After completing our phenomenal 3 days in Switzerland we decided to drive through Como. There is no way you can compare Lake Lugano with Lake Como. Lake Lugano was clean and just beautiful where as Lake Como was dirty and not so interesting. We were trying to find George Cloony as he did promise us a catch up with Nespresso, but he did not turn up...he he he :). He was apparently BUSY :).

La Spezia was our next 3 day destination. Our apartment is in the heart of the city. Parking a car, wow “where do we go?” We said. After sending the owner the email, we met, found a “FREE” carpark (believe it or not!) and finally settled into our little room. By this time we were very hungry so we hit the main food street which was just behind our apartment. It is really in a great location close to ferries, train and main city street! But the only food we could find is Pizza, pizza and pizza, pasta and seafood...hmmmm what shall we eat??? :).

Chinque Terre was our next destination. Chinque Terre is located on the west coast of the Riviera. The villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore either cling to the cliff face or are concealed in miniature inlets perfectly blending in to this unique and unspoilt landscape.

We researched and decided to take the Ferry to Chinque Terre then the train to all stops on the way back home. As we arrived to the Ferry Port we were told that due to possible thunderstorms today and choppy sea the Ferry will only travel to Porto Venere. We turned around and decided to walk to the other side and catch the train. When we got to the train station we found the line(s), soooooooo long. We waited to buy the train ticket from the automatic machine about 40 minutes. Our turn finally came to only realize that the daily ticket we need is to be purchased from the office around the corner!!! Oh really? Another 45 minute waiting in the line and we can finally catch the train. The train station looked like Adelaide Markets when so full you can’t walk. But at least we met a nice Uruguayan couple.

Chinque Terre was just beautiful. We took the train straight to the last stop of Monterosso. There we explored took pictures and had lunch. Then we cought the train to the next stop called Vernazza. From there we decided to take the long walk to the next station called Corniglia. Yes, we had the train ticket but hey why not walk! So 1.5hrs later we arrived in Corniglia. Half way to Corniglia we stopped in a little village where fresh and natural lemon, orange juice and slushies were made. Ohhhhh that was just so refreshing as it was so hot and humid. Believe it or not we had a heavy fall of rain around lunch time and then the sun came out and it was just HOT!. In Corniglia we cought the train to Manarola where we completed our day on a high. We swam in the sea, jumping of the rocks and observing the beauty around us. We truly are very lucky!