Italian Riviera

For the past three days we enjoyed la dolce vita of the Ligurian Sea towns. We made Santa Margherita Ligure our home base and traveled both north and south.

S. Margherita L. is a magically quaint town with details painted onto each building. It has a small harbor and a large church. The streets are paved with sea pebbles (laid out into patterns) and every small dog is well behaved. Kona would love it here! (although likely would not sit quite as quietly as the other dogs during sunday morning brunch in the center of town).

We started each day with a cappuccino and fresh buttery foccacia bread (a specialty in this region). But not to worry Rachel, we walked our tushies off! I honestly don't know if my tootsies will make it all 30 days. But I suppose if this is the most of my worries...

One day we hiked through Cinque Terre; a stretch of coast with five picturesque towns. The hike was rigorous and whine inducing but sooooo worth it! Every peak after a 500 step series gave way to perfect coastal views. We trained back to our favorite town, Vernazza, and ate pasta vongule and penne al pesto at the top of the local castle. Apparently the terrain is perfect for growing basil and pesto is another regional specialty.

The next day we walked from S. Margherita L. to Portofino. More amazing views of green lush hills meeting the blue blue sea.

All in all, italian riviera : 2 BIG thumbs up!!

We are currently training our way into Siena with a quick tourist stop in Pisa. We are looking forward to art and wine in Tuscany!

Ciao,
Elyse & Vince
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We've arrived!

Boungiorno Italia!
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I fell into a farmers market shopper's heaven.

All my farmers market people - you ain't seen nothing until you've shopped in the south of France. We accidentally stumbled across Aix en Provence's (what I assume is their daily) open air market early this morning. So we pulled up front row seats (at a sidewalk cafe), ordered a café crème and croissants and watched the market unfold.

There were strawberries, asparagus, cheese, spices, beets, peppers, lettuce, tomatoes, olives, lavender soaps, radishes, fish, peaches, honey, etc etc.

We bought the following :
French strawberries that smelled of perfection
Fluffy - yet crisp - green butter lettuce
A deep red (almost maroon) pepper
Salty Greek marinated olives
A bright red tomato
And, the piece de resistance...




MARINATED GARLIC MADE BY GOD, HIMSELF.



It was all so yummy. The strawberries melted in your mouth and the red pepper was juicier than most pears I've eaten. But the garlic was just heavenly.


* happy sighs *
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Eiffel tower - check.

After an exceptionally long flight, Vince and I arrived in Paris at 10 am local time. We made it, with ease, to our Rick Steve's recommended hotel. It was perfectly parisian! And just out the front door seemed almost fake; a disneyland version of Paris. White shutters and lavender filled window boxes. Old, young and in between lingering over salade printemps and glasses of vin in sidewalk cafes.

All we could think to do was order two baguettes and this made us very happy.

After this we went for a long sauntering walk along the seine river towards the eiffel tower at sunset. Très romantique! Followed by an amazing dinner (eggplant ravioli and spring salad with warmed goat cheese and bread, of course), a glass of côtes du rhone wine and another walk, this time down the Champs Èlyseè.

Paris, in my opinion, is a very unique city and I appreciate all of it's feminine details.

Lastly, this morning we had a cafe crème and a pain au chocolat. Oh, and another baguette...


We are currently sitting on the train heading south to Marseille. The french countryside is quite beautiful: rolling green hills, patches of bright yellow mustard blooms, an occasional cow and dabbled with country homes.


We are thinking of staying in Aix en Provence. But then maybe we'll just go straight through to Portofino. Suggestions?

Ciao for now.
E&V

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Bonjour Paris!

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2.5 hrs later...

We've been sitting on this plane on the runway in a thunderstorm for nearly 3 hrs. While you've been charming Charlotte - I'm ready for paris.
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Humble beginnings

756 pm - el segundo, Los Angeles.

Mom & Dad Homel lovingly bid adieu and now we are sitting in our cramped motel room. While waiting for greater (european) adventures to come, we overdose on vitamin c.

Additionally, Vince has just realized that we are leaving for a whole month and is practicing his mantra, "keep cool".

The next blog will surely be more interesting.

Ciao
E & V
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