Happy Thursday, friends!
I’m on a mission to share this trip with you before the month ends because…this fall, my travel calendar is FULL, so I can’t still be talking about the super hot Mediterranean in July come September.
(And let’s be real, in September, I just want to talk about pumpkins, scarves and cider).
Andrew and I in particular were so excited about this day because we were going to visit three of the five villages that make up Cinque Terre on the coast of Italy. Spoiler alert, we will FOR SURE head back here for a land vacation and just spend time in these towns. We loved them! I hate to play favorites with our days…but this might have been the fave for the entire family. Before we get to that though…
If you missed the other vacation posts from this trip, catch them below:
PART ONE: BARCELONA
PART TWO: BOARDING THE BEYOND & PROVENCE
PART THREE: MONTE CARLO
PART FOUR: PORTOFINO
Here we go, on this day, our ship arrived at the Florence/Pisa port, and we hopped off and met our guide for the day. He was waiting for us at the dock with boat tickets in hand a full day ahead. The plan was to hop on (multiple) boats to visit four of the five villages. Unfortunately, (later on in the day) there was a train delay that prevented us from being able to visit one of the towns, so we ended up only getting to three…BUT…that just gives us more reasons to go back 🙂 .
Off we go!
A few things to note:
1: We were on a lot of boats this day because seeing the towns from the coast was supposed to be the best/most beautiful/most interesting way to do it…and I wanted our family to check all of those boxes (because it was GORGEOUS!).
2: When I look back at my phone, I have the most pics and videos from this day, but I’m going to spare you the 500 (you’re welcome).
3: Did I get sick? No. Please see an upcoming post for the joys of being sick on a boat. I didn’t throw up, but I didn’t feel great at all…but God has cursed eh I mean blessed me with a husband and four kids who love boats and never get sick, so I suck it up for them. It’s funny, God has also cursed eh I mean blessed me with a husband and four kids who like to ski/snowboard too. Isn’t He funny like that?! Whatever lesson He’s trying to teach me, I sure I wish I could hurry up and learn it 😉 .
This first boat ride was about an hour. The entire time, we sat outside and watched the coastline. Our guide had so much information about every little village/grouping of homes/church we passed. He actually grew up on a farm in one of the tiny hamlets hanging off the side of these cliffs, so his experience and stories were remarkable.
This girl loves a boat ride and a tour guide. Ashby wants to know all the info. She had a lot of (really good!) questions!
She made herself a telescope 🙂 .
Our first village was Vernozza…and it was FABULOUS! Oh my word, we want to go back!
This is the town that inspired the fictitious town in the movie…
…Luca. My peeps were pumped about this!
Off we go! We…
…basically ate our way through this village.
First up…
…gelato and granita (thank you g-free cones in Italy!).
Then…
…pizza…
…why is eating pizza and ice cream just the BEST?!
So good!
This town was overflowing with shops, cafes and colorful buildings.
Could we pass up fried calamari? Of course, we couldn’t.
Goodbye adorable village, it’s time to meet your neighbor…
…another (30ish minute) boat ride later, and we were in Monterosso al Mare.
This village was another one where we kept saying “I want to stay!”.
After all of that exploring, we were ready to…
…eat again. These two thought it was so funny that their menus stuck to their sweaty foreheads. Ha!
Allllll the delish Italian food at lunch including…g-free gnocchi 🙂 .
From here, it was time to take a train (not far at all…maybe 20 minutes?!) to the next town…
…Manarola 🙂 .
Were we full? Yes. Do we stop at any establishment that is entirely gluten-free? You better believe it!
Gluten-free crepes?! Yes, please!!
So from here, things got fun but a little frazzled. There is a spot here for everyone to get in the sea and swim. My kids loved this…but I didn’t think Andrew Shull was ever going to leave. He was in his happy place. Now…our very sweet guide had headed off to get our train tickets to the next stop (which it turns out there was a train delay, blah, blah, that took longer than we thought), so good old mom was left to stand and hold everyone’s clothing that could be removed. And shoes. And gluten-free cookies and treats we had just purchased at the last stop. So did I take any pictures? Of course not. I stood there sweating, holding their belongs and silently cursing my luck for being “the mom” in the group (while also secretly celebrating that my clothes weren’t going to be soaked moving forward).
After their swim…
…they put their shoes back on (not easy when you’re soaked)…
…and walked over to where the most iconic photo spot sits. Do you see the people swimming in the background? That’s where they all swam.
Back with our guide, wet and…
…heading to the train. We took two trains to get us back to the ship (unfortunately having to miss the fourth village), but we’ll be back Cinque Terre!!!
After a very full, very wet, very fun day, we cleaned up for dinner on the ship as she headed to the next port.
It was business as usual 😉 .
We saw a show…
…we headed to dinner…
…and had a gorgeous table in the aft…
…right by the window.
And that was a full day 🙂 .
I’ll see you guys tomorrow! Don’t forget, vacations like this is what we do best here at Mix and Match Travel Agency. It makes us SO HAPPY to send you to places like this too 🙂 .
Lauren says
Oh Shay, you definitely need to go back!! We went to Italy 6 years ago and lived Cinque Terre the most too! We stayed in a little AirB&B right in the town of Riomaggiore (the town on the southernmost end of the five towns). It was so small and quaint and absolutely perfect. Happy you all enjoyed Cinque Terre!!
Elspeth says
I have been loving all your travel posts! Thanks for taking us along with you!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Chrissy says
So glad you had a wonderful time! We spent several days staying in an AirBnB in Vernazza and hiking between the villages- so beautiful! When you go back (and the kids are older), we would highly recommend the hiking! You see amazing views and walk through farms/vineyards that showcase how locals live. The hiking is really challenging so older kiddos would be best!
Cristin says
Yes!! You have not “done” the Cinque Terre until you hike between the villages. We were only able to do Monerosso to Vernazza due to weather and trail closures, but it was magical. (and that “aerial pic” of Vernazza that was shared is actually the view from the trail. <3
Meghan says
I did study abroad in Italy during college. And Cinque Terre was one of our fave weekend trips!! Soo beautiful. We actually did the hike between the 5 cities, which was crazy but really cool to walk along the mountain cliffs! In case you want something other than the boat ride for next time 😜 I’m also doing a cross stitch project of what looks like Vernazza right now..because I’m a 35 year -old lady 😂love all the colors. I want to go back too!
Julie says
Hi Shay!
This trip just looks so lovely, and I cannot get over the sheer amount of places you got to see. I have a family of five (3 kids ages 12-16) and I feel like this might be a good match for us. Can you let us all know the name of this cruise so if we wanted to book it with you we know what to ask for? Many thanks-love these posts!
Mix and Match Mama says
Just email me directly, Julie! I’d be so happy to help! mixandmatchtravelagency@yahoo.com is my direct email. We sailed on the Celebrity Beyond.
Laura Holmes says
We visited Cinque Terre a few years ago and stayed in Manarola. Absolutely gorgeous! One of our favorite trips. So glad you enjoyed it also!
Linda says
Loving your trip recap. Can you tell me who you used as a guide for your day in Cinque Terre? I will be on the Beyond in May, so having fun reading about each port you stopped at!
Mix and Match Mama says
We have a big list of tours and guides reserved exclusively for our travel agency clients. If you haven’t booked your entire trip yet, we’d love to help you too!
Erica Pollak says
Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Isn’t this the village a big part of the movie “Talented Mr. Ripley” was filmed? Jude Law and Matt Damon? Sure looks like it.
Mix and Match Mama says
Ohhhhh! I think you’re right! Andrew loves that movie, I need to ask him. It freaks me out a bit…that boat scene…agh!
Beth Knecht says
Beautiful, beautiful!!
We were supposed to head to Cinque Terre and then COViD hit! I can’t wait to make it there one day!
Tasha says
Hi Shay! I know you’ve mentioned before at home your whole family eats gluten-free but on vacation do you allow your kids who do not have a gluten intolerance eat what they want or does everyone have to stay gluten free all the time? Just curious!
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes! If we’re at a restaurant, the other kiddos can eat gluten. If it bothered K, I might do it differently, but it doesn’t bother her.
Jacqui says
This took me RIGHT BACK to my stay in Cinque Terre! I kept gasping at your photos like “oh my god I remember the best seafood pasta down that alley” and “that’s where we swam that one night as the sun set” — THANK YOU for this magical trip down memory lane, so glad you all loved it as much as I did!
I also echo the prior comments – hiking the towns was so incredible. But not sure about little legs
Melinda Bridge says
When we went to Rome and Florence a few years ago, we spent a couple of days in Vernozza. It was such a fun, unique place. Several in our group walked over to Monterosso, via the mountain. We arrived there by train from Milan. I loved all of the colorful buildings. Thank you for sharing!
Laura says
What beautiful towns. I’ve always wanted to go there. Do you book your guides through the ship or find them yourself?
I can’t wait for the rest of the ports.
Mix and Match Mama says
We find them here at our agency for our clients!
Darcy says
Your trip has looked so fun; and this day was full and beautiful! What great memories you all made. Now I want to go on a cruise. 🙂
Jl says
This looks amazing!! I especially love that you are including your gluten free finds, thank you!!
Jennifer says
We were just there with our 3 kids July 27-30. We stayed in Vernazza. What a dream come true! Swimming in the beautiful water, hiking between towns, and the BEST food. Our son, Luca, was especially excited to eat at Ristorante Luca.
Amanda Wilson says
I know you always think these posts are tiresome for people but please know I am OBSESSED with ALL your travel posts!!!!!! These besides life lately are my favourite. Thanks so much for sharing!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Awwwwwwww! Thank YOU, Amanda!!
Kristen says
I need to visit Cinque Terre, looks amazing! We spent a week in Positano this summer and it’s hands down one of the most beautiful places I have ever been, and the food OMG!!! .. have you been there yet? Definitely put it on your list!!! Ciao!
Mix and Match Mama says
On my list!!!
Lisa Klein says
I’ve been waiting for you to post about this day!!! Planning to go here next summer to celebrate my 50th and my daughter’s 16th!!
KK says
So my now-husband, then boyfriend did a 5 month work rotation in Turin, Italy in 2014 and I was able to go visit for 2 weeks and we spent the entire time bopping around Italy. Our first date after 4 months apart was at the restaurant you see hanging off the rocks in Vernazza – it’s in the photo above the village internet photo!! It was called Belforte and just as dreamy as you can imagine after so long apart, hanging over the sea, with a big huge moon and Italian wine and I STILL think about the squid ink pasta…mmmm. Thanks for bringing me back!! Cinque Terre is a dream – the hiking is so fun too. It’s mostly through olive groves built into the cliffs so you should definitely go back to experience it!
danielle says
We are hoping to try our first cruise with kids in Europe next year. Did you feel that Celebrity has enough to do for kids? Mine are 12, 9 and 7. I want them to have fun, but a Disney cruise is way too overstimulating for me. Thoughts? Thank you!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Our ship was super nice…but it was a basic/normal/no bells and whistles ship. We only had one day at sea, so I thought it was fine for us and our itinerary. I really think it depends on how much time you’ll be spending on board the ship.
Linda says
I love, love, love the travel posts too! I love the colors of the buildings, so happy looking. Can you post a link for Madely’s Jean jacket with the tiger on the back?
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh my word, she wears it just about every single day. Erika bought it for her for her birthday last year. It’s an Old Navy jean jacket and then Erika had the tiger added to the back (she bought it on Amazon). Madeley wears it so often that I’m going to save it as so that we can always remember it even when she’s older.
Marie Le says
Love reading about your travels as I add these wonderful places to my bucket list.
You should look into getting the 360 Insta camera. It comes with an invisible selfie stick so you can be in the pictures, too! 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
Googling it now!
Alisha says
What is the age gap between Smith and Madeley? Their bond this trip is SO sweet to see!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Five years 🙂 . They’re really super sweet together.
Joanne says
OH that does look lovely!!
Elizabeth Feldpausch says
Give me allllll the vacation recaps!!! Some of my most favorite posts to read!!! I feel you on the mom job of holding everyone’s stuff!! ❤️
Sheaffer says
Good grief this is an amazing trip!!!! Loving all of the pics!
Camille says
lovely recap! Going on an Alaskan cruise because of you 🙂
Where is the dress from the business as usual picture? It looks fab!
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s a skirt from Nordstrom and a bodysuit from Abercrombie!
Rachel Kazmier says
I love Manarola and the area. We stay in a delightful Airbnb in Manarola and have hiked from village to village. When you go back you MUST eat a nessa dorma. The views! Would gladly share our Airbnb if interested. Not fancy but perfect.
Jackie says
Can you post a link for the skirt please when you have a chance, Shay? It’s beautiful!! Thank you 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
It was a Nordstrom find from the spring but sold out pretty immediately when I checked!