Traveling to Cinque Terre by Train

We took the train from Juan-les-Pins, France, changing once in Ventimiglia, Italy, a border town.  I had never been to this part of Italy before, partly because I'd rather go somewhere less crowded, and partly because I have no family in this area.  But my traveling companions wanted to go and I will always go (almost) anywhere at least once.  

The last seaside town in France before the border

 Mint green in Monterosso

 Typical mediocre tourist fare 

A step up: delicious fish carpaccio

Vernazza-the first town we arrived at on our hike

Lunch in Vernazza

My favorite church in all the five towns- this one in Corniglia

The trails from Vernazza to Corgniglia were closed so we had to take the train-the town is a big hike up from the station

Manarola

Popular diving cliff for tourists in Manarola

The sun started to set during our delicious dinner in Manarola

And continued during our final "hike" to Riomaggiore- the timing couldn't have been more perfect

Lover's walk to Riomaggiore; the easiest of the hikes in Cinque Terre

Locks

Messages to significant others

In the end, I was happy I visited Cinque Terre, but I probably would go somewhere else new next time.  Its natural beauty is definitely worth seeing firsthand, but there are so many other places in Italy that I feel more of a connection to, like the Campania region, where I still have relatives.  Cinque Terre is crowded for a reason, and unfortunately mass tourism can be both a blessing and a curse.  The news of last fall's flooding in Vernazza saddened me, as surely the unregulated crowds year after year have a role in the weakening of the hiking trails, yet the path closures are taking a hard toll on the local economy.  Tourism is everything to these five towns.  I urge you to check out Save Vernazza, a website dedicated to providing updates about the region as well as the ability to donate money towards the restoration of the town.  Rick Steves wrote a great article about an inspiring art event called A Rainbow of Solidarity for Vernazza.  On January 6, artists transformed Vernazza's boarded-up doors into beautiful works of art.  The colorful creations showcase solidarity and hope.  The people of Vernazza are strong-willed, proud, and working hard to make sure everything is open by Easter, the start of high season.  I have no doubts that they will succeed.  

Tunisia After the Revolution

Although it's been nearly three years since my last visit, I thought I would post pictures from my father's trip last summer, in conjunction with today being the one year anniversary of the revolution.

Taormina in Pictures

With the most recent eruption of Mt. Etna, I thought I would show some pictures of my favorite place in the world, the beautiful and relaxing cliff-side town of Taormina.  Both times I've stayed there, I had a view of Mt. Etna from the hotel and I can't imagine what that view must look like during an eruption.

The cable car, or funivia, from Mazzaro back up to Taormina

 Isola Bella from the beach

 

Isola Bella, the island formerly owned by Lady Florence Trevelyan and now a nature reserve owned by the Region of Sicily

 Greek Theatre

 Our "capitan" Ciccio, who took us around Giardini Naxos and Taormina for a tour of the grottoes, and gave us almond wine and melon for lunch.  

I actually took this picture in 2006 during my first visit to Taormina

One of the most beautiful piazzas I've seen, Piazza IX Aprile

Beautiful Mt. Etna from hotel balcony this past summer, 2011

Beach Day in Mondello

In the summertime, Palermitans escape the city heat and grit and head to the beach in Mondello.  You can access it easily by taking a direct bus (#806) from Piazza Sturzo in Palermo.  It's about a 30-minute ride, and you can get a nice glimpse of where Palermo's elite live by looking out the window at the beautiful houses on the way.  When you return to Palermo in the evening, be prepared to wiggle your way onto standing-room only buses.  Ours featured a lively group of pre-teens singing American pop songs at the top of their lungs.    

A visit to Mondello is a great lesson in the beach culture of Palermitans.  Because of its proximity to Palermo (it's basically a suburb), people visit the beach for the whole day, rather than an extended vacation.  This requires a lot of planning and preparation so that no detail is forgotten, and the visit is as pleasurable as possible.  Families bring huge coolers of food, comfy beach chairs, entertainment for children and adults alike. Women take advantage of the moving "bazaars" on the beach, trying on different dresses and jewelry, consulting with their boyfriends and husbands, and bargaining with the sellers until they score the latest addition to their wardrobe.

Along the roadside, there are many food shacks selling quick and easy beach food: pizzette, panelle, arancini, panini, granite, and the like.  Also, if nightlife is your scene, the club and bar hotspots move from Palermo to Mondello during the summer months.

Back in Palermo, space is limited, so hanging laundry outside the window is always an option

Sicilian liqueur in the window display