We woke up bright and early—like sunrise early—and started our walk to the meeting point. The quiet of the Duomo, which had been packed with tourists just the day before, was almost surreal. As we made our way through Milan’s downtown area, soaking in the rare emptiness, we couldn’t help but feel a little lucky to experience the city like this. Our destination? Cairoli, where we met our guide for a spontaneous adventure to the province of La Spezia and Cinque Terre!

Now, full disclosure: today’s itinerary was supposed to be a bit different. We had our hearts set on a trip to Verona to live out our Shakespearean dreams, but apparently, we were the only ones! The tour got canceled, so we pivoted to something equally exciting—Cinque Terre! A day of beach hopping in 100-degree heat sounded like the perfect way to roll with the punches.

**Cinque Terre, Here We Come! 🚍**

We met up with our guide at the Milan Visitor Center, hopped on a comfy air-conditioned coach, and settled in for the ride. As the stunning scenery rolled by, our guide filled us in on the fascinating history and highlights of **Cinque Terre**—a UNESCO-listed gem made up of five distinct villages along the Mediterranean Sea.

Our adventure kicked off in the town of La Spezia. From there, we boarded a 90-minute cruise bound for Monterosso. The sights were simply jaw-dropping—Porto Venere, Riomaggiore, Manarola, and of course, Monterosso al Mare. Each town had its own unique charm, and wandering through pedestrian tunnels, quaint cafés, beautiful beaches, and lively squares felt like stepping into a postcard.

After disembarking the cruise, we made a quick pit stop in Riomaggiore for some delicious focaccia, then continued our journey to the coastal train station in Manarola. We hopped on a train that whisked us away to Monterosso al Mare, our next stop on this stunning Italian adventure.

Once in Monterosso al Mare, we enjoyed a beachfront lunch at Il Casello, where the views were as incredible as the food.

The café is known for its pesto, which is made fresh every morning. Trust me, it was every bit as amazing as you’d expect. They also added potatoes to their pesto pasta—a game changer and a must-try if you’re ever in the area. We’re definitely bringing this idea back with us!

Post-lunch, we strolled towards the Scoglio du Monterosso and spent some relaxing time by the beach. I loved the beaches here, not just because of the picturesque rocks scattered in the water, but also for the colorful umbrellas that added a fun, vibrant touch. The water was a stunning blue, and the entire area exuded a tranquil vibe that made it hard to leave.

But today wasn’t about ticking off landmarks—it was all about relaxation. We soaked up the sun, took in the sea breeze, and just let the beauty of these beach towns wash over us. It was a day for chilling and taking everything in.

Instead of telling you more, I’ll let the photos do the talking:

A Taste of Milan: Spontini Pizza 🍕

After our day of beach bliss, we made the journey back to Milan by train and bus. Once we were back, it was time for dinner, and I finally got to cross one more place off my must-try list: Spontini.

This spot had been bookmarked for me for probably the last eight years.