Vernazza: Beauty, Disaster and Recovery – Dolly Travels

Vernazza - Dolly Travels

Buongiorno, tutti,

We started our morning at the Il Pirata Bar at the top of the town. This restaurant has the best pastries; all are made on the premises. Their reputation has made this small place such a popular breakfast place, that one must get there early to get a table.

While we were enjoying our delicious pastries, we began talking with the couple who sat next to us. By the end of our breakfast we were best friends. We had such a good time with them. We discussed our plans for the day, and before we knew it, we had learned far more about each other than I know about my next door neighbors at home.

Soon, though, we all went our separate ways. I love the way that travel allows me to meet such interesting people as I go along.

The kids had their own plans for the day, so here I am, telling you about my day.

I am sitting at the Ananasso Bar again. Lest you think that I might do this too often, this bar sits right at the harbor’s edge. From here, I can look out at the little cove, where people are swimming. I can see the boats in the harbor and look beyond to the town of Monterosso. Over to my left and closer to the harbor is the good pizza restaurant that we visited yesterday. So, you see, my perch here, for the price of a drink, is perfect.

Today, I went for a walk up through town, past the Il Pirata Ristorante, where we had breakfast this morning. I walked up the road while following the little stream that starts somewhere up above, then flows down through the town. I remembered well, the deluge of October, 2011, where the rains came down so hard and for such a long time, that the mountains washed down into that stream, pushing homes, cars and anything in its path, into that stream, until the town was flooded with mud, debris up to the second story of the buildings.

Today, as I walked through the town, seven years after that disaster, I felt that the people of Vernazza have made a remarkable recovery. Although reconstruction is still going on in some areas: rock walls are being rebuilt, some facades of buildings still need to be repaired, life goes on as before.

As I sit here, watching the tourists, I wonder how many of them know the calamity that besieged the town those years before. I watch the people that work in the shops and the restaurants; I see them wait on the customers, and they are so kind, so patient. They are indeed lovely people.

Vernazza is one of the five villages in a unique area. During the day, the little town is filled with tourists. Many people come here to hike the trails between the villages. I honestly don’t know why the cruise ship passengers come here. When those cruise ships unload their tenders, the town is immediately flooded with up to five hundred extra people; more than the town can comfortable accommodate.

However, when evening comes; the town settles down and becomes an almost-quiet village. The people of Vernazza are resilient. They have rebuilt their town and life goes on in this little city as if the disaster never occurred.

My point in writing this blog post is to remind all of us, that no matter what life hands us, we have the choice to adapt, rebuild, and get on with things, or curl up and admit defeat. I want to pattern my life after the citizens of Vernazza: there is always light at the end of the tunnel, if I choose to follow it. Or I can let the small disasters get me down.

I am inspired by the people of the town of Vernazza.

Until next time,
Arrivederci,

Dolly

By Dolly – Full Story at Dolly Travels

Vernazza Gay Travel Resources

Vernazza – Disaster & Recovery – Dolly Travels

Buongiorno, tutti,

We started our morning at the Il Pirata Bar at the top of the town. This restaurant has the best pastries; all are made on the premises. Their reputation has made this small place such a popular breakfast place, that one must get there early to get a table.

While we were enjoying our delicious pastries, we began talking with the couple who sat next to us. By the end of our breakfast we were best friends – Lynda and Jake, from Toronto. We had such a good time with them. We discussed our plans for the day, and before we knew it, we had learned far more about each other than I know about my next door neighbors at home.

Soon, though, we all went our separate ways. I love the way that travel allows me to meet such interesting people as I go along.

The kids had their own plans for the day, so here I am, telling you about my day.

I am sitting at the Ananasso Bar again. Lest you think that I might do this too often, this bar sits right at the harbor’s edge. From here, I can look out at the little cove, where people are swimming. I can see the boats in the harbor and look beyond to the town of Monterosso. Over to my left and closer to the harbor is the good pizza restaurant that we visited yesterday. So, you see, my perch here, for the price of a drink, is perfect.

Today, I went for a walk up through town, past the Il Pirata Ristorante, where we had breakfast this morning. I walked up the road while following the little stream that starts somewhere up above, then flows down through the town. I remembered well, the deluge of October, 2011, where the rains came down so hard and for such a long time, that the mountains washed down into that stream, pushing homes, cars and anything in its path, into that stream, until the town was flooded with mud, debris up to the second story of the buildings.

Today, as I walked through the town, seven years after that disaster, I felt that the people of Vernazza have made a remarkable recovery. Although reconstruction is still going on in some areas: rock walls are being rebuilt, some facades of buildings still need to be repaired, life goes on as before.

As I sit here, watching the tourists, I wonder how many of them know the calamity that besieged the town those years before. I watch the people that work in the shops and the restaurants; I see them wait on the customers, and they are so kind, so patient. They are indeed lovely people.

Vernazza is one of the five villages in a unique area. During the day, the little town is filled with tourists. Many people come here to hike the trails between the villages. I honestly don’t know why the cruise ship passengers come here. When those cruise ships unload their tenders, the town is immediately flooded with up to five hundred extra people; more than the town can comfortable accommodate.

However, when evening comes; the town settles down and becomes an almost-quiet village. The people of Vernazza are resilient. They have rebuilt their town and life goes on in this little city as if the disaster never occurred.

My point in writing this blog post is to remind all of us, that no matter what life hands us, we have the choice to adapt, rebuild, and get on with things, or curl up and admit defeat. I want to pattern my life after the citizens of Vernazza: there is always light at the end of the tunnel, if I choose to follow it. Or I can let the small disasters get me down.

I am inspired by the people of the town of Vernazza.

Until next time,
Arrivederci,

Dolly

The Five Villages of the Cinque Terre – Keep Calm and Wander

Cinque Terre - Vernazza

The five fishing villages of the Cinque Terre are the jewels of the crown of Italian Riviera. For any person who has a knack for hiking atop iconic locations that offer an amalgam of views, visiting these jewels is a must. They still exhibit their unique and isolated authenticity just the way they did decades ago when these villages sheltered the Italian peasants and the fishermen.

It is this uniqueness, the unimaginable beauty along with a preserved historic vibe that brought me to these villages. But more than anything the breathtaking coastal or mountain trails had been calling out my name from the very moment I saw their pictures.

By the looks of these villages, one might think that they are essentially identical. However, it is only when you visit them that you get to know that each village has its own charm that would sweep you off your feet.

Starting from the easternmost village and ending on the westernmost, let me share how I found the places and which one owned my heart completely.

1. Riomaggiore

This one is the largest and the most scenic of all the villages. Its scenery begins to dance in full grandeur when the sun starts saying good-bye. The buildings are peculiar, that’s what I liked, and they descend down to the harbor almost as if they’d dive right into the water one by one. While this really gave me a completely new experience, what refreshed my weary nerves were the botanical garden and the bird sanctuary located atop the hill.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Liguria Gay Travel Resources

Corniglia, the Oldest Village in the Cinque Terre – Keep Calm and Wander

Corniglia

Corniglia is the oldest village in Cinque Terre that’s mentioned in Giovanni Bocaccio’s “Decameron.” It’s an Italian classic prose that contains 100 stories told by ten young people (7 women and 3 men) who gathered around in a hidden villa to escape Black Death that plagued the neighbouring city.

How to get (go up) there

Of the five beautiful villages in Cinque Terre, Corniglia is the one in the middle. Most day tour visitors would skip it because from the train station, they have to climb around 380 steps to get into the heart of the village. Though those steps are wide and well-kept, it’s a bad idea if you have arthritis or other medical conditions. So, for those with physical challenges, it’s better to take the bus outside the train station. If yon’t know which way, ask the guard at the information centre just when you get off. That will cost you 3 euros.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Liguria Gay Travel Resources

Climbing Vernazza – Keep Calm and Wander

Vernazza

Yes, you can hike all the five villages in Cinque Terre. If you’re able and have the stamina to hike, then, do it! It’s worth it. It takes a day of hiking across these villages. You’ve got to wear proper hiking gear and take note of the sweltering heat in summer. Bring a bottle of water which you can refill or buy when arriving in every village.

Another option: If you can’t all of them, choose two or three villages you want to hike. You can choose any village as your starting point to hike.

Most of the photos below are taken from hiking Vernazza to Corniglia route. It took me almost two hours because I had feet blisters but should be an hour on regular pacing hike.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Liguria Gay Travel Resources

Riomaggiore in Cinque Terre is Postcard Perfect – Keep Calm and Wander

Riomaggiore - Alain

Riomaggiore in Cinque Terre is your postcard perfect place in Italy. Cinque Terre is a protected national park which comprises of cinque (five) terre (villages). Riomaggiore is the first train stop if you start from La Spezia where most people stay. The other four villages are: Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso.

It is expensive to stay in any of the five villages mentioned above. And there are also very few choices. It’s even hard to find an affordable accommodation within your backpacking budget. So, I decided to stay at La Spezia, the nearest town where the five villages are under its care. Also, La Spezia’s Train Station is well-connected to many parts of Italy. I stayed at Grand Hostel Manin which I booked via Booking.com. You can also find other accommodations from HostelWorld, and Expedia.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Liguria Gay Travel Resources

The Cinque Terre – Keep Calm and Wander

Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is on the north western coast of Italy. This is, perhaps, the country’s version of the French Riviera in France. Cinque Terre is translated into “five lands.” These villages are: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Monterosso and Vernazza. They’re along the rugged coastlines of Italy where colourful houses are built on jagged cliffs. They view is jaw dropping anytime of the day but breathlessly stunning at golden hours. At night, when all the lights are on, the village becomes a romantic place to be.

It is expensive to stay in any of the five villages mentioned above. And there are also very few choices. It’s even hard to find an affordable accommodation within your backpacking budget. So, I’d advise you to stay at La Spezia, the nearest town where the five villages are under its care. Also, La Spezia’s Train Station is well-connected to many parts of Italy. I stayed at Grand Hostel Manin which I booked via Booking.com. You can also find other accommodations from HostelWorld, and Expedia.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Liguria Gay Travel Resources

Casa Carpe Diem a Villa Barca – Casanova Lerrone, Liguria, Italy

Casa Carpe Diem a Villa Barca Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay.

Villa Barca, a quintessential Italian countryside manor house built in the early 1800s, sits high above the romantic Lerrone Valley, nestled between the coastline of the Italian Riviera and the peaks of the mighty Ligurian Alps. At Casa Carpe Diem, the luxurious boutique B&B within Villa Barca, founded by the creators of the award-winning Carpe Diem Guesthouse in Provincetown, Massachusetts, every friend of the Italian way of life finds what he needs. Just 20 minutes by car are the sandy beaches of Alassio, one of Italy’s most mundane seaside resorts. The neighboring Lerrone Valley on the other hand offers all kinds of outdoor activities, from hiking treks over mountain biking to laid-back picknick hours at its various swimming holes. Even the more adventurous kind of tourist finds his kick nearby: Only a short drive away, in Finale Ligure, is one of Europe’s most popular free climbing territories and further northwest at the French-Italian border one can explore the areas most interesting mountaineer region.

See the Casa Carpe Diem a Villa Barca Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in Liguria

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