My husband and I and some friends are going to be in Porte Venere for a anniversary celebration for 6 nights mid September. We have a dinner one night and a boat cruise another day, other than that we are looking for day trips (we'll be renting a car). We've all been to Cinque Terre before but are open to spending a day re-visiting. Also thinking of Lucca and San Gimignano. San Gimignano might be a bit far for a day trip, any other ideas closer? Thank you
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
1026 posts
I would vote for the south side of the bay - San Terezno, Lerici and Tellaro. You can take the ferry from PV across the bay and explore the towns. ST is an ex-fishing town and sleepier but connected to more resorty Lerici via an oceanfront walkway and Tellaro is in like an undiscovered CT town.
Lucca and Pisa both are in easy reach via car or train. Pietrasanta is a cute little arty town on the coast - probably an easy visit on the way to either of those.
North of CT is a whole series of towns Sestri Levante, Chiavari (local's favorite) all also accessible by train or car.
Here is a list of hilltowns around La Spezia within an hour or so (these are cribbed from sources around the web - not personal recommendations)
- Fosdinovo - Great views, good churches, and the region's best castle (and a unique hotel).
- Castelnuovo Magra - Panoramic views and the ruin of an historic castle with a maze of lanes.
- Ortonovo - In the foothills of the Apuan Alps, it also has a prominent sanctuary and forest paths.
- Nicola - Occupying its own knobby hill, it's the most medieval town and has a good restaurant.
- Vezzano Ligure - Two towns - the older perched above the valley; the newer, at age 400, is higher still.
- Ameglia - Ex-home to the Counts of Luni, its castle is surrounded by medieval lanes and houses.
- Montemarcello - A Roman army outpost became a movie-set-pretty Ligurian village.
Have a great trip,
=Tod
Posted by
Boston
1770 posts
For the highly recommended day trip to Lerici / San Terenzo a group can afford a boat to take you across the Gulf as the ferry schedule is likely to be inhibiting. Look along the Portovenere dock (molo) for signs or inquire at the tourist info office. There's also this boat cooperative: https://barcaioliportovenere.com/?lang=en and boat taxi: http://www.portoveneretaxiboat.com/
There's also a small boat ferry across the channel to Palmaria where you can hike, swim and picnic with some fabulous views: https://www.apathtolunch.com/2014/09/portovenere-travel-guide-for-2020-top.html
Posted by
OP
Seattle, WA, USA
29 posts
Thank you so much for all the great ideas and resource links. I've passed them along to my friends so we can all start planning. So very helpful, and very intrigued by the testaroli. - Janet