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Touring the Marble Quarries at Fantiscritti, Carrara, Italy
Everywhere we have been in this part of Liguria, we have been able to see the spectacular Apuan Alps in the distance, their bare stone rising up in jagged splendour behind the green hills and colourful towns. They appear to have snow nestling in some of their valleys and dips, but it is far too warm here for snow and so for a long time we wondered what it was. I was determined to get a closer look, so despite steep, narrow mountain roads with switchbacks and blind corners, we made the drive up towards Carrara. This was a girls only trip as Andy didn’t fancy this one and he…
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The Allure of Cinque Terre
For a long time, the name Cinque Terre has conjured up romantic images in my mind of a timeless Italian coastline. And I am not alone – it is often featured in magazines, on websites and in many a Sunday newspaper travel section. It is significant enough for the Lonely Planet to dedicate a whole section of its Italy travel guide to it. But what is it? And why do people flock here in droves? Cinque Terre (Five Lands) is actually five villages all strung out along a rugged stretch of Ligurian coastline, south of Genoa and north of Pisa. Here colourful houses cling impossibly to the cliffs and cascade…
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Remembering Loved Ones in Beautiful Liguria
It was magical standing on deck as the port and town of Genoa came into view: the sun just peeked through the clouds to cast an enchanting glow on the pastel coloured buildings and the excitement of a new country with all its tastes, smells, architecture and history ran through me and swelled my heart. And at that point, I understood a truth: I had enjoyed our time in Spain, but I really LOVE Italy! In 2014 we were lucky enough to spend a month touring this wonderful country and it was fabulous to be back! With romantic music playing in my head and dreams of delicious ice cream on…
