Cinque Terre Trail Photos- by Anne Lois

story and photos by Anne Lois

One of my favorite things that we have done on this trip is definitely hiking in Vernazza, Italy. When I get back home, it will be one of my favorite memories looking back on this amazing trip.  I absolutely loved seeing the green, blue, and orange colors as we ventured down the first part of the memorable hike.  Every once in awhile, we would pop around a corner hidden by trees and be shown an amazing view.  Cacti lined the edge of the steep rocky cliffs that led down to the blue water. As far as we could see there were endless grape vineyards and clumps of multi-color houses lining the ridges.  It was truly amazing to have the opportunity to see the clear blue waters and feel the cool crisp air.  From the first hike from village to village we stopped on the trail for ice cold granitas, lemonades, and fresh squeezed blood oranges. I really think that there was no better way to spend a day.

The Hunt for the Perfect Baguette

story and photos by Anne Lois

For each amazing dinner at the apartment, a baguette is on the top of our market list.  We usually get up each day ready to search for ingredients throughout the market. Somedays (like today), the man we like to call the "baguette man", wasn't around. So we headed off to find another bakery or rather a boulangerie.  Today we wanted something different to eat with dinner. We went looking for a new option.  As we walked down the windy streets we came across this little bakery with a wood burning oven inside.  We decided it looked great.  Each of us ordered a lunch that we could take back up to the apartment to eat too, and my mom ordered a beautiful baguette.  We paid and waved au revoir to the man running the bakery. We walked back towards our apartment, happy we had found another great place that we will definitely revisit.