Italy
We rode in a sleeper cabin over night to Venice. The door wouldn’t lock and we were afraid to keep trying to lock it because we were afraid it wouldn’t unlock. Besides, we’d be safe…right?
After a long day of hiking, traveling, Tylenol PM’s, and the hypnotizing sound with rhythmic motion of the train, we were out like a light in seconds. Someone broke into our cabin overnight and stole our stuff. Backpacks, Ipad (with my photos on it to this point), passport, money belt with money in it. A lot of money in it. We reported it to the employees on the train. Apparently, that had happened to a lot of people, yet nothing they could do.
When we arrived in Venice, we went to the police station and all 3 of us filed a police report. They were not that friendly. So far, Italy wasn’t going so great.
We walked around looking for the apartment we rented. It was a good size apartment with kitchen set up, A/C, washer/dryer. Quite a good distance away but we couldn’t wait to get there and decompress. When we found it, it was half way down an alley with graffiti all over and the entrance was off the alley way. Not exactly the way it was portrayed to us. After what we had just been through, we were kind of scared.
The A/C turned out to be ‘leave the window open’ and the dryer turned out to mean ‘hang your wash on clothesline out of said window’. Other than that, it actually was a nice apartment and it was quite common to hang your clothes out the window to dry. I know millions of people turn out to have a wonderful experience in Italy. We just happened to be 3 in a million that didn’t. In all fairness to Italy, we just had a bad start and thankfully it got better.
After a day or two we forced ourselves to make the best of it and count down until we headed for Cinque Terre.
Venice
Saint Mark’s Basilica
The buildings of Venice are constructed on closely spaced wooden piles. Most of these piles are still intact after centuries of submersion. The foundations rest on plates of Istrian limestone placed on top of the piles, and buildings of brick or stone sit above these footings.(12)
Rialto Bridge
Left picture – The Bridge of Sighs. The enclosed bridge is made of white limestone, has windows with stone bars, passes over the Rio di Palazzo, and connects the New Prison to the interrogation rooms in the Doge’s Palace. It was built in 1600. It’s been said that it got its name from the prisoners sighing as they walked across the bridge to the prison.
Lion at St. Marks Basilica standing guard
Winged Lion of St. Mark’s Basilica
Lido di Venezia
The Lido di Venezia–or simply the “Lido,” is a barrier island that separates the Venetian Lagoon from the Adriatic Sea. By vaporetto or public water bus, it’s only a few minutes from Venice’s historic center, which makes it popular as a suburb of Venice.
We found this a great escape from the crowds of Venice. They have beautiful homes, hotels, and beaches. We really enjoyed this place.
Beautiful homes
Check out this sunset! WOW!
Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre is a string of centuries-old seaside villages on the rugged Italian Riviera coastline. Each of the 5 towns have colorful houses and vineyards that cling to steep terraces and harbors are filled with fishing boats. The Sentiero Azzurro cliffside hiking trail links the villages. The Sentiero Azzurro is ranked as one of the best hikes in Europe and in the world.
This little cluster of towns was truly magnificent. The age-old array of pastel colored vertical buildings decorated with deep colors of green shrubbery and trees; the aromatic scents of fresh Italian food as you stroll down the streets; the friendly sounds of locals passionately talking to other locals with their strong Italian accents; cats napping in the boats stored on the square for safe keeping; the sounds of the waves crashing against the shore; and the enjoyable hiking trail with beautiful views of the town, cliffs, and sea.
Vernazza – The towns people would bring their boats up in the center square and walkways to keep them safe from the rough sea.
The first records indicating Vernazza as a fortified town date back to the year 1080.(13)
Below – are some examples of the waves crashing against the shoreline. One night we were eating dinner at a restaurant off the edge of the water. The window was open and the waves were so high, the tide splashed into the restaurant and soaked some people.
Monterosso al Mare buildings
Top picture – Harbor of Monterosso al Mare.
Left picture – In the center of the old village of Monterosso al Mare, is the striped 13th-century church of San Giovanni Battista, with a gothic facade of light and dark marble. Its belltower was originally part of Monterosso’s defense system, used as a watch tower.
Bottom pictures – Hiking the trail between Monterosso and Vernazza. It’s the longest, most difficult trail with lots of stairs and narrow passages. But well worth it.
The views of Vernazza from the trail
Top picture – a more forgiving path.
Top right – shows how narrow the trail became at certain points. During those times, you really hoped no one else was coming from the opposite direction. It’s a long way down!
Magnificent views from higher up.
This is a main road in Vernazza. Shortly after we left, there was a devastating flood and there are pictures where the mud has reached the top of the Salumi e Formaggi sign. You should check it out. It’s unbelievable.
Quaint narrow pathway between apartments
Church of Santa Margarita d’Antiochia –
The church, which is located on the main square of Vernazza, was constructed in 1318 in Ligurian Gothic style. The belltower is 40 meters (131 feet) high and has an octagonal shape.
I was in awe of this entryway. Such beauty with the old stone stairs and walkway, ancient building that has survived time, old pastel Italian colors, being complimented by the deep variations of the greenery.
The sun setting over the town square of Vernazza
This trip was taken in 2011. We found Cinque Terra, more specifically Vernazza, since that’s where we spent most of our time, very charming. We loved the food, the hikes, wondering around siteseeing, listening to the locals carrying on with other locals with their Italian accents and comraudery.
Unfortunately, just a few weeks after we left, they had a major flood that affected Monterosso and especially Vernazza. It amounted to millions of dollars in damage and 13 people killed.
For additional information, you can visit incinqueterra.com and see the devastating photos and video.
And then, Eureka!!! We were notified by an Austrian Inspector that they caught the guy who stole our stuff. They were able to get my email address off of my iPad and sent me an email. (Luckily, my daughter was monitoring my email and called us).
The couple, Maria and Giacomo Capellina, who owned the hotel where we were staying in Vernazza, were so gracious and happy for us. They had a vineyard in Manarola and made their own wine. They popped open a bottle of their special wine and shared it with us in celebration.
Now instead of going to the Amalfi Coast, we headed back to Salzburg. Thankfully, we got everything back except the money. This guy had ripped off a bunch of people on the train and they said he made this his career. They work quick in Austria as the Inspector told us the thief had already been placed in prison at the time of our arrival.