Ciao, Guten Tag, and Hello!
I am in Zurich, Switzerland this weekend visiting friends, traveling to Germany today to see family. K and I spent the past week in Italy, visiting Rome, Cinque Terre, and Florence. We also stopped for a few hours in Pisa for a picnic on the lawn of the famous Leaning Tower. Below is a view from Fiosole, during a bike tour of the Tuscan hillside. Italy is such a beautiful country!
We celebrated our first wedding anniversary last Sunday in Vernazza, a small village on the Italian Riviera in Cinque Terre, with pastries, a long hike, delicious food, and wine. We also spent a few hours in a rainstorm, but that’s another story. By far my favorite view of the Cinque Terre villages comes from Manarola, often cited as the “most photogenic” in the area. This photo was taken in a garden overlook on a trail winding around the village, not long before sunset.
On NBC Chicago’s Stride blog earlier this week, I wrote about planning for fitness on vacation. In keeping with that theme, I’m sharing my travel workouts from the past week, including much more exciting locales than my usual neighborhood runs in the city:
Sunday ~ 2 hour hike from Vernazza to Montorosso al Mare in Cinque Terre National Park (a very steep hike in the hills!)
Wednesday ~ 22 mile bike ride in Tuscany, in the hills north of Florence (we completed the Advanced Bike Tour through iBike Italy – I highly recommend this).
Thursday ~ 75 minute run/walk to start our last day in Florence.
I also have a race discount code to share, for a competition event coming up next weekend (Saturday, July 12th) – the Chicago Challenge. This is an urban adventure race, in its fifth year in the city. It’s an “Amazing Race” style event on foot, including 3-4 miles across the city and a team competition. Teams include two or more people, participating in a scavenger hunt with 12 clues. There is no set course, as you figure out your best route along the way while solving clues. There are a number of prizes for the top five teams, as well as a prize for “Best Costumes” and “Top Family Team.” Your team also has an opportunity to qualify for the national competition event in Las Vegas. Click here for more info about this event.
The code “chicagojogger” will get you $30 off your registration. With this discount, race registration is $25, which us $10 less than any other available discount. (Click on the registration link above for the Eventbrite page including the special discount code).
(I was not compensated for this post and I am not affiliated with the Chicago Challenge. I just want to pass on a deal for an event that looks like a great time!)
I’m Celia. I live in the Chicago area. I'm a mama of two, runner, business owner and former Iowan. My blog includes recipes, fitness and travel posts, and stories about Chicago.
