SUGGESTED

ITINERARIES

Cinque Terre

16 km

The Cinque Terre are one of the most unspoilt Mediterranean areas in Europe, where nature and wild fragrances reign supreme, just as they always have done.
A visit to the Cinque Terre (Corniglia, Manarola, Vernazza, Riomaggiore and Monterosso) is a visit to five villages suspended between sea and land, perched on sheer cliffs and surrounded by the greenest of hills.
It means learning about the culture of dry-stone walls and vineyards, of fishermen and their nets, of olive groves and their paths jutting out over the sea.

The Cinque Terre owe much of their success in terms of tourism to the paths which weave their way along the coast or lead to sanctuaries which sit above each village. They provide incredible views. These paths can be walked by everyone, young and old alike.
A unique landscape in which Man and Nature have always lived side by side in extraordinary harmony.

Lerici

16 km

If the Bay of La Spezia can claim the name The Poets’ Bay this is mainly due to the attractions of Lerici. Here Byron and Shelley chose to spend their most intense and heroic moments and immortalised the Bay of Lerici in the eternal verses of their poetry.

From the Castle of San Terenzo to the one in Lerici a beautiful coastal walk will make you fall in love with one of the most panoramic spots in the world.

Portovenere

18 km

Portovenere’s growing international fame and the increasing number of tourists who come to discover the unrivalled beauty of this unique village, have not spoilt its original charm nor its suggestive panorama.

After a swim in the clear water at Arenella, Ulivo or Byron’s cave, in the evening you can discover the church of San Pietro (6th century but rebuilt in 1200), which is on land stretching out to the open sea: you’ll find it extraordinary when lit up.

A few hundred metres in front of Portovenere lies the island of Palmaria, for the most part still completely unspoilt and well worth a visit.

Palmaria

20 km

The island is a protected area since 1997, when the Island of Palmaria have been included in the UNESCO world heritage list .

The island has a large variety of hiking trails and natural beauty: untouched beaches, ragged cliffs, clear blue waters, natural vegetation and caves that can only be reached by boat.

Palmaria can be reached by private boats or ferry services from La Spezia or Portovenere. 

Lucca

84 km

An intriguing city of a thousand faces. The superb 15th century walls which surround and protect it are an ideal starting point to immerge yourself in the centuries’ long history which has made Lucca such an extraordinary place.

It’s also known as “the city of a hundred churches” of which you mustn’t miss the Cathedral (Duomo di San Martino) and the church of Saints Giovanni and Reparata.

The famous Via Fillungo, flanked by many medieval buildings, leads into Piazza del Mercato which once was home to a Roman amphitheatre.

Lucca offers an intense cultural programme: at the Teatro del Giglio with its important seasons of opera, prose, classical music and dance plus the Comics Exhibition and the Summer Festival are internationally well-known. Its gastronomy is one of Tuscany’s best so find yourself a table in any of the restaurants in the historic centre and… buon appetito!

Pisa

88 km

In less than an hour (just over 80 kms on the motorway) from La Spezia you can visit the world famous Leaning Tower. But Pisa is not just the Piazza dei Miracoli, even though this square, illuminated at night, is an emotional experience. There must be a reason why it’s the most photographed square in the world!

This university city is bustling with young people who frequent cafés, pubs and discos. An evening visit to Garibaldi’s city wouldn’t be complete without a walk along the “shoulders” (spallucce) of the Arno river and a stop on one of the many bridges.

Portofino

89 km

Set in a green promontory lies the splendid bay of Portofino. This typical Ligurian fishing village, with its coloured houses arranged in a semi-circle around the famous square (piazzetta), has become one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the world.

The harbour has preserved an atmosphere from the past based on marine traditions and patient craftsmanship where Ligurian colours and perfumes find their deepest roots.

After a visit to the church of San Giorgio or to Castle Brown, we suggest you take a walk to the lighthouse (faro) or along the many paths which climb the hill (Il Monte), descending into San Fruttuoso. You can relax and admire the wonderful surrounding Mediterranean vegetation.

Genova

102 km

In a beautiful position between the sea and the mountains, Genoa is mostly famous for its port and its Aquarium. However, it also has a wonderful city center and many attractions worth seeing, including interesting UNESCO World Heritage Sites and an atmospheric historical city center.

There are direct trains connecting La Spezia with Genova.

Firenze

167 km

The main city in Tuscany, capital of culture and birthplace to the Italian Renaisssance, attracts visitors from all over the world.

The Uffizi Gallery with its immense cultural heritage, the beautiful squares, Ponte Vecchio with its craftsmen, are only a part of the enormous potential which Florence can offer you.