The Art of Train Travel in Italy
For the Solo Traveller with Luggage
My plan was to be able to get around Italy on all methods of transport and to my carefully selected hotels, managing my luggage on my own, with a minimum of fuss. The plan went off with only a couple of minimal hitches, but on the grand scale of travel, I could almost say it worked perfectly! Train Travel in Italy is a lovely way to get around.
All my train bookings were made online using Trenitalia or Trainline, both have the same information, I have the Trainline app on my phone. If there is a First Class option, take it, it costs very little more for a nice seat, a bit more space and to be served snacks and drinks. The seats are still very nice in Second Class, but why……? Remember to check the type of ticket you have, most tickets need to be validated online, in the app, or by scanning the barcode on a printed ticket, before you get on the train. The inspectors are ruthless, there was a young couple near me who didn’t validate their tickets it cost them 56 Euros each to correct this error with the inspector, for a 9 Euro ticket!! Saying they didn’t know was not an excuse, she just stood there with her credit card machine saying, “There are signs everywhere, will you be paying with cash or card?” With a silent look that said, ‘or will I call security?’ They paid.
I arrived at Venice Marco Polo Airport, then caught the Alilaguna Water Bus into Venice.
After spending 5 fabulous nights in Venice, I wheeled my suitcase out of the Hotel Rialto and on to the vaporetto, this time from the Rialto stop right outside the hotel, we moved along the Grand Canal and after a couple of stops along the way we arrived at the railway station vaporetto stop, Ferrovia.
It is very easy to get up to the platform, with your back to the canal, head to the right-hand side of the station, there is a ramp there, so luggage is no problem. I checked the board and went and made myself at home on the train for the trip to Florence. The train wasn’t crowded so I was able to put my case in the space between the backs of the seats across the aisle, easy to handle with no lifting, and I could keep an eye on it if the train filled up. Right on time, the train pulled out of the station, we crossed the causeway to the mainland, and in no time, we were hurtling through the countryside.
We arrived in Florence about 45 minutes late, there was a problem just outside Florence with people on the tracks!! All the message that came up on the screen in the carriage said was, “Unauthorised people on the track causing delays.” I was ok, I didn’t have a connecting train to catch, but for others that would have thrown their plans into disarray, but there are generally plenty of trains, so it’s not too much of a problem in the middle of the day. I wouldn’t be keen for that to happen at night.
Ferrovia Vaporetto Stop at Venice Railway Station
Coming out of Venice Railway Station
After my 4 night stay at Hotel Atlantic Palace in Florence, the next stop on the solo Italian adventure was Siena. My original plan was to catch the bus from Florence to Siena, and with that in mind I booked to stay at Relais degli Angeli, a small boutique hotel just near the bus station. Then I read an article about a horror bus trip someone had, (difficult to handle luggage on the bus, a travel-sick child nearby, urrggghh!!) and decided to catch the train! Much easier to get luggage on to a train, but the railway station in Siena is at the bottom of the hill, and the town is at the top – not a problem, there is a series of escalators to get you up to Porto Camollia, the entrance gate to the medieval town. Or catch a taxi!
I spent 3 nights in Siena, then it was time for the adventure to continue, this time out to La Spezia, on the coast, my base for exploring Cinque Terre. This was going to be my first train journey where I had to change trains. I had become very good at flinging my luggage on and off trains, but this time I would have a degree of difficulty thrown into the mix – a time constraint and have to change platforms. I only had a few minutes change over time in Empoli, so there was no time for “unauthorised people” on the track holding things up!
It was all choreographed beautifully – I got off the train in Empoli, checked the board to see which platform I had to go to, hoping it would be the other side of the platform I was on. It was…..and the train was just pulling into the platform!!! I got straight on and settled in like a seasoned professional, and we made our way out to the coast and up to La Spezia. Be aware there are two La Spezia stations, don’t get off at the first one, La Spezia Migliarina, unless that’s near where you are going, of course. La Spezia Centrale is the main station in the town area.
There are many trains from La Spezia to each of the villages in the Cinque Terre National Park, it only takes a few minutes to get from village to village, this can all be done with a Cinque Terre Card, that gives you unlimited access to trains in the National Park area, and to La Spezia, for however many days you buy the card for.
For my train trip back to Venice, after 5 nights in La Spezia staying at Hotel Firenze e Continentale, things did start to get a bit ridiculous!! This train trip is in three sections and I suggest you book them separately!! The first details that came up gave me a 6 minute change in Pisa for the train to Florence – so unless you can do a 100 in a time that can leave Hussein Bolt eating your dust, and when last timed, I don’t! But then again, I don’t know what his time is in an Italian train station with luggage, only in perfect conditions on a track. Me, on the other hand………I might just have it all over him!!
Not willing to risk it, or having the added stress, I booked an earlier train out of La Spezia, so I now have a leisurely 40 minutes to get off one train, find which of the other 15 platforms my next train is going from, and get myself, and my luggage, there.
That all went to hell in a handbasket when I received a received a notification about a week in advance, that the Pisa to Florence train would be running late, this cut into my changeover time in Florence, so I booked an earlier train that could still fit in between the La Spezia to Pisa leg and the Florence to Venice leg. When I get to Florence for the change to Venice, I have 19 minutes, but my understanding is that is doable….
Then a few days later I received a notification that the train from La Spezia to Pisa was going to be running late, this meant I wouldn’t make the Pisa to Florence connection, and therefore miss the Florence to Venice train…….Oh noooooo!!
With the Florence to Venice train being the important one, I booked tickets on an even earlier train leaving La Spezia, and an earlier train leaving Pisa – I think I now had tickets for every train going in that direction that morning, but finally I had the no stress combo of tickets that gave me between 30 and 45 minutes for each transfer, time to buy a coffee in Pisa and some lunch in Florence to eat on the train on the way to Venice. Phew!!
Porto Camollia, entrance to Siena
Train track passing Monterosso Beach, Cinque Terre
Changing trains in Pisa, I only needed to go one platform over, there was a small lift, where I discovered that you need to hold the button in for it to go, just pressing the button in the usual way does nothing, I was terrified of getting stuck half way, but made it, walked quickly to the next lift and was up on the platform as my next train was just pulling in to the station. The button instructions were just an interpretation thing. The note above the button said, “To operate lift keep pressing” so at first, I was going press, press, press repeatedly. All this did was made the lift shudder. What the sign needed to say was, “To operate lift, press and hold the button in until you get up to the platform or down to the tunnel, then release.”
There was another drama on the way to Venice, where a couple of troublemakers refused to leave the first class seats they hadn’t booked, until security dragged them and their designer bling to the end of the carriage, and handed them over to the police when the train pulled into Bologna.
The train calmly pulled into Venice right on time and I was on the vaporetto and back in the Hotel Rialto for a few more nights on the canal before my Solo Italian Adventure sadly came to an end, until next time…….
To read about the Hotels I stayed in on My Solo Italian Adventure through Venice, Florence, Siena, Pisa, La Spezia and Cinque Terre – all possible on your own, with luggage, and easy to get to from the railway station!
For ideas on places to visit in Florence and Venice, and more to come!!
Itinerary for my Trip Over to Italy
Flew from Sydney to London Heathrow via Singapore, with Qantas on QF1, then QF2 to come home.
Stayed at the Royal Overseas League in St James’s.
Flew from London to Venice on British Airways.
Travelled Venice on Alilaguna Water Bus and Vaporettos.
Travelled from Venice to Florence, to Siena, to La Spezia and back to Venice on Italian Train, booked through Trainline, or TrenItalia.
Flew back to London on British Airways.
Oratorio di San Rocco, the small church with the clock and bell tower in Lerici, one of the more modern churches in the area, having opened in 1523!!
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#lerici #lericicoast #lericiitaly #italianarchitecture #italianhistory #madeinitaly #oratoriodisanrocco #oratoriodisanroccolerici #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #italytrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #historicitaly #belltower #clocktower #exploretheworld #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything
An afternoon walk around Cremorne Point to cool off in the sea breeze, summer has arrived in Sydney!! Blue sky, blue water, lots of boats, Sydney Harbour showing off it`s best side 🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞
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San Terenzo castle looking over the deserted beach as the boats and chairs get rolled out ready for beach weather, that actually arrived the day after I was there.
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#santerenzo #santerenzolerici #santerenzobeach #lerici #lericicoast #santerenzocastle #dessertedbeach #boatsboatsboats #gettingbeachready #tripovertoitaly #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #travelinitaly #solotravel #italytrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything #daytripfromlaspezia
Only this tower was left standing after a WWll bomb hit Villa Pastine in Monterosso al Mare, it was recently restored and is along with the broken statue of Il Gigante in my previous post are a feature of the northern end of the beach.
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Some of the places I visited on my solo Italian adventure
Top row - Venice, Florence, Siena
Bottom row - La Spezia, Porto Venere, Lerici
For info on where I stayed and how I got there, travelling solo with luggage, click the link to my website in the bio.
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#venice #basilicasanmarco #florence #pontevecchio #siena #sienabelltower #laspezia #portovenere #lerici #Italy #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #solotrip #madeinitaly #neverstopexploring #traveltheworldwithme #italytrip #italianadventure #alianarchitecture #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #historicitaly
Inside the 13th century Santa Margherita d`Antiochia Church in Vernazza.
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#cinqueterreitaly #vernazza ##vernazzaitaly #vernazzacinqueterre #cinqueterrenationalpark #cinqueterrecoast #solotravelinitaly #santamargheritadantiochia #medievalitaly #13thcenturyarchitecture #italianarchitecture #italianhistory #madeinitaly #tripovertoitaly #traveltheworldwithme #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #blackandwhitemarble #seekandyoushallfind
Some of the stations I became familiar with on my solo Italian adventure. Siena had the biggest step up from the platform to the train, but by the time I left Siena I was quite good at handling my luggage so it wasn`t a problem, and Pisa was the easiest and my visit to Pisa was a day trip from La Spezia, without any luggage!! Although I did have to change trains in Pisa a few days later on my way back through Florence to Venice....easy 🤩!!
For more info on the art of solo travel by train in Italy, click the link to my website in the bio.
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#traintravelinitaly #pisa #siena #Florence #laspezia #italybytrain #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #solotrip #neverstopexploring #madeinitaly #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #italytrip #italy #soloitalianadventure #solofemaletravel #solomidlifefemaletraveler #italiantrains #railwaystationsinitaly #traveltheworldworldwithme #traveladdict
The Italian exhibit at Fleures de Villes in Sydney`s Royal Botanic Gardens, not quite sure why it`s Italian other than Italians seem to have claimed lemons as their own.....
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#fleursdevilles #royalbotanicgardens #italianexhibit #sydney #sydneyaustralia #sydneylocal #sydneyinwinter #sydneylife #explorethecityyoulivein #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything #experiencelifethroughtravel #traveltheworldworldwithme #sydneyweekend
One of the fountains in Sydney`s Royal Botanic Gardens up towards the NSW Art Gallery. I think someone needs to turn the tap on a bit more, it`s lacking in oomph!!
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#sydney #royalbotanicgardens #fountaininthepark #walkinthepark #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #seekandyoushallfind #neverstopexplroring #sydneyweekend #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydneyharbourwalks #sydneystyle #sydneywalks
This sculpture of a broken man in the rocks at the northern end of the beach at Monterosso al Mare, is thecremains of Il Gigante, was damaged when Villa Pastine, behind him took a hit in WWll bombing. The second photo is from one of the art works in the tunnel, showing what he looked like before.
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#monterosso #monterossoalmare #monterossoalmarecinqueterre #cinqueterrenationalpark #cinqueterrecoast #cinqueterreitaly #cinqueterre #ilgigante #ilgigantemonterosso #ilgigantemonterrossoalmare #artinpublicplaces #brokenman #sculptureontherocks #solotravel #solotrip #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #italianhistory #exploringitaly
On your walk around the bay from Lerici to San Terenzo, this house was one of many buildings along the way where the window frames and the mouldings above the windows are 3D on the front of the building and on the sides, they are all painted on, even with the shadow!! Very talented artist.
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#santerenzo #santerenzobeach #santerenzochedelgolfoepiubelfiore #santerenzolerici #solotravel #solotrip #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldworldwithme #traveladdict #italianbeach #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything #experiencelifethroughtravel #tompeloeil #italianarchitecture #madeinitaly #walkalongthebay
Arriving in the beautiful medieval city of Siena, I checked into @relaisdegliangeli , a lovely boutique hotel. It felt like home 💖. Siena is definitely one of my favourite places in Italy, Made even better by this hotel, it is easy to get to from the railway station or the bus station, the staff are friendly and helpful, the breakfast is amazing!!
Click the link to my website in the bio for more info on the hotels I stayed in on my Solo Italian adventure.
I`m not an affiliate, this is just an honest recommendation.
#siena #sienaitaly #sienatrip @relaisdegliangeli #italianhotels #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #italytrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #neverstopexploring #traveladdict #neverstoptravelling #solotrip #solofemaletravel #solomidlifefemaletraveler #boutiquehotelsoftheworld #italianadventure #relaisdegliangelisiena
I caught the bus from La Spezia out to Lerici, on the southern side of the Gulf of Poets. So many boats in the bay, and look, another medieval castle for me to climb to the top of!!! Travellers tip:- there is a lift up to the castle 😃!! It`s fairly well hidden, but if you walk around the bay to the base of the castle, you will see a tunnel full of kayaks, just up there is the lift.
In the second photo, out in the distance on the left of the pic, you can see Chiesa di San Pietro out on the point in Porto Venere on the other side of the bay, see my previous 9 posts for Porto Venere photos.
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#lerici #lericicoast #lericicastle #lericiitaly #lericioutdoor #gulfofpoets #gulfofpoetsitaly #boatsboatsboats #boatsonthebay #solotravel #solotrip #solotravelinitaly #italianadventure #italianhistory #madeinitaly #tripovertoitaly #medievalitaly #italianhistory #italytravel #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything #seekandyoushallfind
What is the most efficient way to get from Venice Marco Polo Airport into Venice?
Alilaguna Water Bus,
@alilaguna_official operate from the airport to several stops around Venice and along the Grand Canal, making it very easy for solo travellers to get yourself and your luggage to your hotel with a minimum of fuss. I stayed the lovely @rialtohotelvenice just near the Rialto Vaporetto stop, so very convenient.
Click to link to my website in the bio to read bout my arrival in this watery wonder world.
#venice #alilaguna #venicewaterbus #airporttransport #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #solotrip #neverstopexploring #madeinitaly #tripovertoitaly #traveltheworldwithme #italianarchitecture #italianadventure #italytravel #earlyspringinitaly #solotravel #venicelights #veniceitaly #venicewalks #venicelife #venicecanals #venicetrip
Sydney` Royal Botanic Gardens starting to come to life at the end of winter. It is still winter here, but we are having hotter weather that we get in peak summer, hopefully this doesn`t mean we are in for a relentlessly hot summer 😳
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#royalbotanicgardens #sydneyaustralia #sydney #sydneylocal #sydneyinwinter #sydneylife #explorethecityyoulivein #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #pondinthepark #birdinthetree #reflectiononwater #reflectiononwaterisbeautiful #whiteflowers #walkinthepark
After walking up to the top of Lerici Castle, the drizzly rain had stopped, so I decided to walk all the way around the bay to San Terenzo, this place will be packed to the rafters, but in early April the only people around were people doing maintenance to get ready for the season.... and me.....
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#santerenzo #santerenzobeach #santerenzochedelgolfoepiubelfiore #santerenzolerici #solotravel #solotrip #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #travelinitaly #italytrip #italytravel #earlyspringinitaly #emptybeach #seasidewalk #passagiato
And even further up the hill in Porto Venere, the old castle walls, the ancient pathways, and more fantastic views out across the bay, and over Chiesa di San Pietro perched high above the sea.
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The French exhibit at Fleurs de Villes at Calyx, in Sydney`s Royal Botanic Gardens. This was my favourite, love a bit of Moulin Rouge!!
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San Terenzo Castle has been looking over the town and beach since the 12th century, it has seen some stuff in it`s time!! All around the base of the castle is full of kayaks storage and other small boats waiting for a summer out on the bay.
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#santerenzo #santerenzocastle ##santerenzobeach #medievalitaly #italianhistory #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #castles_oftheworld #kayaksandboats #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #solotrip #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldworldwithme #traveladdict #travelinitaly #italytrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #historygeek #historicitaly #lookouttower #madeinitaly
After arriving at Venice`s Marco Polo Airport, I caught the Alilaguna Water Transport directly to Rialto, then when I left Venice by train to Florence, I caught the Vaporetto from Rialto to Ferrovia, the ferry stop at the station, then straight on to the train, suitcase in the gap between the seats, and off we went, so efficient. Very easy, even for an old chic like me on a solo Italian adventure!!🥂
For more info on the art of train travel in Italy, click the link to my website in the bio.
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#venice #grandcanal #solotravel #traintravelinitaly #italiantrains #alilaguna #alilagunaferrytoairport #vaporetto #ferrovia #venicerail #venicetrainstation #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldworldwithme #outonthewater #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
My Solo Italian Aventure took me out to La Spezia, my base for exploring Cinque Terre, Porto Venere and Lerici. Staying @hotelfirenzelaspezia was ideal, just 50 mtrs from the railway station, and a short walk through La Spezia to the harbour, all methods of transport to easily get around are all nearby. The room was very comfortable and spacious, the buffet style breakfast was delicious, and the Terminus restaurant served fantastic meals.
For more info about the hotels I stayed in on my Italian Aventure, click on the link to my website in the bio.
#laspezia #italybytrain #hotelfirenzeecontinentale #hotelfirenzeecontinentalelaspezia #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #neverstoptravelling #solotrip #solofemaletravel #solomidlifefemaletraveler #seeeverythingdoeverything #hotelsinitaly #explorecinqueterre #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #passportready
As my ferry from La Spezia to Monterosso rounded the point Chiesa di San Pietro on above Porto Venere, I knew this was a place I needed to visit. This church has been here looking over the sea since 1198. After seeing the way the villages of Cinque Terre have lost their character to tourism, I imagine Porto Venere is what Cinque Terre used to be like - very few people, absolutely beautiful and so much history, a just a short bus ride from La Spezia.
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#portovenere #laspeziatomontarosaferry #daytripfromlaspezia #chiesasanpietro #chiesadisanpietroportovenere #medievalitaly #italianhistory #madeinitaly #italianarchitecture #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #historicitaly #italytrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #neverstopexploring #traveltheworldwithme #solotravel #solotrip #solotravelinitaly #italianadventure
The Church of Santa Margherita d`Antiochia Vernazza, with it`s octagonal bell tower has been sitting in the main square in Vernazza since the 13th century. I guess it`s OK to leave your guitar and guitar case out on the rocks by itself before the crowds arrive!!
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My walk towards San Terenzo from Lerici continues, past this very rocky section of the bay, towards the next empty beach.....I know this beach would have been a hive of activity the day after I was here, it was much warmer and a beautul sunny day.....but I was off to Pisa that day.
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#santerenzo #santerenzobeach #santerenzochedelgolfoepiubelfiore #santerenzolerici #lerici #lericicoast #lericiitaly #lericioutdoor #gulfofpoets #italytrip #madeinitaly #traveladdict #laspezia #italianadventure #italytravel #earlyspringinitaly #emptybeach #seasidewalk #traveltheworldwithme #neverstopexploring #neverstoptravelling
The beach club on the bay between Lerici and San Terenzo, in the Gulf of Poets, Italy, just waiting for the sun to come out.
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#santerenzochedelgolfoepiubelfiore #santerenzo #santerenzobeach #lerici #lericicoast #lericiitaly #lericioutdoor #gulfofpoets #gulfofpoetsitaly #italianbeach #beforetheseason #solotrip #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #italytrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #neverstopexploring #travelinitaly #traveladdict #traveltheworldwithme
This is typical of the style of buildings along the waterfront in Lerici, they all have a great view out over the bay.
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#lerici #lericicoast #lericiitaly #italianarchitecture #italianhistory #madeinitaly #tripovertoitaly #traveltheworldwithme #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmylens #colourfulbuildings #lacebalconies #walkalongthebay #solotravel #solotrip #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything
For more info about train travel in Italy and where I stayed on my recent solo Italian adventure to Venice, Florence, Siena, Pisa, La Spezia and Cinque Terre - click the link to my website in the bio.
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#solotravelinitaly #solotravel #solotrip #italytravel #italianadventure #madeinitaly #tripovertoitaly #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #travelinitaly #italytrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
Back down at sea level in Porto Venere, beautiful restaurants and the smell of the sea, with Doria Castle and San Lorenzo Church watching over from high up the hill. It was quite a walk up to the top, but it`s doable, (even for an old chic with a dicky knee!!), you zig-zag slowly rising as you rise higher past San Pietro, past San Lorenzo and up to the castle.
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After catching the bus from La Spezia to Porto Venere, I walked to the square and saw this ancient entrance to the old city within the castle walls, this is exactly what I was hoping the villages in Cinque Terre would be like. Porto Venere beats all the villages for beauty, fantastic views, history, lovely shops and beautiful food 😍 💖
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#portovenere #oldcitywalls #italianhistory #madeinitaly #medievalitaly #italianarchitecture #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #historicitaly #italytrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldwithme #neverstoptravelling #italytravel #italianadventure #italytravel #italiantrip #paradisefound #passionpassport
Further up the hill in Porto Venere is Chiesa di San Lorenzo, another medieval church with an amazing view out over the bay, the tall ship out there adds to the ambience.
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#chiesadisanlorenzo #chiesadisanlorenzoportovenere #blackandwhitemarble #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmylens #seeeverythingdoeverything #medievalitaly #italianarchitecture #madeinitaly #tripovertoitaly #solotravel #italianadventure #italianhistory #italytrip #italytravel #tallship #bayofpoets #belltower #viewfromthetop
In the tunnel you walk through to go between the 2 beach front areas of Monterosso, on the Cinque Terre coast in Italy, they have made a few art installations in the walls along the way.
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#monterossoalmarecinqueterre #monterosso #monterossoalmare #cinqueterrenationalpark #cinqueterreitaly #cinqueterrecoast #cinqueterre #artinpublicplaces #tunnelinmonterosso #solotravel #solotrip #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldworldwithme #traveladdict #travelinitaly #italytrip
In Florence I stayed @hotelatlanticpalaceflorence , just a short walk from the railway station, and an equally short walk to Duomo Firenze, Ufizzi Gallery and Ponte Vecchio. The roof top bar at the sister hotel, Hotel Machiavelli, 50 mtrs down the street has amazing views over Florence. In the hotel foyer is an amazing vase made to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Italian Constitution in 1898. The city of unbelievable art and design starts right here in the hotel 🤩. The hotel is very comfortable, safe and serves a lovely breakfast to fuel you up for a day of exploring.
For more info about the hotels I stayed in on my Solo Italian Aventure, click the link to my website in the bio.
#hotelatlanticpalace #hotelatlanticpalaceflorence #hotelatlanticpalacefirenze #florence #duomofirenze #viewfromtheterrace #solotravel #italytrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #neverstopexploring #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #solotrip #solotravelinitaly #italianadventure #madeinitaly #italianhistory #italytravel #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #solofemaletravel #solofemalemidlifetraveller
The northern part of Monterosso al Mare, I had a coffee and croissant in a coffee shop on the beach front here before I started exploring. Later in the day a few brave souls were climbing this rock a jumping into the very cool, crystal clear water in early spring. The train station is down here too, where I could buy my Cinque Terre Pass giving me a few days of unlimited train trips, it also includes the bus up the hill in Corniglia.
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#monterossoalmarecinqueterre #monterosso #monterossoalmare #cinqueterrenationalpark #cinqueterrecoast #cinqueterreitaly #cinqueterre #italytrip #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldworldwithme #traveladdict #italianbeach #seekandyoushallfind #clearwater
The pond in Sydney`s Royal Botanic Gardens, with glimpses of Sydney Harbour in the background.
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#royalbotanicgardens #sydney #sydneyaustralia #sydneylocal #sydneyinwinter #sydneylife #explorethecityyoulivein #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #seetheworldthroughmylens #pondinthepark #walkinthepark #sydneyharbour #sydneyharbourwalks
After walking up thousands of steps in Porto Venere exploring ancient castles and churches I had a very late lunch/very early dinner down by the water, this seafood pasta was the most delicious meal I had during my Italian adventure, made me love Porto Venere even more!!
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#portovenere #portovenereitaly #latavernadivenere #seafoodspaghetti #deliciouspasta #fishandchips #deliciousitalianfood #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #solotrip #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldworldwithme #travelinitaly #neverstopexporing #neverstoptravelling #italytravel #madeinitaly #traveladdict
A little port hole view from Lerici Castle over the town of Lerici, a great place to pause while I got my breath back ready for the next lot of steps to climb on my quest to reach the top of the castle lookout tower.
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#lerici #lericicoast #lericiitaly #lericicastle #windowontheworld #viewfromthecastle #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #medievalitaly #italianarchitecture #italianhistory #madeinitaly #tripovertoitaly #traveltheworldwithme #historicitaly #lookouttower #solotravel #solotrip #solotravelinitaly #italianadventure #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything #experiencelifethroughtravel #stepsstepsandmoresteps
Sea creatures carved into the rocks in a wall in Vernazza, Cinque Terre. Each of the villages has a quirky art work somewhere!!
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#carvedrocks #artinpublicplaces #vernazza #vernazzaitaly #vernazzacinqueterre #cinqueterrenationalpark #cinqueterrecoast #cinqueterreitaly #cinqueterre #solotravel #solotrip #italytravel #italianadventure #madeinitaly #solotrip #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldworldwithme #traveladdict #neverstopexploring #neverstoptravelling #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
This appealed to me......in the Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney. In reality it is an enormous work, but everything I see it a different size, it looks like something else.
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#artgallery #nswartgallerysydney #nswartgallery #artoftheday #artlover #explorethecityyoulivein #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldworldwithme #sydney #sydneyaustralia #sydneylocal
Tucked away inside Lerici Castle in the Gulf of Poets on the Italian coast, is the medieval Chapel of Santa Anastasia in the central core of the castle, well protected, so it has remained the same since the 13th century.
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#lerici #lericicoast #lericicastle #lericiitaly #santaanastasiachapellericicastle #medievalchapel #medievalitaly #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #historicitaly #italytrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldwithme #neverstoptravelling #solotravelinitaly #solotrip #solotravel #italianadventure #madeinitaly #italianhistory #castlechapel
Monterosso al Mare, the Northern most village on the Cinque Terre coast in Italy. I caught the ferry from La Spezia all the way up the coast to Monterosso, it was so good to see all the villages from the ferry, then I caught the train back down visiting each of the villages.
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#monterosso #monterossoalmare #monterossoalmarecinqueterre #cinqueterrenationalpark #cinqueterrecoast #cinqueterreitaly #cinqueterre #solotravel #italytrip #madeinitaly #traveladdict #travelinitaly #solotrip #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldworldwithme #outonthewater #laspeziatomonterossoalmare
An enormous stainless steel sculpture of Captain James Cook in the NSW Art Gallery, just next to the Royal Botanic Gardens. I made a detour to the Art Gallery before heading back into the gardens to continue my walk.
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#captaincook #stainlesssteelsculpture #nswartgallery #nswartgallerysydney #sydneyweekend #sydney #sydneylocal #sydneywalks #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldworldwithme #sydneylife #sydneystyle #explorethecityyoulivein
The curtains on this focacceria are made from real pasta, so clever!!! This is one of the little shops on the path in the ancient city of Porto Venere, inside the castle walls.
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#focacceriaportovenere #portovenere #portovenereitaly #pastacurtains #solotravelinitaly #solotravel #solotrip #italianhistory #madeinitaly #medievalitaly #italianarchitecture #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything #experiencelifethroughtravel #traveltheworldworldwithme #daytripfromlaspezia #insidethecastlewalls
Most areas in Italy have a statue of Giuseppe Garibaldi somewhere and Monterosso al Mare is no exception, here in Piazza Garibaldi surrounded by cafes and restaurants.
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#giuseppegaribaldi #piazzagaribaldimonterossoalmare #monterosso #monterossoalmare #monterossoalmarecinqueterre #cinqueterrenationalpark #cinqueterrecoast #cinqueterreitaly #cinqueterre #solotravel #italytrip #madeinitaly #traveladdict #travelinitaly #solotrip #italianhistory #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldwithme #neverstopexploring #neverstoptravelling
I travelled by train between destinations on my solo adventure to Venice, Florence, Siena, Pisa, La Spezia and Cinque Terre. Very easy to use, booking through @trainline I became very adept at handling my luggage on my own, changing trains and enjoying hurtling through Italy in comfort.
For more info on the art of train travel in Italy by clicking the link to my website in the bio.
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#traintravelinitaly #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #solotrip #madeinitaly #traveltheworldwithme #italytrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveladdict #travelinitaly #italiantrains #cinqueterre #cinqueterreitaly #cinqueterrenationalpark #cinqueterrecoast
As the ferry from La Spezia pulled into Vernazza, on the Cinque Terre coast, we were all mesmerised by the efficiency of this helicopter that seemed to be bringing building supplies in from just over this hill, where the closest road is. The guys who unhooked the load were so fast the chopper seemed to not even slow down as it spun around to go back for the next load, then the same at the pick up location, it just swooped in and they were ready to hook the next load on and it flew on, a well rehearsed routine!!
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#vernazza #vernazzaitaly #vernazzacinqueterre #cinqueterrenationalpark #cinqueterrecoast #cinqueterreitaly #cinqueterre helicopter #deliveringsupplies #vineyardsofitaly #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything #solotravelinitaly #solotravel #solotrip #italytravel #italianadventure
A great hotel in Venice for Solo Travellers with luggage, @rialtohotelvenice is easy to get to from the railway station or the airport with the vaporetto stop right outside on the Grand Canal. The staff are all lovely and so helpful. The location is perfect, at Rialto Bridge, you will always be able to find your way back, just keep following signs to Rialto!!
I had the best time there looking out over the Grand Canal, either from my room or up on the terrace, it would be so easy to spend all your time just watching all the goings ever changing happenings on the Canal.
I have written a story on my website about all the hotels I stayed in on my recent solo Italian adventure, all easy to access from transport, safe, friendly and comfortable. Click the link to my website in the bio.
Not an affiliate, just giving my honest recommendations.
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#hotelrialto #hotelrialtovenice #grandcanal #hotelsforsolotravelers #solofemaletravel #solomidlifefemaletraveler #solotravelinitaly #solotravel #italytrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #neverstopexploring #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #neverstoptravelling #italytravel #rialtobridge #rialtobridgevenice
The railway station at Monterosso al Mare is right at the beach, don`t be fooled by the lack of crowds on the platform, the train just left going north, the crowds are all behind me waiting to catch the train down to the other Cinque Terre villages, or to La Spezia, where I was staying.
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#monterossoalmarecinqueterre #monterosso #monterossoalmare #cinqueterrenationalpark #cinqueterreitaly #cinqueterrecoast #cinqueterre #solotravel #italytrip #madeinitaly #traveladdict #travelinitaly #solotrip #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldworldwithme #travelbytraininitaly #travelbytrain
A sculpture of a tree on the beach front in San Terenzo, in the Gulf of Poets, near La Spezia in Italy. It was a lovely place to amble around on a cool, cloudy day in early spring.
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#santerenzo #santerenzobeach #santerenzochedelgolfoepiubelfiore #santerenzolerici #treesculpture #artinpublicplaces #daytripfromlaspezia #beforetheseason #solotrip #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #italytrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #neverstopexploring #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #travelinitaly #italytrip #madeinitaly #tripovertoitaly
Chiesa di San Pietro in Porto Venere, high up on the hill, up so many steps, I can`t imagine what the guy with the bicycle is doing!! 😂 swipe to see the ancient interior of the church, and the doors covered in little figures. All looking a bit weather beaten after 900 years.
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#chiesadisanpietroportovenere #medievalitaly #italianhistory #madeinitaly #tripovertoitaly #traveltheworldwithme #historicitaly #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #churchdoors #ancientchurchdoors #portovenereitaly #portovenere #oldcitywalls #italianarchitecture #italianadventure #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything
