Our last morning in Cinque Terre…

Packing up and eating up a few leftovers out of the fridge was a start to our morning. A beautiful day! Deciding to enjoy the gorgeous weather we set off to hike the trail from Manarola to Corniglia. Stopping at a caffe for a coffee and pastry before we hit the trail.

The most amazing hike I have ever been on! Climbing steps that we thought would go on forever! Past Vinyards, Olive groves, Gardens, and a few homes. Passing through a tiny mountain village in-between. Mountians on one side and ocean below. Stunning!

*The hike begins…incredible views straight ahead.*

*Living on the edge…trial between beautiful hillside vineyards*

*High mountain town we walked through between Manarola and Corniglia*

*Through the foliage we see our destination…*

*Corniglia…the legs want to be there already!*

Reaching Corniglia after our three hour hike we found a place to get some fresh squeezed orange juice and a frozen lemonade.

Refreshing! Now the four hundred some steps down to the train station to catch the train back to Manarola. Got a quick lunch of foccacci from Cambusa once again. One final climb back up to our little home here to fetch all our luggage. Much easier taking it down to the train station them all the work it took to get it up to our apartment!

Lucca Bound! Or maybe after a bit. Trains can be delayed quite frequently here in Italy. We had to transfer to a different train part way through the journey. Got a old train this time no AC. Had the widows down and it was still hot! (note: Italy in June can be a little warm. Packing cloths that breath well will make it more bearable.)

Arriving in Lucca we taxied to our hotel inside the walled city. After checking in we headed back out into the streets. Knowing we would get more tired if we sat down and relaxed! Finding Pastry shop Taddeucci we sat down with some espresso and Buccellato (A anise and raisin sweet bread a local treat here in lucca). Enjoying the view of the piazza as we ate.

*Un Caffe, Un Cappuccino di Piazza…Lucca*

The hike in the morning must of left us with a appetite! We hunted down a Quaint little chocolate shop for a few chocolates to try. Finding another pastry shop Jeff found something else to try! Beings it was to early for supper and the local place we wanted to try opened at seven thirty we decided to go for gelato. Glad we did! Found a window seat to enjoy it. Pear chantilly and cloves, salted pistachio, and coconut were the flavors we tried. So good!!

*Tip: If the Gelato is covered its the fresh, real deal …no preservatives*

Our walking took up to the walking/bike trail on top of the walls of Lucca a four kilometer trail. A very large wall around the city. Made me think of the Walls of Jericho. Could they have been so wide as well?

Supper time was finally arriving! Deciding between two local restaurants was a hard decision to make! Went with trattoria by the name of “La Bottega di Anna e Leo”. A good hearty supper. I went with the zuppa (a local soup) and salad. Jeff went with a traditional Lucca pasta (Tordelli Lucchesi).

*The place locals go to eat…it was amazing*

*The best pasta with meat ragu…the soup was very hearty as well!*

Full and tired we headed to our hotel for some much needed rest! Bonne Notte…zzzzz!

Ciao Manarola, Buongiorno Lucca

Tuscany Hills Are Calling, Prego!

Manarola, Santa Margherita, Portofino!