Ciao Italy

So my next adventure has begun!  Those of you who follow me on Instagram have been hearing me drop hints about jetting back to Italy, and now I’m here!  But where in Italy, you might be wondering?  Well, currently I am on a train on my way from Milan to Cinque Terre, and it is already so breathtaking.  My voyage has been very long to get to this point, but already it has been completely worth it.

This is my first time visiting this part of Italy, and I am really looking forward to soaking up every bit of it.  But I am thinking that today’s plan will be pretty low key, since I am feeling pretty jetlagged.  I’m thinking that I will check into my hotel for the night, go for a passeggiata (the Italian word for a stroll, which typically takes place after dinner, but I most likely will be too tired at that point), peek around the town I am staying in (Monterosso al Mare), get my ticket to hike tomorrow, grab an amazing bowl of pasta or fresh seafood somewhere and then head home for some much needed sleep.

my first view coming out of the train station

After checking into my adorable room at Pietre di Mare, where I had been invited to stay for the night, the very kind Moreno made sure that everything was to my liking.

     

After getting settled, and then heading outside, I actually got a bit of a pep in my step.  I walked around Monterosso, which is a very adorable little seaside town.  It actually reminds me a lot of the feeling that I got in Capri and Positano, just without all of the craziness of the tourists.

On my walk I happened to notice a bunch of local men feasting on gelati, and it really seemed like perfect timing since I was getting a little bit hungry.  There’s always something special about getting that first gelato in Italy…it really sets the pace for the whole trip.  I opted for my favorites, fragola (strawberry) and limone (lemon).  While both were delicious, the lemon blew me out of the water with its creaminess.

Continuing on with my stroll, I decided to pass by a dinner option for tonight and look at the menu.  But just before the main restaurant that I was interested in, they have a sort of bar set-up hanging off the side of the cliff, with just a drink menu, La Tortuga.  With the sun shining and the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks, I could not pass up the opportunity to stop and enjoy the view.

  

The waiter brought me a glass of the local wine and a bowl of strawberries.  How cute is that?!?

Then a few minutes later, some local caperberries and spinach and pesto frittata bites.  I was in heaven.

my view

Then a few more minutes passed, and the pièce de résistance…a bowl of fried dough!  I have just found my aperitivo heaven.  All for 5 euros!  As I was leaving I noticed that each table received different tastes, some were even getting fried seafood!  (You know where I’ll be tomorrow!)

Since the drink and snacks were such a hit, I stopped by the restaurant, L’Ancora della Tortuga and made a reservation for tonight.  After a quick change at home (brrr…it’s cold at night here), I headed out for dinner.  I have a mental list going of the things that I need to try that are specialties of the region, so I made a point to order accordingly tonight.

my table

I started with the mixed anchovies.  Now normally I would never ever order this, but when in Monterosso!  The plate came with local anchovies marinated in local lemon juice (my favorite), anchovies that are salted and put on toast with butter, and anchovies that are stuffed with spinach and breadcrumbs.  I can’t really believe that I am saying this, but I love anchovies!  These babies were not super salty or briny, they were mild and flaky, and tender and juicy.  Yum!

For dinner, I ordered a half portion (yes, this is a half portion) of the Trofie di Monterosso.  A handmade local pasta with swordfish, tomatoes, olives and herbs in a light sauce.  This was totally different – I am used to the more traditional pesto, but this was delicious.  It definitely tasted fresh from the sea.

my beautiful dinner views

Although I had a great dinner, in the future I would just plan to go to La Tortuga for some drinks and the snacks, and then go and get a gelato.  But either way, although quite jetlagged, I am feeling so relaxed and blessed to be in this beautiful place.

goodnight Monterosso

–

Pietre di Mare invited me for a complimentary stay, however no financial compensation was received.  All opinions expressed and shared here are my own, and are an honest account of my experience.