We met our Backroads group at the Pisa train station at 10:00 on Sunday morning. We have 2 leaders (Juliette, an American, and Giulia, an Italian) and a support crew (Lorenzo-half Italian and half Californian). There are 11 members in our group, ranging from age 18 to 60s.
The first leg of our journey was to take a bus to the hillside village of Campiglia for an amazing lunch at an Eco-friendly restaurant. All the foods were local specialties and brought to the table family style. Then we are from little biodegradable wooden boxes with wooden forks. I was too busy enjoying it to take a picture.
Bus ride:
Piccolo Blu:
Our hike began after lunch. The terrain (minus the views of the sea) reminded us of the Hill Country in Texas.
The big city of La Spezia is below on the left, and the gulf is known as the Gulf of Poets, since it inspired people like Lord Byron and Shelley.
Hiking down into Portovenere (that island is where we eventually ate dinner, Isola Palmaria):
After 3 or 4 miles of hot, sweaty hiking, we were greeted by the sight of the Backroads van and a huge table full of treats and cold drinks for a snack. Backroads spoils you!
A marble quarry we passed:
The cat at our restaurant, hoping for some delicious seafood to drop:
View from our table:
And Portovenere at night, from the boat ride back:
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