vernazza

1080p from Jodi Anderson on Vimeo.

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i know we went to italy almost a year ago!  but i really want to finish these videos on put them on a dvd.  after rome we left for vernazza.  vernazza is part of the cinque terre, 5 cities along the italian coast,  it is the most beautiful place.  the only way to get to each town is by train, boat or hike.  they have hiking trails in between each town.  in most towns there are no cars.  the towns are built on hills so they have stairs to get everywhere.  the october before we went to visit, the cinque terre had horrible mudslides.  so some towns were under repair and not all the hiking trails were open.  but it was still so wonderful!  we stayed in vernazza (that was rick steves' recommendation).  our hotel over looked the ocean.  the room was all white and absolutely beautiful.  this was the perfect place to end our italy trip.  it was so relaxing.  we ate at places that over looked the ocean, we hiked to monterosso (about an hour and forty-five minute hike each way, half of it was uphill), relaxed on the beach and had the best gelato ever!  then we hiked back to vernazza and took a nap with the windows wide open.  then we went back out to vernazza for the night life and dinner in the piazza.  where ever you go for dinner you feel like family.  most italians know english and they love to talk to you.  it was so fun to meet so many wonderful people.  the next day we shopped in the morning and bought some vernazza pesto (which they are famous for) and then headed off to the airport for paris!

looking at these pictures makes me want to go back so badly!  when people ask what my favorite city in italy was, it is so hard for me to answer.  i feel like each city had its own charm and coolness to it.  i loved vernazza cause i was ready for a break from sightseeing.  the hike was so wonderful and just relaxing in a beautiful place is what we needed.  we will definitely go back to vernazza!