Italian Riviera & Levanto

Tour Day 11 
Carrara & the Cinque Terra
8,418 Steps of Amazement

Today was about saying goodbye to Tuscany, and we headed into Liguria and the Italian Riviera. Along the way we made a visit to Carrara and the famed marble quarries. From a distance you can see the white mountain peaks, which looks more like snow than stone.  Not easily accessed high up in this mountain range, it is truly amazing that the famed white marble was resourced by Michelangelo and other Renaissance sculptors.

Switching gears, we boarded a boat to cruise along the Cinque Terre. Looking back at the Cinque Terre coast line it is totally amazing to see these villages wedged in crevices on the steep hillsides, and vineyards and olive groves extending beyond. The contrast of the colors between the waters of the Ligurian Sea and the vibrant Cinque Terre Villages in stunning. 

Tour Day 12 
Levanto & the Italian Riveria
16,303 Steps of Relaxation & Recreation

"A vacation from your vacation."  A day with no official group activities. Tricia offered to take any interest tour members on a hike to the neighboring village of Bonassola.  We joined the group and had a great time getting out on the trail. A few other tour members hiked south into the Cinque Terre villages, while others just relaxed and enjoyed the beach.  

We had another enjoyable dinner with Laura and Tom. Good company, good atomsphere and good drink and food!   As sunset approached we, and  many of our other tour members, found ourselves  strolling the beachfront and together  we all enjoyed a fabulous Italian Riviera sunset!