7/24/2023: Let’s get a Coffee in La Spezia

La Spezia was an interesting spot. We scheduled a few nights to stay for the sole purpose of relishing in Cinque Terra - the beautiful and iconic coastline of Northern Italy. It was the first spot that really felt like we were in Italy. Lake Como was out of this world, don’t get me wrong. But it was too picturesque. La Spezia felt real.

The town was nestled between a naval base and a port. Shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars clustered themselves into a cute and very walkable downtown area. Nearly every single store had a sale going on.

There was a large garden that stretched along the southern coastline where ferries and cruises were able to navigate in between the naval shipyard and port. And, there wasn’t a clear beach in sight.

La Spezia didn’t quite match our Google image search descriptions but it treated us well all the same. And neither did our hotel. We thought we had nailed a bargain for a third floor hotel room with a full-size jacuzzi opposite of the bed. Not quite. ONE of the neighboring rooms had a jacuzzi, but not ours…

It was here that we learned how to order American coffees. The first world struggle of this trip has been trying to get an iced coffee on a 90 degree day. I had attempted to get an ice latte and was yet again presented with a coffee milkshake. Tasty, but a milkshake to start the day is in its own category of aggressive.

Afterwards, we spent damn near half an hour researching how to order all of the different variations of coffees that are normal back in the states. Honestly, it was time very well spent. It also explained to us why I had received a full cup of warm cow milk with my coffee back in Paris.

~J