Our Driving Trio returned the car to Florence Airport then travelled on to Pisa for the required photos with the Tower. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is actually one of several buildings that make up the cathedral of Pisa. It is the Bell Tower or campanile. The dodgy foundations prepared meant the tower we destined to lean almost as soon as was built in 1173. Many different techniques have been tried and tested to stop the tower toppling over. The final solution to prevent its collapse was to slightly straighten the tower to a safe angle, by removing 38 m3 of soil from underneath the raised end.
Despite policemen yelling at us (along with about 100 others standing with arms outstretched) to "GET OFF THE GRASS", we managed some great shots.
A short train journey from Pisa brought us to the peaceful haven of the Cinque Terre, five tranquil villages along the coast of Liguria in North Western Italy. They include Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. 
We found our B&B in Riomaggiore after passing through a covered walk decorated with mosaic murals and climbing about 200 steps up through the small lanes (one or two people wide). 
After this exhausting climb (we were carrying packs remember), we treated ourselves to 3 days of lying on the beach, eating the local seafood, sometimes walking the paths and catching up on some diary writing.
Cars are restricted within the villages but there are several modes of transport between. Trains run frequently via tunnels in the cliffs, boats shuttle people around the points and the walking tracks are world famous. The most famous path is Via Dell'Amore (Lover's Lane) which runs between Riomaggiore and Manarola.
The Cinque Terre was like a different world to the other busy Italian cities we'd been privileged to see. We reflected on the simple things in life, felt relaxed and rejuvenated and wondered if we wanted to spread the secret of this place. It seems to be lower in the list of 'must see's in Italy and the only explanation that we could come up with was others kept the secret too. It was a fitting place to say "Goodbye for now" to Italy. 
Despite policemen yelling at us (along with about 100 others standing with arms outstretched) to "GET OFF THE GRASS", we managed some great shots.
A short train journey from Pisa brought us to the peaceful haven of the Cinque Terre, five tranquil villages along the coast of Liguria in North Western Italy. They include Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. 
We found our B&B in Riomaggiore after passing through a covered walk decorated with mosaic murals and climbing about 200 steps up through the small lanes (one or two people wide). 
After this exhausting climb (we were carrying packs remember), we treated ourselves to 3 days of lying on the beach, eating the local seafood, sometimes walking the paths and catching up on some diary writing.
Cars are restricted within the villages but there are several modes of transport between. Trains run frequently via tunnels in the cliffs, boats shuttle people around the points and the walking tracks are world famous. The most famous path is Via Dell'Amore (Lover's Lane) which runs between Riomaggiore and Manarola.
The Cinque Terre was like a different world to the other busy Italian cities we'd been privileged to see. We reflected on the simple things in life, felt relaxed and rejuvenated and wondered if we wanted to spread the secret of this place. It seems to be lower in the list of 'must see's in Italy and the only explanation that we could come up with was others kept the secret too. It was a fitting place to say "Goodbye for now" to Italy. 
No comments:
Post a Comment