We searched for our hostel, which ended up being a sketchy man working out of a little cubby hole of an office where he collected the money and then showed everyone to their apartments throughout the town, which were fully functional, but difficult to get to. Ours was up a few stairs with 10 beds, but one shower. Megan's, however, was up what felt like an eternal staircase that ended in a small room with one single and one double; which held a couple. Awkward...
After finding the hostel we went straight to find where the trails were, but to our chagrin they were all closed since it had rained all night the night before. The only open trail was a non-national one, which was "un po pericoloso" or a little dangerous. We took a note from Simba's book and laughed in the face of danger as up we climbed.
It was a beautiful trail, but after about the first 200 feet we had to pay attention solely to our feet or risk slipping in the mud or falling down the side of the mountain. Xander, one of the guys on our trip, ended up leading the way, smoking like a chimney the entire time. Lord knows how that happened. After a few gasps and 11 pairs of mud caked shoes, we finally arrived at the top and boy was the view worth it.
Then we went down, the same treacherous path. Our legs were tired and our stomachs empty, so we grabbed a snack and then waited for the national trail to open to the public at 7:30 (for FREE!). We walked to the next town over and had dinner by the sea at sunset. I ate a ton of delicious seafood even (gasp) shrimp with eyes!
The next day the trails were still closed (sadface) so we decided to buy the 2.80 euro train ticket to go between the 3 towns we hadn't seen. These involved more climbing, but not muddy climbing, more spectacular views, but cloudier views, and more adorably bright buildings. Oh, and a really cool striped church.
We left at 2pm, catching a much cheaper train back to Venice that went through Parma and Bologna and got in at 8:03. On the ticket computer this train was hidden, but when I hit the button "Tutte le opzione" it suddenly appeared! It left earlier, had more seats, and was about 30 euro cheaper than the train it originally recommended. Thanks Trenitalia! We caught all our trains, which were on time, and even one that went more quickly than it was supposed to. We got back with plenty of time to grab pizza and the 9:30 vap back to San Servolo. The others, however, were less lucky. They had left their luggage in the hotel room, so they decided to take a later train. The problem with this plan was that the entire world was apparently going from Florence to Venice, so once they got to Florence they found out the next train wasnt until 9:30pm from FLORENCE! (Not exactly a bad place to be stuck, but it meant they had to stay in Venice because they missed the last Vaporetto...)
Overall, a super trip and I cannot wait to go back and actually do the trails with my family! My pictures cannot convey the loveliness of the scene. It was honestly the most beautiful place I have ever been.... and I knew that the 1st day.
I am increasingly impressed with you photography skills. Great pictures!! miss you
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