Day 15: San Martino del Corso to Duino Italy

We were thankful we had covered an extra hour and a half of today’s hike yesterday, but even so, it was still a 14-mile day. The forecast had threatened rain for the last two days, yet so far, we’ve managed to avoid it, with the weather turning out beautiful again today.

Day 13 on the Alpe Adria Trail! (Day 15 of our full adventure)

Renato’s breakfast spread was a feast of sweet pastries, fresh bread, and homemade cookies. The cherry and prune preserves, also homemade, were an instant hit with us. Sensing our enthusiasm, he dashed downstairs and returned with marmalade he had made from oranges he’d picked in Spain. It was absolutely divine!

Sadly for future travelers, Renato is trying to sell the house to move closer to family.

Renato also shared a bit of local history. The restaurant he recommended for dinner last night had once been a Venetian trading center, standing strong for over 500 years.

Our trail led us down steep steps on a cliff side that passed a climber’s lodge….

After descending the cliff, we were able to look back and see the lodge tucked into the wall.

Much of our walk was through wilderness. The landscape is starting to shift; instead of tall forests, we’re seeing scrubby oaks and small pine trees. Different, but still breathtaking in its own way.

Although we lost the trail a couple of times, today’s hike wasn’t nearly as tricky or frustrating as yesterday’s—no one had to crawl through the brush in search of lost sunglasses this time.

After six hours on the trail, we were welcomed at our B&B in Duino with glasses of white wine—a perfect end to a long day.

Don’t tell Tycho that we enjoyed our host’s friendly dog!

Tonight, we’re enjoying dinner at the only open restaurant in Duino, but the location more than makes up for it. We’re just a stone’s throw from the Adriatic Sea, soaking in the tranquil beauty of the water while we rest our feet.

We walked back to our B&B and were greeted with a drink to help aid digestion, apricot spirits!

Tomorrow is another full day of walking. Four more days on the trail and then we set off to Croatia to give our weary legs a break!