Hello! We have made it to Florence. 2 trains and some walking and here we are. We are staying right near the Arno River and saw the Ponte Vecchio - amazing!! We stopped by the Duomo - mobbed and walked through the market. I'm exhausted! Off to dinner in a few minutes!
What a contrast to Cinque Terre - but both rich with history and very friendly people! Tomorrow we are going to see Michelangelo and then on a picnic!! Quite warm here so I definitely packed correctly. I will post more pics tomorrow!
Our hotel is quite interesting by the way. We have 3 private rooms all on the same floor and that is all that is on this floor. So it is somewhat like an apartment. And for those of you that know me well I was happy to find the BBC on the television- first thing that came on was Tom Brady's record breaking performance!!
Bye for now.


- Posted using BlogPress using Paddie

Location:Off to Florence

On the boat

Quote of the day: "it will lay down". The plan for the day was to boat along the shore from 11:00 to 2:00 but it was a bit choppy (not for our MEN but for me). Jack assured us at would lay down. So we rescheduled for 1:00 to 4:00. Still the promises from 11-1 that it will lay down. At 1:00 it was decided to go with a lot of doubt on my part. But go we did. We had a great time and went snorkeling and swimming. But uh oh - when I reembarked the wave of nausea hit me. So I asked to please be let off at the next village. And off I went. Everyone else continued on the boat and I took the train! Perfect solution :). It turned into a perfect day for all. Here are some pics that are from yesterday's hike and today's boat.

More hiking!!!

Another day of hiking!! My calves are screaming but it was well worth it. The "boys" and I set out bright and early and hiked to the next village. We hiked straight up to catch the most beautiful views including a nude beach! Then it was off to the beach (no not the nude one!) and a touch of the Mediterranean! Still hard to believe we are in Cinque Terre!!
Tomorrow we are going snorkeling and then to do some shopping before packing up for the next step of our journey.......Florence!





Arriving in Vernazza on foot!

by the way.....LOVE pesto!!!!!!

Miss you all
xxoo
Lisa

Hiking hiking and more hiking!!

Cinque Terre has 5 villages that are connected by a variety of trails. Today we hit the hardest one that took us 90 minutes to complete. Straight up and straight down. Rocky, narrow, and so fun!! Anita had shoe problems so the Inces and Fullers tackled the wilderness!! Then we passed out on the beach!!














Posted using BlogPress using Paddie

Riomaggiorre

Hello everyone!
We are here, hiking the Cinque Terre and it is everything I thought it would be and more! Very limited Internet so I will post when I can.
It took nearly 12 hours to reach out destination but I can already say it was worth it!!


This is a view from the trattoria where we are having unbelievable pasta with pesto. Next we will hike to the next village, Manarola. Each village is different from the next - I can't imagine anything more beautiful!!

Almost time!!

Well things were going really well until I tried to upload a blog with a picture from my iPad (fondly known as Paddie). Turns out you need "an app for that". HUGS to my nephew Michael for yanking me off the ceiling and finding the perfect solution (it helps to have someone on the inside at Google!)
So. Let's give this a try....OH t-minus 5 hours....t'storms all over the area. But I think we are all packed and ready to go!!


- Posted using BlogPress using Paddie

An Invitation

Hello!
I plan on keeping a blog while we are in Italy. I thought you might like to see my posts! Please write back to let me know if I should include you!
Lisa/Mom/Meema