That time we hiked the Cinque Terre with 3 kids...

We honestly never planned on hiking the Cinque Terre with our kids. In fact, we weren't even going to go back there. It was one of my favorite places the first time we came to Italy (I have LOTS of favorites). But we are trying to stick to mostly new places and Cinque seemed difficult to do with kids.

But then some of my family members came. Andrew knew he really only had one day to show them anything because he would be working all the other days. After finding out what they wanted to see and thinking about what would be the most difficult thing to do without an Italian speaker, we decided to take them to the Cinque Terre. I am so glad we did.

We got a little bit of a late start but it was only a 2 hour drive to La Spezia. However, on the drive there I quickly realized that I had done a poor job of packing for the day. I forgot to refill Esme's formula container (I've given up trying to breastfeed her but still pump a little). So I only had enough formula for 3 bottles. I also forgot jackets for the boys for when it cooled off in the evening. I seriously must have completely lost my mind because I had thought of both of these particular things extensively as I was packing and somehow I still managed to get in the car without them. There were a few other little details that I had missed. The formula made me the most nervous because I am almost positive I wouldn't be able to find any in the Cinque Terre. I used to think bottle feeding was so much easier than breast feeding but I was SO wrong. I digress.

When we got to La Spezia, the gps took us to the train station but it was not the train station we wanted. However, we found amazing free parking spots right next to the "wrong" station so we hopped on there and took the train to the right one. Catching this train involved a lot of frantic running to get on before the doors closed. I was so glad that we had a lot of adults around to help with the kids. It honestly would not have been possible without them.

It ended up that going to the wrong station worked out perfectly and we made it to the main La Spezia station in time to catch the train we needed.

They loved the train ride. Except they were expecting a subway for some reason and were upset that we weren't underground. Luckily we went under some long tunnels and they were satisfied in the end.

We started out in Riomaggiore.

We have a watercolor of this picture that we bought the last time we came to Cinque Terre. 

A stairway off a very narrow alley. Whenever the boys get into an argument, I make them sit on a step in our house and work it out. Then they have to hug. So I have seen this scene many times.

After taking a few pictures, we went to catch the train to Manorola but found out that we had just missed it and there wouldn't be another one for at least an hour. Since we had gotten a late start, we worried we wouldn't get a chance to really show them the best part of the Cinque Terre. There was only one option and it definitely wasn't one we had planned on. We decided to do the same hike that we did as a couple a few years ago and hike over the hill to Manorola. This was kind of exciting because it is a beautiful hike. But it was also a little terrifying because our kids were with us. Luke and Cam are great boys with lots of energy, but late in the afternoon I was afraid they would tire out quickly, start whining, and want to be carried a lot. I had Esme in the baby carrier and I was worried that I had dressed her too warmly in her footie pjs, plus we didn't have much milk for her.

My brother Jerry became Luke's best buddy which made Luke indescribably happy

Miraculously it turned out great. The boys had more energy than any of the adults and hiked like champs. They only needed to be carried a little bit. Plus, they absolutely loved it. No whining. No complaining. They loved "climbing the mountain". Esme didn't love it quite as much but the milk situation turned out fine and carrying her wasn't as difficult as I anticipated.

Boys pretend their water bottles are cars while the rest of us take a short break

As I was hiking I kept thinking of how surreal it was to be sharing something I enjoyed so much with my kids. It was so fun to see them love it too. Of course they don't quite understand what a rare opportunity it is, but hopefully it will be memorable for them.

The boys adore their sister

Hiking down into Manorola

Every year, a local artisan creates a "Way of the Cross" for Easter. If you look closely you can see the figurines carrying the cross up the mountain. You can also see a nativity scene. 

Waiting for train to Vernazza (my sister Erin)

We didn't stay long in Manorola. Just long enough to get some gelato. Then we took the train to Vernazza just in time for sunset. Veranzza is one of my favorites because you can get down right next to the water and I love the boats along the dock. The town itself is charming although a few years back it suffered a mudslide and you can still see the damage left behind on some of the buildings. It gives it character.

Luke with Aunt Michele

Andrew, Luke, Cam, my brother Jerry, his wife Melanie, Esme, me, my sister Michele, my sister Erin

After the sun set we caught the last train of the night back to our original train station. It was a long day. And I can't believe how happy the kids were considering we really didn't eat much,were probably dehydrated, and forgot jackets. A little miracle. They fell asleep the instant the car started.