Come fly with me and explore Italia - Part 2 - Cinque Terre
Last time when I was in Italy with my husband Jeff, six years ago, we never made it to Cinque Terre. Since Izabella stayed with her grandparents in California, we were more about exploring Tuscany, beautiful boutique wineries; Florence, Lucca and Rome. Not to deviate from the trip I’m about to take you on, but if you are an opera junkie like me, Lucca is for you, one of the highlights - museum dedicated to Giacomo Puccini. As you go through the museum, you can hear the music of Madama Butterfly, Tosca and La Boheme. Enchanting!!!!
Going back to now. Since that trip, I decided, I need to learn about the region, Liguria, teach my students and travel to it when life presents the opportunity. So of course, planning for this trip, Cinque Terre was one of the top places to visit. What is Cinque Terre? In Italian, Cinque means Five and Terre means Lands denoting the five villages that make up this territory- Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. All five towns made of absolutely beautiful colored houses, red, yellow, orange, pink, coral with green shutters; terraces which are carefully built to cultivate grapes and olives; vineyards; harbors filled with fishing boats; trattorias serving their seafood delicacies with region’s famous sauce, pesto, all five towns are known for the abundance of basil plantations. Every town is absolutely every hiker’s dream come true. But if you don’t feel like taking a long hike, the place is still for you. You can just walk around, have lunch, indulge in gelato and either sit along the rocky beach with your feet in Ligurian Sea, which in case you didn’t already know, is part of the Mediterranean or even take a dive.
One of my favorite places was Vernazza. Absolutely beautiful with it’s the one and only place for lunch and dinner, (we had lunch), Ristorante Belforte. There is nothing in comparison to the ambiance, which is the view and the food, only the best seafood in this serene town. The atmosphere and the vibe, it’s just like in Italy, oh wait, it was in Italy. Now imagine, 2 pudgy older Italian gentlemen running around the restaurant, carrying plates and shouting, which dish goes to what table. Priceless, just like right out of the movie and Italy is the only place you get to witness it. And if they could only use their hands, believe me, they would. Their grilled seafood platter, Semplicemente Incredibile and the seafood pasta, Mama Mia!! And then at the very end, drum roll please, paying the bill. At the entrance/exit you see an older, typical looking Italian lady wearing a scarf around her head, adding up bills using a calculator. While she is adding your bill, she smiles and offers you limoncello, in her very limited but charming English, “Pleeezz ttriiiiii limoncello.” There is a tray with Italian cookies and 2 different types to try. Well, don't mind if I do,” I think to myself. One for me and one for Izabella. Simply yum!
Now off to the Ligurian Sea! As we came closer to the beach, we saw massive waves splashing the rocks at the shoreline. While admiring this beautiful force of nature, we saw a group of people saving one lady’s life, as she was washed off by the waves. As it happened, I was still willing to dunk my feet into the sea, Izabella got too anxious after what she just witnessed and wanted her papa to stay with her. Let me tell you, it was incredible, rejuvenating and quite thrilling. My family took pictures and videos. And now when I look back, boy oh boy, am I glad I did it. I was safe, but still so risqué. I didn’t realize how high the waves were near me.
Now, don’t forget to take the path that is between the towns, it will take you to the top of the scenic view, the spot where you get to witness the beauty of Vernazza. Even if you are not a hiker, you just must do the walk. Once you are there, you feel you are on top of the world, you get to see the beauty of this magical scenic town and spread your wings. Magnifico!
Off to Riomaggiore. It has one street with countless alleys that take you to a myriad of pick points to see the town. Don’t miss out, hike. After a climb, on the main drag, find Gelateria 5Terre, only the best gelato. Go ahead, reward yourself. Indulge. La Dolce Vita!
As I’m sharing this with you, I get quite an nostalgic feeling about the place I always wanted to visit. Even though I was just there, I want to go back. I want to drink limoncello after leisurely lunch, I want to dunk my feet into the sea, and I want to eat gelato.
Until next time. “See” you in Positano.