Caught the train along the Cinque Terre coast to Santa Margherita which is a lovely port town. Walked the 7km following the coastal path around a bay to Portofino which was truly gorgeous and definitely very much a part of the lifestyles of the rich and famous ( and heaps of day tripping tourists!) Of course we had to indulge in an Aperitivo (although a little early!) of Aperol Spritz and soak up the harbourside atmosphere before catching a ferry back to Santa Margherita and continuing our journey by train inland to Asti in the Piemonte region of Italy.
Santa Margherita and Portofino…
28 May 2013 Leave a comment
in Culture, Environment, Uncategorized
Cinque Terre…
27 May 2013 1 Comment
in Culture, Environment
Took a local train from La Spezia to the famous and spectacular coast made up of steep and rugged cliffs dotted with five (cinque) villages. The train runs right along the edge of the coast but includes a lot of tunnels! We got off at the village of Manarola and took a local mini bus about two thirds of the way up the mountain and then hiked along a track through vineyards, olives, vegetable gardens and farmhouses finally descending at the village of Corniglia which was really pretty. After lunch we descended hundreds of stairs to catch the train again to explore Vernazza which is very picturesque with a small harbour. After sipping cafe macchiato and tasting Italian 
Crostata (jam like tart/slice), took another train to Monterosso where we finished the afternoon in a bar with cocktails.
To the Italian coast…
20 May 2013 3 Comments
in Coffee, Culture, Environment, food, People
Took a regional train trip from Lucca to La Spezia, a port city and a short ferry ride to Porto Venere which was just lovely….windy…but lovely! Explored the church built on the cliff and enjoyed my favourite drink “Aperol Spritz” in a waterside bar before returning to a meal of Gamberino at a local seafood restaurant…accompanied by the regional white wine of Cinque Terre.
Lucca continued….
18 May 2013 1 Comment
Aperitivo before our group dinner party…finally got to try out the fabulous ‘orange’ drink…its a “Spritz” made of Aperol, Prosecco and Soda water and i love it!!!
Lucca and Pisa….
18 May 2013 1 Comment
Travelled by regional train through very productive countryside to the walled city of Lucca. The group has 2 apartments here and I’m sharing with our leader Catharina. Lots of space and can do a bit of self catering, although on our arrival we had the most beautiful pasta made from chestnut flour with porcini mushrooms, ricotta and the sweetest little tomatoes ever. Due to rainy weather we had a free morning to explore before a 20 minute train ride down to Pisa for the leaning Tower and Duomo of course. We had a group dinner party in our apartment with salamis and proscuittos and other meats plus cheeses, breads, tomatoes and olives, not to mention vino rosso and Lucca’s own version of limoncello called “limoncino”. Lucca panforte for dessert!.
Florence…
15 May 2013 1 Comment
Took a train from Rome to Florence through beautiful , green countryside with amazing hilltop villages, for an hour and a half. Had an ‘orientation’ and a great dinner at an Osteria with lots of italian food and red wine. Our group Leader Catharina is at the end of the table, then paula, Fiona, Natalie, Cameron and Calum.
Intrepid tour…Rome…
15 May 2013 2 Comments
Met “Team Intrepid 3” at our Rome hotel and had a nice dinner of Spaghetti Carbonara and vino rosso…my room is like a corridor!!! Walked to the Spanish steps, Trevi fountain, The Pantheon and Palazza Venezia where Callum and I got a bus to Vatican City. We marvelled at St Peters square and the Basilica and squeezed in a quick tour of the Vatican museum and Sistine Chapel with its famous paintings by Michelangelo. Just so much to take in…incredible…Pasta again for lunch at La Famiglia before heading to Florence by train.
Rome…
12 May 2013 Leave a comment
Walked from piazza Venezia past the Roman Forum remains to the Colosseum. Being a Sunday it was busy but mainly with a kids volleyball tournament taking up a whole street! All quite spectacular. Continued on through Palatine hill and came to Circo Massimo (circus maximus) where all the grand outdoor events were held. Caught a yellow bus and did a circuit of all major sites. Vatican city area was packed so just looked from the comfort of my seat! Croosed the River Tiber near the island back to the old quarter Trasteverse! 
Rome…
11 May 2013 1 Comment
in Culture, Environment, Time
Getting into the Italian vibe…trying to use some language, walking the streets where the ‘ordinary’ people live, enjoying the apartment for some rest and relaxation making endless cups of tea and my own coffee to get enough..they serve such tiny cups! Cooking my own food and getting stuck into yoghurt and fruit …basics of home you just can’t get everywhere. Feeling a bit nostalgic for home so cracked open the vegemite to have on fresh Italian Pane. Better do some more sightseeing tomorrow! Trevi fountain was incredible…so not what i imagined it to be like.
pinkbirdflies 