Sabbioneta - an unexpected highlight

2-3 July - Driving on from Cinque Terre, we needed to take a stop for the night in central Italy.  We just selected a town on the map and it turned out to be a very good choice.  Sabbioneta was built in the 1500's and is surrounded by a fortified wall.  It was very peaceful (almost no tourists), and it was like stepping back in time with its cobbled streets and arcades.  We bought a self-tour walking ticket and followed a trail of palaces, theatres, churches and a synagogue.  So much history and beautiful architecture!  Next morning we spent more time walking around and taking photos, we really did not want to leave.

A historical drawing of Sabbioneta

Aerial photo - you can see the complex fortified walls around the town

Palace interior

Galleria o Corridor Grande - upstairs

Galleria o Corridor Grande - ground level

Another palace

A historic synagogue.  It was OK to be in shorts but I had to wear a shawl over  my shoulders.  Owen had to keep his cap on.

The entrance gate to the town - we drove in and out here.

Typical cobbled street

We stayed at thisAlbergo - it was wonderful

Dining outdoors at a cafe beside the Galleria (under renovation)

The courtyard of our accommodation.  Our room was the one upstairs at the back.

Next morning, more photographs before leaving.

Cinque Terre - Italy

1-2 July - we spent two days exploring Cinque Terre (pronounced chink-wa tear-ay).  These are five small, delightful, colourful villages perched precariously on rocky coastal promontories.  There is no road access, the only way to reach them is by train.  You can also walk from one to another but unfortunately only one of these walking tracks was open.  We took the chance to do this, it was an hour's walk and was actually quite steep and rough.  We were glad to start early before it got too hot.  Cinque Terre is a huge tourist attraction and it was very crowded.  We were also warned about pickpockets, especially on the trains.  Still these colourful villages were well worth visiting.

Lunch at a beach -pizza of course!

Riomaggiore

On the walking trail between Monterosso al Mare and Vernazza

Vernazza

Corniglia