Buon Giorno from Cinqe Terre! Wow, we are having an amazing, amazing time! After a too-fast tour of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel (beautiful is too small a word. I honestly started to cry at St. Peter’s Basilica), we waved goodbye to the wild Romans and their hot city.
We traveled north to cool off in the Lingurian sea at Cinque Terre, five villages built up into the mountains. We have spent the last two days swimming in the sea, strolling through the most enchanting Italian villages, and sampling gelato at every corner. This is exactly how I always imagined Italy to be!
Last night we climbed up to the top of a cliff to have dinner over looking the sea. Cinque Terra is the birthplace of pesto, and it is simply the besto! (Shanel is probably the only one who will appreciate that Friend’s allusion, but there you go). Having left our most of our money and our cash cards at the hotel, we arrived at Ristorante Castello with just enough euros for an amazing pesto and veal dinner.
I’m enchanted with the sea and Nate is in love with the food! There are fresh paninis, pizzas, and foccaccias in little eateries lining the towns. I think that Nate has sampled one from each! Oh and he has found the best little fruit smoothie shop. No frozen fruit or premade juice–the sweet lady pulls the fruit out of the basket slices it up, adds fresh squeezed lemonade, and mixes in yogurt. It’s a delicious way to start the morning.
We spent most of today swimming. The water is so blue and so clear that you can see to the bottom even where it is very deep. We swam out to this rock ridge far from the beach today, and Nate enjoyed counting the crabs scurring around us as well as diving off the rocks. Oh, it is so beautiful here.
Nate’s hungry again, so I have to sign off.
Ciao!
Italy sounds beautiful! Now I want to go! Mmmm, and the food sounds delicious. Thanks for updating. I love reading about your adventures!
Yes, Cinque Terra is probably THE most enchanting, beautiful place I have ever been. I’m so envious that YOU have been able to swim in THAT water. Only memories remain for me now. I’m so happy for you that you are there now!!! I didn’t know about the besto pesto (neither that Cinque Terra was the birthplace nor that there was a Friends allusion to be gleaned). Keep having fun!!
Hi Rachel! Erik & I LOVE la Cinque Terre…che bellissimo!!! We were there almost two years ago this fall. It was awesome. I’m so glad that you’re having this adventure. We tried the pesto while we were there and it was great. I got onto your blog through Jennifer’s blog. I hope you’re doing well! Enjoy the rest of your trip!
Hi guys! Love the pesto is the besto!:) So glad your trip is going so well….be careful of the tide there is the M city (I can’t remember how to spell it) Rachel and I were reading quietly on the beach and the tide came up on us and everyone laughed at the silly Americans..I miss you guys! Hello to Ava too, hope you’re having lots of fun!! – shanel
So happy you guys are having a good time! It sounds gorgeous! Enjoy every minute!
What a trip you are having! Thanks for keeping us posted via your blog and text messages. Just wanted to let you know I called Ava and she gave me about 10 seconds to say hi, I love you Gramma, and bye! Sounded like she was having a great time! She is in great hands!
Love, Mom
Wow…sounds like SO much fun and such a wonderful place to be!! It has been great to read about…I have been thinking of you guys and praying for your little one as you are away… Enjoy the rest of your trip! – Kristi
Im so jealous! I am glad you two have this refreshing time together!