European Vacation, Parte Due

The biggest downside to cruise vacations is that you don’t get to spend enough time in cities you really like, like Monte Carlo. I was here more than a decade ago and had time enough to gamble in the Grand Casino and stroll the shops. Not so, this time. It was more like Clark Griswold at the Grand Canyon in “Vacation.” I did get my Players Club card, which was critical at the time, although I still don’t know what I’m supposed to do with it. It did get me in to an “exclusive” part of the casino, where I didn’t gamble, didn’t eat or drink, but did take a photo.

Another highlight of our Monte Carlo drive-by was this:

The starting line for the one race that’s on my bucket list, the Monaco Grand Prix. I’ve been to F1 races in Indy and in Italy. Both times, Spanish driver Fernando Alonso’s car blew up right in front of us. Someone should probably alert him that I’m coming.

On to Italia! First, Cinque Terre and the best adventure we had in country. Cinque Terre is five little towns all connected by railway and hiking trails. Our original plan was to run between all the towns, but the rocky terrain, steep hills, heat, and long distances between a couple of them (pretty much every reason we could think of) changed our minds. Instead, we hiked between Vernazza and Corniglia. It wasn’t easy, as there’s a lot of loose rock and it’s pretty steep up AND down, but we were rewarded with amazing views. That particular hike took us a little over an hour. If you have the time, do this.

You may or may not remember that mudslides nearly destroyed Vernazza and Monterosso in October 2011. You can still see the line where the mud buried part of this building in Monterosso and where the heavy equipment scraped the building when digging it out. You can see this mud line on buildings throughout the towns. It’s kind of cool in a terrifying way.

Cinque Terre recommendations: Look for this swimming hole in Manarola. I believe you have to pay to swim here. We saw boys leaping off the rocks in to the water. Again, cool and terrifying.

And food? Eat anywhere, order seafood.

I remember years ago, when I told my dad I wanted to go to Rome, he said, “It’s just another big city,” which is true and not true. (He’s come around.. He loves Rome, now.) One of my favorite things about Rome is you can be walking down a street, turn a corner, and you’re in front of the Pantheon or Trevi Fountain or another breathtaking, centuries-old monument. I never get tired of Trevi Fountain, one of the most beautiful places in Italy, even with the gargantuan crowds all trying to be exactly where you are or in front of where you are. And can I say something? Stop taking family photos with your Ipad. You look like a dope. Maybe that’s what I wished for in this photo, maybe it’s not.

Last stop in Italy, Sorrento, which is beautiful and friendly, with lots of lemony things to eat and to buy. Ceramics are gorgeous here, too. Fun, beautiful, yummy restaurant: Ristorante San Antonio. Orange and lemon tree, outdoor seating (of course), and the biggest calzone I’ve ever laid eyes on. It deserved a round of applause. (I didn’t eat the whole thing. Not that I didn’t want to! But I had to leave room for gelato, OF COURSE!)

Moving on (sailing on) to Barcelona.