Vernazza, my favourite seaside village anywhere!

I am in Vernazza, one of the five villages of the Cinque Terre on the west coast of Italy. I have been here before, loved it then and still love it!  One day I will come here for at least a week, longer if I can manage it, and just hang out!  The food is good, the accommodation is good, the views are lovely and the people, inspite of all the tourists are welcoming!

I am staying at the quiet end of town which suits me; no trouble sleeping here!  My room is lovely; I am staying at Camere Fontanavecchia. Just up the lane as you head out of town is my favourite cafe, Il Pirata delle 5 Terre, which is run by two Sicilan brothers who make the most wonderful pastries for breakfast and serve fresh fruit slushies, such as fresh strawberry and fresh peach. Divine!

Last night I sat near a Canadian couple who turned out to be teachers and we shared a fantastic conversation. Today I wrote out the postcards for which my English Studies class are waiting anxiously (apparently – I got a ‘hurry up and send them’ email from Sarah this week), sat on the beach and read for a while, had a bit of a nap, ate fish and chips as I watched the sun set, and generally relaxed.  I am sunburned and well-fed and not really looking forward to leaving tomorrow!

I am taking the train to Bergamo tomorrow morning, and will be flying to Luton in the UK on Sunday morning.  I will pick up my hire car and drive to Nottingham where I will be stayng with Hilary and Keith, some teacher friends of mine. While it is sad to be leaving Italy, I am looking forward to company and conversations in English with people I have known for more than 30 minutes!