Leaving the busy and hectic city of Rome we caught short train up to the Tuscany region of Italy. We arrived in Rome in the evening and made our way up to our campsite, Plus Camping Michelangelo, settling in after a busy day of traveling. We dropped off our bags and immediately went to the bar to get some highly necessary pizza and a jug of sangria while we enjoyed the amazing view that we had from our camp over looking the entire city of Florence nestled in the valley of the rolling mountains that surrounded us. Feeling content, happy, full, and slightly buzzed we chatted and reminisced about the great times we had in Rome. Around 8 we decide that we should go up the main plaza just up the road that has the best overlook of the city. We arrived to the most amazing sunset I have ever seen as the sun dropped behind the towering Alps in the distance, as the sky erupted with colors for the next few hours as the city began to shut down and the life of the night awoke.

We awoke the next morning again to PERFECT weather, cloudless blue skies, very warm temperatures, and a slight breeze to give us another perfect day in Italy. We eventually got going and spent much of the day exploring this new city. We got some very good food at a local Italian restaurant, spaghetti with garlic bread and a roast beef crochette salad. Feeling full we settled down in one of the popular squares to do some people watching. This turned out to be the best people watching I have ever experienced due to the fact that there happened to be a street performer out doing a clown/mine skit where he continued to play with the audience in various ways. After about two hours of the entertainment we returned back to the camp, got more amazing Italian food, and spent another evening enjoying the view of great sunsets and views of the city.

On the third day we awoke VERY early, around 5:30 to head out to go hike the Cinque Terre out on the coast of Italy. We caught a train to Pisa on our way which got into Pisa at 8; we quickly walked/ran the mile to the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, took a dozen pictures and then hurried back another mile to train station to catch our train that left at 8:51. With another famous site under our belts we traveled to the coast, and within a few hour train ride we were standing at another station looking out on the Mediterranean Sea! Its bright blue waters sparkled in the bright sun as the rough steep mountains shot from the peaceful sea. We got our passes to hike, explored the first village at the station briefly and then set off on the first of 3 amazing hikes along the sea that connected 5 small villages. Upon arriving at the third village we hiked a 300 some stair case to reach the top of one of these many tall mountains that border the sea. We took a break near a small store that sold many of the local crops of the five villages, one being Prickly pear or cactus fruit. I have never had this before so why not try it here, but upon trying to eat it I happened to grab it with my bear hand (stupid me) and ended up having about a 1000 tiny thorns in my hand, great. Ended up being a really good fruit besides my dumb logic, reminded me a lot of guava. We continued on hiking the trails, as we climbed up and down and up and down these tall hills. Finally we arrived at the forth village covered in sweat from head to toe, we stumbled down to the water and with out hesitation was soon swimming peacefully in the warm yet VERY refreshing crystal clean water. For about an hour or so we enjoyed the sea and the sun before we again got our stuff together and set off again on the final trail to the 5th village. Three minutes out of the cool and relaxing village we were again cover in sweat as we struggled up the steep staircase that lead out of the village. For the next hour we trekked through rocky, narrow paths that hugged the coast giving us breath taking views as fuel to continue on. Finally we arrived just in time for another dip in the inviting water and grab a bite to eat before we boarded our train back to Florence. Wooh! 7 mile hike along the coast of Italy, 2 miles of running through Pisa to see the Leaning tower, and swimming in the Mediterranean Sea: my life is now complete!

Our forth day in Florence we awoke up late and slowly, still worn out form the previous day's journeys. Spent most of the day wandering the streets again and making a few preparations for the next days travels. A very calm and peaceful day to end up a wonderful time here in the amazing country of Italy.