Cinque Terre, We Love You!

 we arrived in cinque terre by train and what a beautiful train ride it was. i have to say we loved training from city to city. it was so easy & efficient and such a great way to see the country side of italy. 

 cinque terre is exactly what jeff and i needed. after traveling for about three weeks, in and out of airports and foreign countries, we were in need of some serious relaxation. the main goal for the next two days was to do absolutely nothing but relax on those warm mediterranean beaches!
 (do nothing except...
lay on the beach and stuff our faces with pasta and gelato, of course!) 

^^ because pesto and focaccia bread originated here, 

it was only fitting to combine the two for our first meal. 

mmm, so good! ^^

we stayed in the charming town of vernazza.

cinque terre is made up of five small towns.

in order to get to the beaches of Monterosso, one of the five towns, we took a fun 10 minute boat ride!

^^ look at that bright blue water. ^^

^^ melon gelato, hit the spot every time. ^^

^^ i secretly took this shot of jeffrey, with my zoom lens, on the back of the boat. 

he had no idea.

i couldn't resist, he's too cute! :)

below are some beautiful views from our bed and breakfast.

^^ breathtaking!! ^^

we took a short fifteen minute hike out of vernazza to get this view.

it was worth every step. there is no better view in my mind!

i counted and we walked up and down 182 steps every time we went to our room.

pesto pasta!

our second day in cinque terre was filled with more beach time, more pasta & gelato and exploring the other four towns by boat! 

^^ i loved this scene as we were leaving the dock. ^^

^^cornelia^^

^^riomaggiore^^

we couldn't get enough of these bright colored little towns.
the locals were incredibly charming and the food was perfection.
cinque terre is a must see, and it exceeded our expectations in every way!

When in Rome.

we made it to rome!

the first stop in our week tour of italy.

after roughing it in africa for a few weeks, 

we were beyond excited to enjoy first world amenities and amazing italian food.

both of us had never been to italy before,

so we were taking it all in for the first time together.

shortly after checking into our bed and breakfast we ventured out for dinner.

there was a quaint restaurant directly underneath our b&b.

we were starving, after a long flight, and devoured our meal.

the bruschetta was to die for!

^^ this sweet italian man was the owner of the restaurant. ^^

after dinner we took a long stroll through the streets of rome.

what an incredible city!

we ended up at the spanish steps.

the next morning we walked to the one and only, colosseum. 

i loved looking up and seeing cute little italians watching below.

and rome had the smallest cars we've ever seen.

while walking through the roman forum, jeffrey got a refreshing drink from the natural aqueduct. 

capitol hill.

st. marks basilica is the most beautiful building we've ever been in.

we were in awe while walking through it.

i love the guards get up! 

so intimidating. :)

we also spent some time in the sistine chapel.

the famous ceiling michelangelo painted was absolutely stunning. 

we spent over an hour enjoying his masterpiece. 

^^ jeffrey's favorite gelato was at old bridge near the vatican city! ^^

walking the streets of the pantheon were unreal.

i could spend a whole week just wandering those beautiful streets.

^^ best pasta i've EVER had at da francesco. ^^

 i think about this meal and my mouth involuntarily starts watering! 

we threw our coins in the trevi fountain to ensure our return to rome!

i hope it works. :) 

we had the most magical two days in rome.