As beautiful as the pictures, this is a place you never want to leave.

We arrived a week ago and have taken several day trips, but have spent most of our time enjoying our little neighborhood, the rocky beach and the bluest water, the tuna and anchovies, our small deck with views of pastel houses and hills that reach down to meet the sea.

The view from the deck of our apartment, clothesline included.

On the way down to the marina

View of Riomaggiorre from the ferry,  on our way to  Vernazza

Below, Vernazza. In 2011 torrential rains caused floods and mudslides that buried the town in 13 feet of mud and debris. Residents were evacuated and Vernazza remained in a state of emergency  for months.

Baby birds!

Day trip to Manarola, another of the Cinque Terre (five fishing villages), this one a train stop from Riomaggiorre.

The old water wheel, from which the town of Manarola takes its name

Manarola Harbor

In the hills of Manarola

Taking the hill path through the vineyards

We returned to Riomaggiore in the late afternoon. I was done for the day, and Jay very kindly went into town and brought back dinner and a chilled bottle of the grape.

We spent the past week in Turin, with a two day side trip to Milan. After the excitement – and crowds – of Barcelona, Turin was a lovely change. Upon arrival we checked into the hotel we had booked  for the one night our other accommodation was not available. We  had dinner and drinks on the roof overlooking the city.

The next day we moved into the Tres Chic Bed and Breakfast, where each room is dedicated to a different actress. We stayed in the Bridget Bardot room.

Bathroom window

Below, the breakfast room.

Turin is a pretty quiet town, and a welcome change after the bustle of Barcelona. We had our favorite spots for breakfast and dinner,  all situated on large open squares perfect for people watching. Germana, our host at the Tres Chic,  was one in an unending lineup of gracious, helpful people who’ve welcomed us and made us feel at home wherever we are.

We spent two days in Milan, where we visited the Duomo.

 

And also:

Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II, one of the world’s oldest shopping malls. Because, history 😊

Strolling

 

Before leaving Spain we made a quick trip to Bilbao. Our room was not ready, so we strolled around the city, coming first to the main draw, which was directly across from our hotel.

We found so much more to love in Bilbao than we had anticipated. With no particular destination in mind we happened upon the Azkuna Zentroa, an enormous multi purpose space described as the “culture and leisure center” of Bilbao.

The lobby/atrium, a vast open space with dozens of decorative pillars

A video installation in the lobby

The ceiling of the atrium featureds a view of the swimming pool of the hotel, above.

Sights on our way back to the hotel. Residents of the building below include the Department of Public Health.

In the old city

The Hotel Miro

After checking in we headed directly to the Guggenheim

Flower doggie, Jeff Koons

Richard Serra installation

Another day enjoying this lovely and very livable city, with a late afternoon return to Barcelona, where we rested up in preparation for our departure to Turin the following day.

Below, the Cathedral of the Barcelona Airport Hotel

 

On our last day in Barcelona we took a day trip to Montserrat, site of the Benedictine abbey.

The views are half of the attraction here. One of the rocks below is called Elephant Rock 😊

The Abbey