Under a Ligurian sun
Trip Start
May 04, 2007
1
21
24
Trip End
Jun 16, 2007
We reluctantly (especially the kids) packed our bags and left Laggio, promising to return. Our next stop, Venice, meant a return to an old favourite of Jen's and a new experience of a city on water for the rest of the family. Ben's assessment - old and wet. Wandering the alleys and canals was the highlight, together with a ride on a gondola. Unfortunately the weather wasn't terrific but the food and wine more than made up for it - delicious. We also enjoyed our first real (Aussie-style) showers in over a week.
Then on to Cinque Terre where we walked the 9 or so km between Vernazza and Riomaggiore in perfect late spring weather amongst terraced vineyards, fruit trees and rugged coastline. Kids were so keen for ice cream that they memorised the names of the villages we walked through. Several days later and they're still remembering them.
Being optimists, we packed swimmers hoping to enjoy the beach at the end of the day. Alas, the Italian Riviera is known more for it's celebrity visitors and restaurants than it is for its beaches - if you can call them that. Small rocky inlets covered in very sharp stones. Not to be walked on bare footed - we know, we tried. It made us all appreciate how lucky we are to have soft sand. But it was very beautiful and we were very glad we had made the effort to see it.
Then on to Cinque Terre where we walked the 9 or so km between Vernazza and Riomaggiore in perfect late spring weather amongst terraced vineyards, fruit trees and rugged coastline. Kids were so keen for ice cream that they memorised the names of the villages we walked through. Several days later and they're still remembering them.
Being optimists, we packed swimmers hoping to enjoy the beach at the end of the day. Alas, the Italian Riviera is known more for it's celebrity visitors and restaurants than it is for its beaches - if you can call them that. Small rocky inlets covered in very sharp stones. Not to be walked on bare footed - we know, we tried. It made us all appreciate how lucky we are to have soft sand. But it was very beautiful and we were very glad we had made the effort to see it.


