Moving on to Cinque Terre

As we leave Bolzano on the train, we see the contrast of mountains, rock walls, and vineyards all contributing to the great diversity and natural wealth of this region.

 Train south from Bolzano

We're on the train most of the day, heading from Bolzano to Verona, at the base of Lake Garda (Lago di Garda), where we catch the train (coming across from Venice) to Milan.  In Milian, it's a quick dash into the food mall for sandwiches and wine, then the train over to Genoa and down the coast to Monterosso al Mare.  We arrive in Monterosso in the late afternoon, settle in to our room at the incredible Hotel Villa Steno (great accommodations, hospitality, personality, and friendship, which is why we keep coming back) and head out to dinner on a patio overlooking the Mediterranean at il Casello.

Hotel Villa Steno, view from our room

View from our table at il Casello as the sun sets

We're in Cinque Terre, so we have to have anchovies.  For this meal, we start with stuffed anchovies and anchovies Ligurian style (in olive oil with tomatoes, olives, and capers).

Stuffed anchovies, Ligurian

We then follow that with a seafood pasta:  shrimp, clams, mussels, and white fish in spaghetti.  My mouth is watering just writing this line and remembering the flavors and tastes.  Accompanied, of course, by a carafe of local white wine.

 Seafood pasta

As we enjoy the meal, the chef peers out the window above us to make sure we're all happy.  He need not worry at all about that!

Chef at work

We dine, sip our wine, watch the lights come on in town as the sun sets over the Mediterranean.  We're still in Italy, but what a difference!  Mountains and seaside on the same day!  Wow!