Little Secrets On Italy

So I have got to share with you a little about my trips to San Sebastian and Greece, but not so much about Italy! I really thought life would settle down once I got back home to Sydney (after 6 months in Europe) but it has honestly just proved to be a lot more busier then I ever could have imagined. Catching up with friends and family, looking for a part time job (which in itself is a full time job!!), sorting out university, working (at a Childcare Centre- crazy kids but I love it!) and trying to fit blogging in here and there! But even if it means editing photos and writing posts at midnight, so be it, I love blogging! And I love being able to share with you some amazing photos of the beauty I found in Europe, little tips and hints for travelling and in general all the little thoughts and lessons that I come across in life.

My laptop in general has reaaaaaally been testing my patience (super slow argh) but I battle through until I save up enough to buy a MacBook (woo!). Arden and I are also saving and planning to buy a better SLR soon so I’m really excited to do some shoots with that! Anyways enough about “life”. Here’s some of my thoughts and relfections on Italy!

 

3 Spots We Visited over the Europe Summer

– Cinque Terre (staying in the north village Monterosso)

– Positano (down south on the Amalfi Coast)

– Rome (speaks for itself)

 

What We Thought

– CINQUE TERRE:

LOVED it! It was a massive journey to get here but well worth it. We travelled all the way from San Sebastian in Spain, and due to extreme high prices (Travel in June, July is even more expensive, more people and sometimes the heat is too much!) we had to get two planes to get there cheaper. The whole cheaper from SS to CT was almost 12 hours and consisted of 2 flights, 4 trains, a taxi, an a bus. I would highly recommend booking Eurostar before as we travelled from Florence to Monterosso station and had missed the fast train in the morning meaning we had to take some slower trains which took a total of about 4 hours..

If you are thinking of staying in Cinque Terre I would definitely recommend staying in the most north village Monterrosso: it’s the biggest of them all and consists of both and old town and more modern town. Some villages don’t have access to the beach and are very compact but Monterosso was just perfect for being able to walk down to the main beach filled with orange umbrellas, heaps of sun beds (WARNING: sometimes charge 10 Euro a day), and plenty of restaurants and gelato stores on the beach front).

We stayed in the old town (good choice for accommodation) at a B&B called Hotel Souvenir- it was fine, all we needed, relatively priced, didn’t spend much time in there. Keep in mind a lot of hotels in Europe are a bit older and run down then you think so prepare yourself. We walked the trek to the second village Vernazza (you need to purchase a National Park pass, 5 euro, available from the train station). The walk was about 1 hr 15 mins.  A little steep in some spots but anyone can do it, just take your time if you need to. AND BRING GOOD SHOES (Arden forgot his Nikes so he battled through with his converse).

The next village along is Cornigilia which is actually up higher from the water. To get down to its train station (all five villages have a train station) you have to walk down a massive set of stairs. Its a nice village worth seeing but I don’t think you will spend much time there- we only had lunch then moved on. Riomaggiore is absolutely beautiful! It’s also a very popular village to stay at but once again is a bit smaller and doesn’t have as much access to the beach.

I would highly recommend the restaraunt L’ancora della Tortuga in Monterosso. It’s a little but hidden (you take a set of stairs up from the old town) but it has the most spectacular view straight out over the ocean, serves incredible seafood and is super romantic and has beautiful details (perfect for a last night dinner date). But go the night before and book a table, ask to be seated by the brick wall (best view here!)

As for the rest, Monterosso doesn’t have too much of a party scene but there are a few bars in the Old town and on the beach front (quite expensive). Use trip advisor to help guide you. And the beach has some cute paddle boats you can rent out for the afternoon.

I’ll leave you with some pictures from our time at Monterosso / Cinque Terre and continue some tips on Italy soon!

The Old Town of Monterosso!

One of Monterosso’s beaches

The Cinque Trek to Vernazza (second village down.. 1hr + walk from Monterosso)

Arriving at Vernazza- best spot to photograph over the village

Popular port at Vernazza

Walking out of Vernazza onto Corniglia

Corniglia!

Monterosso’s spectacular beach! One of our favourites from the trip

Riomaggiore!

Sunset, Coronas by the beach… what more could you want?

Monterosso’s beautiful beach!