March 31st, 2010 // 2 Comments » // Italy

View of Manarola

Did I really just say that? I’m pretty sure the phrase, “I heart…” was meant for pre-teen girls who scribble on the bathroom walls and pass notes in class with a request for ‘Check yes or no’. Err, I guess I mean, I’m absolutely enthralled with Cinque Terre: head over heels, in love, could spend a summer here type of thing. This small collection of five coastal fishing villages was my next stop in Italy. Cinque Terre is located on the northwest coast of Italy, just a couple of hours outside of Florence on the Italian Riviera. It’s been a growing stop on the backpacking circuit for years but is still underrated in guide books. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was made into a national park about 10 years ago. The reasons are quite obvious. With its beautiful panoramics, rocky cliffs, terraced farmland, and lack of cars within the villages, it is quaint, charming, and dramatically beautiful. Fun fact: It’s also in the region where pesto was invented, so make sure to pick some up while you’re here.
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