A Little Slice of Heaven

Okay, I’m going to do it.  I’m going to complain about the weather.  I’m sorry, but it sucks right now here in the PNW- and I’m grumpy.   It’s supposed to be summer, and I’m sitting in my office with the heater on, a cup of tea, and an incredible urge to bake something with pumpkin in it. (too early for christmas music?)  I know the rest of the world is suffering in extreme heat, so maybe I should be thankful for the cool and overcast days we are having…

That doesn’t change the fact that I’m in desperate need of some Vitamin D, so I’ve decided to post some of my Cinque Terre photos from our trip in May in hopes of satisfying that depleted part of me that needs sun.

This region is officially my favorite spot on earth, not because it’s the birthplace of pesto and foccacia or the makers of all things lemon (well, maybe that is part of it), it’s the totally unique and breathtaking beauty of it ALL. It’s a little slice of heaven on a remote part of the Italian Riviera that conjures up memories of tiny gelato colored houses balancing on hilltops, old men peering through their windows down at the square at sunset, church bells chiming on the hour, turquoise water as far as the eye can see, birds soaring over the town square,  wine on the breakwater,  sunburnt europeans in speedos, hikes on dusty trails lined with grape vines, scrappy cats soaking in the sun, and tiny glasses of delicious limoncino…

Aaahhhhhhhhhh.  Okay, I feel a little better.

You can download the last photo on this post by clicking HERE. (appropriatley named “I left my heart in the Cinque Terre.”)  I’ve sized it for you to use as a screensaver.  I’ve never offered a download before, so I know it will look good if you have a mac with a 1920×1200 screen, and probably just okay if you have some other kind of computer.  (sorry PC users, I just don’t get you) Please be nice and only use it on your desktop and don’t copy,steal, etc…

*A few of these will eventually end up in my print shop, but probably not until the busy wedding season is over.  If you see something that you need a print of, shoot me an email and I’ll put it up in the shop asap.

*download this photo HERE for your desktop*

Cinque Terre translates to “Five Lands.”  Each town is connected by a hiking trail that weaves in and out of the surrounding mountains.  If you are feeling lazy you can take a quick train that connects each village, but most of the fun is on the trail where you can see how each town is nestled into the mountains.  Cars are not allowed in the villages (except for some parts of Monterosso), which only seems to make the place more magical.  We visited each town, but I think Vernazza (where we stayed 4 nights) was my favorite.  Rick Steves has a pretty good write-up on the area, and his suggestions were pretty spot on.  Check it out HERE.