Hiking the Cinque Terre

The Cinque Terre is one of Italy's beautiful, coastal gems. We were lucky enough to spend three days in the national park hiking along the coastal cliffs and sunbathing on almost-private beaches. The weather was beautiful and the flowers were in full bloom; I don't think it could have been any prettier.

The first morning we hiked between four of the towns and ended up at the Lemon Festival in Monterosso. We started the day in Manarola, the second town. From here we took the flat, 45 minute hike and killer switch-back stairs to Corniglia.After exploring the town of Corniglia, we headed out on the hour and half walk to Vernazza. The views coming up on Vernazza are breathtaking and make you want to pick-up and move the Cinque Terre.
We grab slices of pizza and enjoyed a harbor side picnic. After lunch, we started the up and down and up and down hike to Monterosso, the last of the five towns. Just before arriving in town we bought lemons from terrace farmer; you would never believe how sweet and delicious a lemon can be after a long hike. The Lemon Festival was in full swing when we arrived into town a few moments later.After enjoying some lemoncello, fresh-squeezed lemonade, and sweet lemons, we spent the afternoon sunning on the rocks just off the beach.
We ended the day by taking the Via Dell'Amore stroll from Manarola to Riomaggiore to watch the sun set over the Ligurian Sea. We climbed down off the path and watch the sunset from some rocks in the water.

And, of course, you can find more pictures of this beautiful place here.

Cliffs of Moher

After dropping our stuff at our B&B in Doolin, we headed to the Cliffs of Moher for some hiking. We planned to hike the 6 km route from the visitors' center, around Hag's Head, and back.We parked the car at the visitors' center, walked past the Gatlinburg-type gift shops and out to the edge of the cliff and its dramatic scenery. After snapping a few photos, we headed towards the path along the cliffs. Just past the nice paved, rail enforce view point there was a sign warning of danger and prohibiting entry to the path. (Too many people have been plummeting over the edge lately, it seems.) But we could see the path and there were many people on it. Plus, the guidebooks all talk about the path. "No big deal," I thought, and we climbed over the barricade.

Did I mention cliffs? Well, the cliffs rise up 214 meters (702 feet) off the Atlantic Ocean. Have I told you about my irrational, paralyzing fear of heights? If not, you should ask my mother about climbing lighthouses in Savannah.

I took about a dozen steps on the path and froze. I couldn't go any farther. Images of me soaring over the edge were playing like a broken record in my head. I turned around to go back. And I couldn't move. I literally had to crawl back past the barricade.

Needless to say, we didn't complete the hike. But we did get some lovely pictures of the view.

You can find more pictures of the cliffs here.