San Terenzo, Lerici, and Cinque Terre, Italy

I took the train down to Pisa International Airport to meet Rosa who arrived from Houston on July 3. Then we took the train back to Sarzana, where we got a taxi to Angela's apt. in San Terenzo. I got to show Rosa my former hangouts in San Terenzo and Lerici, when I lived in the area years ago. We enjoyed "la dolce vita" for the next few days: cappucini with brioche in cafes for breakfast, "la passeggiata" every evening along the sea, stopping for appertivi before dinner. Lunch and dinner in local restaurants, sometimes we shopped in the local supermarket and cooked in the apt.

We took the boat to Cinque Terre for the day (July 5th) and stopped at various towns. The views (and the food) were as amazing as I remembered them.

Noci, Italy: Market day

We went for breakfast in Noci, and checked out the farmer's market. Got some pizza for lunch on the road.

Checked out of the hotel and drove on to San Terenzo. Arrived in the evening. Angela and Debi will be driving to Brussels the next morning, while I'll stay in San Terenzo. My friend Rosa (one of my cruise buddies) will be arriving from Houston tomorrow to spend a week here.

Alberobello, Italy

After Matera, we drove to Alberobello a unique historic town in Italy. Walked around the town center and toured the "trulli", distinctive houses.

Lunch in the piazza, fantastic food.

Then it's off to Noci, to meet up with Cinzia and her husband who lived there. We checked in to a hotel for the night, and met for dinner at Pizze e Sfizi. We ordered a variety of appetizers, pasta and pizze to share. Again, amazing food at reasonable prices.

Matera, Italy

Brief notes with photos for now. Started our drive to San Terenzo, Angela's apt in 2 cars. Overnight in Matera, a stone city, pretty amazing place.

Stopped at fruit and vegetable stores to get some local produce.

We stayed in a hotel built into the stone walls. This is the view from our "balcony" and the inside of our room (three of us shared)

Walked to town center in the evening, there was a celebration of lights going on. Sat in the piazza for drinks, ordered my favorite limoncello fritz; Debi had the aperol fritz.

We all met up for dinner at a restaurant built in a stone cave. Fritto misto for appetizers; after dinner walked back to the hotel.