I was born a beach girl. Westhampton Beach that is. I have always thought of the journey of life as a walk along the beach, the setting and rising sun marking the passing of time. And forever near a beach I would like to remain. Thankfully, my Italian is a boy of the Mediterranean. Very often we travel to his sea. Monterosso al Mare. Incidentally, the only one of the Cinque Terre with beaches.
With the many tourists in town as well as sun-seeking Milanese, safer to hide beneath an unbrella.
These last summer days I am exploring the wild and less inhabited Levanto beaches. Molto bello!
Staring at the sea I reflect upon the many beaches I have walked thus far in my life. And have come up with my top 5. (Not including my local Long Island beach, those of Monterosso, and the turquoise waters of Corsica.)
1. The 17 barely inhabited beaches of Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
2. The many remote beaches of the Fourni Islands, Greece
3. The beach island of Gili Trawangan, Indonesia
4. The elite sands of Jose Ignacio, Uruguay
5. The beaches of Tulum, Mexico
The next 5 remain to be discovered…
You leave much to be envied! Glad you’re enjoying Italy!
Here’s my post on this area. It is absolutely glorious. Thank for sharing your experience. Hope you enjoy mine.
http://www.designdestinations.org/2010/11/cinque-terre-absolutely-glorious/
Great post Susan! I remember reading it a few months ago (I left a comment too). Such a special and remote part of the world! I feel very grateful to call it ‘home’.
I am very unfamiliar with beaches…(I am more of a lake girl)…but these are lovely! And I really like saying “molto bello” in my (funny) Italian accent, hehe!
I can recommend you a few dozen 😉 I think growing up on the coast really influenced my love of the sea (even though I was scared of the water for many years!)
Monterosso’s beach is indeed dreamy. And is it just me or don’t the two big rocks at the center of the strip look like a mama and a baby bear in conversation?
My shot of Monterosso’s “Riviera Bears” …
http://500px.com/photo/1676172
(:
Marisa, I never thought about it before, but now that you mention it, the rocks do look like bears. Great shot you took!
P.S. Have you ever been to Lanikai Beach (Hawaii)?
A few of my photos from this dreamy delicious patch of sand and sea on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu …
http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=63334811@N00&q=lanikai
Very dreamy beach! I have yet to make it to Hawaii. One day!
I can’t remember the name but we hit an absolutely magnificent beach in Corsica that I love. I only wish the sand was finer!
ps. I LOVE LOVE beach umbrella shots like the one above!
My Italian and I often debate sand vs rocks, as he prefers the latter. I’m a sand girl too coming from the white & sandy Long Island beaches, but have learned to adjust. You would absolutely LOVE these Italian beaches, rocks and all.
Dang. That’s quite the list! I need to visit more beaches… (maybe I’ll start some place like Levanto!)
You are always welcome to visit our Italian paradise. The pastries and gelato alone are worth a trip 😉
I love the photo here of the umbrellas 🙂 So pretty, I am making a note of all these beaches you mention. There are some lovely beaches in Ibiza, the best ways are so small and hidden away, but well worth the trek. I hear Corsica is very beautiful, I want to visit very much.
http://www.styleonthecouch.com
I would love to visit Ibiza too, have heard certain parts of it (those less touristy) are gorgeous! Yes, you must take a trip to Corsica. Untamed beauty.
I love those umbrellas!