This past weekend I was able to travel to the Cinque Terre with a few friends. This was hands down the most gorgeous place I have ever visited and a surprisingly relaxing destination given the huge tourist population. We stayed in an Airbnb in the small town of Manarola which was perfectly picturesque. As a visual person, I think places like these are some of the most inspiring because I can feel myself appreciating the colors, shapes, and compositions of every sight I see. Taking photos is always a joy rather than routine documentation as it sometimes is, unfortunately. Thinking of my sketchbook, I decided to pay close attention to the branding of the tourist shops here because it was surprisingly good. I enjoyed meandering the tiny shops and observing their layout and overall aesthetic. On our last morning, we headed out to take a pesto-making class in Levanto. This was another visual experience that I won’t ever forget. Not only did the pesto taste amazing but was also the most radiant green color I had ever seen. The combination of the smashed basil, the light yellow olive oil, and the marble mortar was truly a sensory experience. I will be back someday!
