Italy Retreat

I was nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award by Nicole at Cultural Comments Blog. Thank you for the honor. I 'met' Nicole through her blog when she was updating the world about the October 25th mudslide and flood devastation that occurred in Vernazza and Monterosso, in the Cinque Terre, Italy.

I want to be part of the solution for full quick recovery for these two beautiful towns. Each September, I bring a group of women to Monterossso, where I teach a transformational workshop, ITALY RETREAT FOR WOMEN to live la dolce vita. We also travel to Italian Riviera towns, including Vernazza. I love most areas of Italy, but especially the Cinque Terre. It's a magical land, and Nicole is one of the bloggers who has kept the world informed about the devastation and recovery--a sweet gift of service. The Cinque Terre is a listed as a world heritage site, and I'm just saying they must be rebuilt.

DONATION TO CINQUE TERRE: So, before reading any further, if you would like to donate to their recovery, (any amount is appreciated), please click HERE The money goes directly to rebuilding Monterosso and Vernazza. Another local site created by four expats, that directly supports Vernazza is SaveVernazza.

Now....back to the Versatile Blogger Award! There are a few rules:
Rule #1: Link back to the person that gave you the award
Rule #2: Pass this award on to 15 other deserving blogs
Rule #3: Share seven facts about yourself

15 Bloggers I read and enjoy for many different reasons. Some write about Italy, travel, food, or life experiences in general...but all inspire, educate and comfort me. Read their blogs and enjoy!

I nominate the following wonderful BLOGGERS for the Versatile Blogger Award.

1) Bleeding Espresso

2) 2 Baci in a Pinon Tree

3) My Bella Vita

4) Diario di una Studentessa Matta

5) Euro Bimbo

6) Who's Your Gladys?

7) My Melange

8) White Hot Truth

9) SpeakStrong

10) MamaMaryshow

11) A Path To Lunch

12) PaniniGirl

13) Bell' alimento

14) Doniree.com

15) SusanVanAllen

7 Things About Me:

1. I have dual citizenship with Italy. I have 100% Italian heritage as both sets of grandparents immigrated to the US from Italy in the early 1900's. I love all things Italian.

2. When I traveled to Italy in 2006 for the first time, I met over 40 relatives. One aunt I met was Aunt Carmella, who was 92 years old, and my maternal grandfather's baby sister. When my grandfather was 17, he left for America alone, before she was even born. They first met when she was 50 years old and he was 67.

3. I have meditated twice a day and have done yoga for 38 years since I was 20 years old.

4. My life's work has been focused on helping individuals to be happier, to create an enriched life, and all the possibilities that brings. I started teaching workshops on marriage and parenting three decades ago, and have been focused on helping individuals break free from limiting beliefs, so they can be happier and healthier for the past 20 years. Love my one-one-one work that I do coaching over the phone and in person.

5. I love gardening and have been eating healthy wholesome organic foods my whole adult life. I'm a foodie. It's important for me to eat well, spend time in nature and get exercise.

6. Cooking and traveling are great passions. Love to watch the cooking channel and Food Network shows. Italy is my favorite place to visit, and my life's goal is to visit every part of each region of Italy, and to live here several months every year. I have visited France, Holland, Germany, Italy, England, Cayman Islands, Mexico, India, Canada, Cayman Islands, Virgin Islands, and Tahiti.

7. Reading has always been a fun past-time for me. I usually read self-help books and cookbooks, but also memoirs, novels and books about Italy.


Blessings to all of you!

I have talked to many people who have loved visiting Italy. It fills them on so many levels, (not just gastronimically) but on a deep soul level--the beauty is breathtaking because you are surrounded by gorgeous natural landscape, in addition to a people that are very welcoming.

These are some of the reasons I am teaching my 3rd annual workshop in Cinque Terre, Italy. We can all reconnect with ourselves by spending time in the natural beauty of an ancient land. It is a place where we can find deep contentment and freedom.

As written in the wonderful New York Times article in August 2007, "It's almost unfair how much intense beauty, great cuisine and amazing aromas are jampacked into such a compact space."

In fact, the only way to truly experience the sensory overload that this small area has to offer is by getting off those well-trodden paths.

There are benches where you can sit and admire the view or just watch all the people wandering by. There is a small restaurant on the Via dell' Amore where you can get something to eat and drink. Picnic tables with a spectacular view are located above the restaurant. You do have to walk up a number of steps to get to the picnic area.

Details about each of the paths that connect the 5 villages of the Cinque Terre is from the Discover Walking Blog.
It would take at least 5-6 hours to hike through all five of the Cinque Terre villages.

Monterosso al Mare to Vernazza: This is a difficult trail that is 2.5 miles (4km) with many up's and down's. It will take most people between 1.5 and 2 hours depending on how many stops you make to admire the view.

Vernazza to Corniglia: This is the most difficult of the four trails and has the least number of ocean views. It will take most people about 2 hours to hike this 2.5 mile (4 km) trail. The terrain is uneven in places and you will have to be able to hike up and down hills.

Corniglia to Manarola: This is an easy 45 minutes walk and you have an ocean view for the entire walk. The trail is less than 2 miles (3km).

Manarola to Riomaggiore: This .5 mile trail (.6 km) is an easy stroll on a paved walkway. It will take about 30 minutes to walk the path.

If you'd like to see more photos of the Cinque Terre and find out more about the September 10-18, 2011 workshop and travel experience that I'll be teaching, check out my website at ChangeLimitingBeliefs.com.

Photo #1: I climbed down to the rocks off the hiking trails. You can see some of the trails in the distance.
Photo #2: I'm walking on the path from Corniglia to Manarola (two Cinque Terre towns)

photo of Monterosso, the northern most town of the Cinque Terre (5 towns) on the Ligurian Coast, northwest coast of Italy, the Italian Riviera. Monterosso is known for its beautiful beach.