From Venice, it took 7 hours and 5 different trains to get here - a small rural hamlet on the coast of Northern Italy, a place we are staying for only one full day. Why would we do such a thing? Because it's freaking beautiful!! We came all this way to do one day-long hike through these five towns along the ocean.

The one we are staying in, Riomaggiore, is a charming, craggy thing that climbs the steep slopes of the mountains with a seemingly endless stack of terraces and narrow stairs. Great views abound, if you can handle the climbs. And our room, nestled deep in that maze, is (for once) spacious and comfortable.

As for the hike, the mountains were strenuous, but beautiful, and every five kilometers or so you come to another one of the little towns, where you can refill your water or buy some focaccia. Plus the whole hike is right between lush green forests and that sparkling blue Mediterranean. It was easily the best thing we've done so far on our trip, and I'd venture to say it's in my top ten favorite hikes of all time. Not to be missed! (Someday, I will be able to post my own pictures; until then, you will have to settle for the stock photo on this blog.)