Lerici – Italian Riviera

30 Monday Nov 2015

Posted by Lyn Douglas in Cinque Terre, Lerici

Tags

Cinque Terre, Gulf of Poets, italy, La Spezia, lerici, Photography, portovenere, San Terenzo, travel, Tuscany

Each time I visit Cinque Terre I like to spend time in Lerici. On my first visit here we drove to Lerici where we found easy parking in one of the car parks and then it was an easy walk to the beach. It will cost you about 10 euro for the day but make sure you have coins as it is almost impossible to obtain change from any of the businesses in the area. Or, there is a large pay parking lot between Lerici and San Terenzo with a shuttle bus that takes you into town or you can walk to either village from the parking area.

Lerici can also be reached by ferry from La Spezia, Portovenere, and Cinque Terre. Small ferries between the Gulf of Poets villages run mainly in summer.

Lerici is a town in the province of La Spezia in Ligura, and part of the Italian Riviera. It is situated on the coast of the Gulf of La Spezia. It is known as the place where the poet Percy Shelley drowned.

Once into Lerici you will marvel at the quaint town clinging to the seaside cliffs above the marina. If you are a keen swimmer, try the blue mile swim across the bay, conveniently marked by buoys. But, you don’t need to be a keen swimmer to enjoy the beautiful clear, clean water.

A little paradise where you can manage what to do depending on your budget: it is a free beach and if you wish you can hire a sunbed and umbrella.

On the beach there are plenty of beach beds, chairs and umbrellas, but I was always happy to lie on a large rock and jump in to the beautiful crystal clear water regularly to cool off.

The coastline has a great walking path along the water and plenty of bars and restaurants to visit.

Laze away an afternoon gazing at the lovely buildings in Tuscan yellows and oranges, or take the stairs up to the castle, or enjoy yet another yummy gelato.

There are excellent views from the famous castle of Lerici, San Terenzo and across the bay to Portovenere. You can take the stairs or there is a lift to the top. The views of the poets gulf are worth the effort.

The castle is at the end of the beach, very close to the centre of San Terenzo.

While in Lerici, I rarely heard English spoken here as Lerici is mainly an Italian tourist town. It has become one of my new favourites. It is easy to park and walk down to the centre, very dog friendly everywhere, not crowded and stunningly beautiful

It is a beautiful location at night time right after sunset and there is plenty of action late into the night.

Belforte – Vernazza

26 Friday Sep 2014

Posted by Lyn Douglas in Cinque Terre, Vernazza

≈ 11 Comments

Tags

Belforte, Cinque Terre, italy, Ligurian Sea, Photography, Porto Venere, Vernazza

If you have been to Cinque Terre, you will know there are hundreds of places to eat. These include, bars/café, pizzeria, gelateria, restaurants and more.

While we were staying in Porto Venere we took the boat to Monterosso and later headed off to Vernazza for lunch.

When we arrived, the restaurant Belforte, which is high up on the rocks, caught our eye so we climbed the stairs to ask if there was a table available for us to have lunch there. Our timing was perfect as we were immediately seated at a table with a great view. Mind you, there are even better positioned tables than the one we had but we were very happy.

This was one of our best meals in Cinque Terre for so many reasons.

Firstly, the atmosphere, the view, the breeze, the ambiance.

Secondly, the food. The menu is not over-priced and offers many great options for both food and beverage.

Finally, the service. The staff are amazing, friendly, helpful, and do not rush you. They want you to stay, enjoy your wine…and possibly order more!

We all ordered the fresh bream, which was actually “plated-up” right at our table. And it was perfect. Our meal was just like the view, fantastic.

This was simply an amazing experience to eat a meal while sitting right on top of the sea and waves.

If you think about dining at this restaurant I would recommend that you make a booking and request a table on one of the small terraces overlooking the Ligurian Sea.

The view from this restaurant cannot be effectively described. You just have to see it to believe it. It is magical.

Porto Venere

16 Monday Dec 2013

Posted by Lyn Douglas in Cinque Terre, Porto Venere

≈ 13 Comments

Tags

La Spezia, lerici, Monterosso, Porto Venere, Portofino, province of La Spezia, Rapallo, Santa Margherita

The first time I visited Porto Venere we took the boat from La Spezia to Monterosso and stopped for coffee at Porto Venere.

It is just so wonderful viewing this stunning coast-line from the water and then arriving by boat. It is only a short trip by boat or if you wish there is the option of a half day tour of the area.

Porto Venere is a town on the Ligurian coast in the province of La Spezia and another one of my favourite places in Italy. I spent more time in this gorgeous little town with its amazing view than I did in any of the 5 villages although they are all equally gorgeous

There are many eateries on the seafront but if you venture in to the back streets you will find the food and the prices to be less “touristy”

While staying in La Spezia I took the bus several times to Porto Venere to spend the day. I had my “favourite” rock where I would sit or lie in the sun and then slide off, like a seal, into the beautiful clear blue ocean. It is not far to wander to one of the many restaurants or bars for a lunch, coffee, or gelato.

Taking the local bus from La Spezia was very easy. The bus stop was only a 3 minute walk from my hotel and on the way to the bus stop I would stop by the tabacchi to buy my bus ticket.

Always remember to validate your bus ticket when you get on the bus.

Rather than staying in La Spezia or the Cinque Terre, Porto Venere is another great option for staying and using as a home base for all the day trips by boat or ferry to Cinque Terre, Portofino, Rapallo and Santa Margherita

From the port you can take boats to Lerici, la Spezzia, Cinque Terre, Palmaria or Portofino. Taxi boats are affordable too if you are at least 4 people. The trip to Portofino is certainly another highlight of this divine coastline.

Porto Venere reminds me of a fishing village on the Mediterranean without the noise of the city life. The sea views are amazing and the seafood is wonderful. If you enjoy photography you will be very busy with your camera.

The evening walks along the beach front watching the sunset are magic.

Riomaggiore – Cinque Terre

21 Monday Jan 2013

Posted by Lyn Douglas in Cinque Terre, Riomaggiore

≈ 14 Comments

Tags

Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, italy, riomaggiore

Riomaggiore is the first of the Cinque Terre one meets when travelling north from La Spezia.

It does not have its own beach but it still is on the water. The sea is not visible from the village’s main street.

If you would rather not sit or lie on the rocks to sun tan or swim in the sea at this village, I suggest you take the train to the sandy beaches of Monterosso or go to Portovenere.

Walking track between villages

Riomaggiore is known for its locally produced wine.

There are many seafood restaurants and affordable bars and numerous shops.

Riomaggiore has an exciting feel about it, certainly not to be missed when visiting the Cinque Terre

Riomaggiore at dusk

Manarola – Cinque Terre

14 Monday Jan 2013

Posted by Lyn Douglas in Cinque Terre, Manarola

≈ 9 Comments

Tags

Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, manarola, walking tracks

After lunch in Monterosso, and coffee in Vernazza we enjoyed our gelati in Manarolo

Manarola is the second smallest of the famous Cinque Terre towns frequented by tourists and is possibly the oldest village. The main industries are fishing and wine making.

In recent years, Manarola and its neighboring towns have become popular tourist destinations, particularly in the summer months.

Part of the walking path

Manarola, is another gorgeous village with mostly all of the houses bright and colourful.

I found the best way to see the villages completely is by boat. We went by boat up to Monterosso and then walked or caught the train back passing through all of the villages.

So, go by boat to see the villages from the water and then explore them individually by foot .

Corniglia – Cinque Terre

06 Sunday Jan 2013

Posted by Lyn Douglas in Cinque Terre, Corniglia

≈ 9 Comments

Tags

Cinque Terre, corniglia, Italian Riviera

Corniglia is not directly adjacent to the sea like the other 4 villages of the Cinque Terre. Instead, it is on the top of a promontory about 100 metres high, surrounded on three sides by vineyards and terraces and the fourth side descends steeply to the sea.

The first time I visited the Cinque Terre was by boat. This way you see the villages and really, the best way to see Corniglia is from the water.

To reach Corniglia, there is a climb of steps composed of 33 flights with 382 steps or, otherwise follow a vehicular road that, from the station, leads to the village. Sometimes a small bus runs up and down here.

The village stretches along the main road.

Corniglia is characterised by narrow roads and a terrace obtained in the rock from which all other four Cinque Terre’s villages, two on one side and two on the other, can be seen. The town planning structure presents also original characteristics compared to those of the other villages: the houses are lower set, and only more recently higher, similar to those of the villages of the hinterland.

There are houses in the Cinque Terre that are so isolated that the only way to reach them is by climbing or descending hundreds of steps. These houses are usually holiday cottages for those who are looking for complete privacy.

Vernazza – Cinque Terre

17 Monday Dec 2012

Posted by Lyn Douglas in Cinque Terre, Vernazza

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera, italy, Vernazza

Vernazza is one of the five towns that make up the Cinque Terre region. It is the fourth town heading north, has no car traffic and remains one of the truest “fishing villages” on the Italian Riviera

There are many great restaurants and cafes with spectacular views overlooking the sea. If you are looking for a place to stay in Vernazza or any of the villages in the Cinque Terre, there usually are signs outside of places offering accommodation and rooms for rent. Of course you can also book accommodation prior to visiting.

It is a fortified town which was once an active maritime base for one of the Italian families of nobility.

Tourism in Vernazza is the biggest industry, however, fishing, wine production and olive oil production are still main industries

On 25 October 2011, Vernazza was struck by torrential rains, massive flooding and mudslides that left the town buried in over 4 metres of mud and debris, causing over 100 million euro worth of damage. The town was evacuated and remained in a continued state of emergency. There has been another bad storm recently which has meant that the walking tracks have been closed.

The last time I was in the Cinque Terre my friends walked the tracks between each village however I chose to take the train. The tracks are mostly narrow, rocky and not always an easy walk and can be very hot even in spring or autumn.

Vernazza’s beach is off Piazza Marconi, within the protected harbour on the north western side.

Mosaic on walls in tunnels between villages

Vernazza offers expansive views of the hillside vineyards and the coast.

Looking back at the Cinque Terre from a boat

Monterosso – Cinque Terre

09 Sunday Dec 2012

Posted by Lyn Douglas in Cinque Terre, Monterosso

≈ 9 Comments

Tags

Cinque Terre, Monterosso

While staying in La Spezia I spent time in all 5 of the villages, known as Cinque Terre.

While there, I also visited San Terenzo, Lerice, Porto Venere and Tellaro and Sarzana

Today I am sharing with you Monterosso al Mare. Sadly, since my visit Monterosso has been extensively damaged by mudslides and flooding in October 2011

Monterosso is the largest of these 5 coastal villages with the most extensive sandy beach. The water is crystal clear and just gorgeous to swim in. In Summer, Monterosso is overrun by tourists.

I travelled to Monterosso by train from La Spezia, which truly is the best option. You can get to it by car but the road is very narrow and steep with many bends. Travelling between each village can be done by train or by foot. The walks are gorgeous as the views are unlimited. There is a small fee charged for walking these paths between villages.

The hilly area is covered in lush vegetation which include vines, olives and lemons of which they are famous for. Monterosso is also renowned for its white wines.

There are many hotels and restaurants catering to all budgets and tastes. You will also find there are many many places with signs out offering rooms for rent.

Next post we will visit another of the 5 villages known as the Cinque Terre – MOLTO BELLISIMO

La Spezia – Cinque Terre

03 Monday Dec 2012

Posted by Lyn Douglas in Cinque Terre, La Spezia

≈ 9 Comments

Tags

italy, italy on a budget, Italy travel, positano, Santa Margherita

Another lovely place I have spent some time at is the Cinque Terre and each time I have stayed at the Hotel Venezia in the town of La Spezia. La Spezia is not actually part of the Cinque Terre however to me it is the gateway to the Cinque Terre.

www.hotelvenezialaspezia.it

I can highly recommend this hotel. It is small and modest but clean, modern, inexpensive and the owner speaks a little English. The tariff does include breakfast. It is about 20 meters from the train station and is an easy walk. It is close to absolutely everything. You can take the train to any of the Cinque Terre or the bus to the local beaches and surrounding areas.

The local markets which are on every Friday in the centre of town.

It is located between Pisa and Genoa on the Ligurian Sea and is one of the main Italian military and commercial harbours and hosts the Arsenal of the Italian Navy.

You may find when you get there that you would like to stay in one of the 5 villages. There are signs out everywhere advertising rooms for rent.

It would be lovely to stay in these places but they are not as accessible as staying in La Spezia and certainly not easy to carry your luggage especially if you are traveling alone. When you are traveling with a friend or friends then it would be very easy to stay in one of the many places which you can find in each and every one of the Cinque Terre.

From La Spezia it is so easy to take the train to any of 5 villages.

You can also take the train to Santa Margherita and Portofino from La Spezia.

Portofino

Although the Cinque Terre is a popular tourist destination it does not appear to be very touristy and is certainly not expensive. The accommodation in general is very affordable, eating out is quite reasonable; the local transport is cheap and easy. Usually the only language spoken here is Italian so it would be advisable to have a few Italian words and phrases. I enjoyed a week here at the end of a 9 weeks stay in Italy. It was just so nice to spend the last week in 1 place relaxing and enjoying and having fun with the locals.

Cinque Terre, just gorgeous – a truly beautiful place to spend some time.

Travelling with Lyn

~ My experiences in Italy and the world

Category Archives: Cinque Terre

Lerici – Italian Riviera

Belforte – Vernazza

Porto Venere

Riomaggiore – Cinque Terre

Manarola – Cinque Terre

Corniglia – Cinque Terre

Vernazza – Cinque Terre

Monterosso – Cinque Terre

La Spezia – Cinque Terre