Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Italy (September 6-8)

After Venice we both realized we were a little sightseed out and neeeded a break. We had a great time in Vernazza (a.k.a. Rick Steves Land, seriously, he probably owns it. If you can walk 5 feet without seeing someone walking around carrying Rick Steves Italy 2009, it's because it's 2010 and they have that one. We had one person accost us and ask if we went to see the Canoli brothers for breakfast: "Didn't you read Rick?"). Seriously, though, it has been one of our favorite places. It had crystal clear cool deep water, beautiful hills, good food, inexpensive and comfortable lodging, and lots and lots of relaxation. Strangely, it almost reminded me of home. I think it was just the ocean and the tourists though, because focaccia at home is nowhere near as good as this was. I ate nothing but plain focaccia for an entire day, every meal one day.

Apparently you can hike in Cinque Terra. I say apparently, because we did not. After the Varenna Odessey to the Castle, we decided we deserved to not have to hike. Also there was a wildfire raging on the other side of the hill, causing the "easy" hiking trail to be closed. The "difficult" trail went all the way around to the point of land you see in the distance. Uphill. It was 80 degrees out, the water was fine, and we are not German. Instead we walked to the trailhead, got this beautiful picture, and took the opportunity spend the rest of the day swimming right at the curve of the breakwater here, betwen the boats and where it curves in was the popular swimming/diving spot, with 15 foot deep water, pretty fish and huge under water boulders, and lots of Italian kids doing cannonballs 3 at a time.
















Kevin took this of himself. I'm not kidding. Mini Tripod rocks my world. He was next to me one second, didn't say a word, then hopped up and jumped in with a huge smile. After he popped his head up he yelled "Did it work?". Yup. It worked.
















Then he took one of me. Far less exciting.

One night we had a romantic Cliff Top dinner at Sunset.
















Another night we went to a few of the local markets and put together a feast of fresh mozzarella, pesto, spicy salami, and sundried tomatoes, all on top of more delicious focaccia. Picture is blurry because one of us touched the lense on the camera. Nothing to do with the wine. Promise.

This was the view from our room. We liked waking up here. Definitely the prettiest view we've had so far.
















It was also very convenient for doing laundry (I hid all my panties on the inside of all the clothes) . We hung out at "the pool" most of the day, ocasionally checking to make sure our clothes weren't blowing down the street.
















See, we have other people take pictures of us, too. This is the town going up the hill behind the harbor.


Another gorgeous sunset in Vernazza. . . You can't really tell, but the smoke from the fire made for beautiful sunsets every night. Great colors. Also the Indiana Jones look alike fire planes dipping in to the ocean to douse the flames every few minutes were very exciting. Almost as exciting as the number of old men in Speedos. And again, mini-tripod rocks my world.