More about the colorful towns of Cinque Terre, Italy

If you are a travel savvy and especially a Pinterest user, you probably have seen this photo.
Am I right?

I did before my trip to Italy and Google'd the place right away; I told my husband that we have to go to this place. And, we visited there in January! I wanted to share my photos from the place and tell you more about it today.  

Let's start with some photos from my perspective...

Riomaggiore

Cinque Terre means Five Lands... From all the places I visited in Europe nowhere else has the lure of Mediterranean as Cinque Terre. Below is a map of the place to give you a better understanding of the geography. The place is famous with its white wine, colorful stone houses sitting on rock cliffs and its worlwide known coastal hiking.

A photograph of the actual map in one of the towns in Cinque Terre

One of the major things that attracted me to the place was the fact that the cars are not allowed into the towns. The villages connect only with trails, paths, boats or a train. 

 Here is a photo of the train that runs between the towns. It is very convenient to go from the main town La Spezia - where we stayed in to the 5 villages with the train.

Train of Cinque Terre

And the hikes... Unfortunately due to the last year's weather storm, most of all the hikes were closed in the area while I visited Cinque Terre. Even the last village was entirely closed for everyone. So sad... The only trail we went on was called 'Via Dell' Amore' or 'Trail of Love'. You will know why love is associated with the name of this trail after being on it. It is absolutely fantastic - only if you are not afraid of heights! The metal sculpture below; a women and a men kissing is the symbol of the trail, surrounded with love locks visitors put on the metal barriers, rocks,dry bushes and cactus.

How romantic this sculpture is, looking over the blue waters?

 Finally, I wanted to share some of the other artsy things I have captured in Cinque Terre.

Art Stroll in Cinque Terre

I hope you enjoyed today's travel destination. I wanted to write so much more about the town but; the post got already too long. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the place. I am happy to pass you any information I have about this lovely place.

 Looking forward to see you next time in my next traveling post to Marseille, France!

Let's follow the sun... A trip to Bora Bora Islands!

Now, it is December and I think it is time to travel some place warm. Let's pack up sandals, a beach towel, swimsuit, sunglassess and head to Island of Bora Bora in the Pacific Ocean... oh, don't forget to take some sunscreen!

Such a happy place with beautiful weather... Over the water bungalows are the most fulfilling, and dreamy places you can stay in.  There are so many activities you can do in this island... eating delicious seafood, snorkeling, golf or just relaxing laying in a hammock. This place is meant to be the center of the romantic universe! 
Don't you agree?

Walking on a sunken bridge... How cool that is?

I am sure all of you crossed so many bridges, but have you ever walked on an sunken one? This incredible bridge in southwest Netherlands parts the water so that pedestrian can walk in between. If you look far away, you cannot really tell that there is even a bridge existing. You can touch the water while passing through.  Isn't the architecture so cool? 

Sunken bridge in Netherlands

Are you wondering what is at the end of the bridge? A beautiful 17th century castle...

A fairy tale Castle Neuschwanstein

Can you imagine living in a castle? 

I cannot really, but if I could, I would live in Neuschwanstein Castle; located in Bavarian Alps in Germany. It is known as the castle of fairy-tale king, whom was very shy and wanted to build his own castle with the state of the art amenities isolated from public. The castle's unique location combined with the kings eccentric taste and love of arts&music makes this castle a special place. The 15 rooms and halls of the castle are full of original gold paintings, mosaics, elaborate wooden furniture and incredible artwork. Only king's bedroom took 14 carpenters to finish its woodcarving in 41/2 years to complete. Isn't that crazy?

Neuschwanstein Castle,  Translation is The New Swan Rock

Unfortunately, king Ludwig died mysteriously before the castle construction was completed. The irony is the castle opened to public just weeks after the king's death and it is being visited by thousands of tourists every day even though it was built to be a private refuge for King Ludwig.

Neuschwanstein castle is well worth a visit if you ever set foot over Germany for a visit to live a fairy tale at least for a day...

Let's Travel Abroad together!!!

I love crafting, making things with my beads, crystals,and metal wire in the A Cup of Sparkle Laboratory... There is one more passion in my life that is on fire all the time: Traveling!
I love love love seeing new things, places, shopping in different countries and getting to know different cultures and people So, I thought on Fridays I will talk about places I have been or I want to go and why... I have to confess that my geography is terrible but; I am so exicited to learn more about the world and take you to abroad with me by 'Let's Travel Abroad' Friday posts and photographs. What do you think? Would you want to do some traveling abroad with A Cup of Sparkle? I will be happy if you would stop by on Fridays to be a part of this adventure.

I thought I will take you on an outdoor adventure in Marseille, France tomorrow... A Meditteranean port town just southeast of France. I will see you tomorrow at our first destination in Europe.