Our group of beautiful women (le belle donne) have happily arrived in Monterosso at our first destination for my Italy Retreat to live la dolce vita, the sweet life!  We flew into Pisa International Airport from all parts of the world, spent a night in Pisa to rest up a bit. Then hopped on the train for a one hour journey to the beautiful Italian Riviera town of Monterosso al Mare, where we will live for the first four days of our adventure.

Our first night–full moon–dinner at Ristorante Ely, with bronzino (sea trout), squid ink curried pasta, minestrone soup, clams, trofie pasta with incredible pesto, local wine, and pistachio gelato. A day filled with surprises, lots of stories, and even more laughter.

Meeting at the Pisa Train Station!

Jennie and Lenora checking out the beach and the hiking trail in back of us

branzino (sea bass)

After dinner, we joined the procession following the Madonna out of the small church down the street, and down to the beach as she was sent off in a boat, with thousands of candles floating in the ocean beside her stretching in an arc from the new beach to the the ferry dock in the historical center, where the Blessed Mother was retrieved, and brought back to the church serenaded with the local band.

Madonna procession

A fitting tribute to the feminine on a super full moon night.

Full moon over Monterosso, candles sent out to see for the Madonna procession

Barbra and Judith at the gelato bar

Learn more about traveling to Italy on Lenora’s Italy Retreats For Women
Find out more about Lenora’s Sweet Life Workshops and Sweet Life Happiness Coaching.

You are welcome to reprint, copy, or distribute Lenora Boyle’s article, provided author credit is included.