We're looking for something to fill the free day in Cinque Terre while on the Best of Europe tour. We're not big CT fans, and we've hiked the trail. Has anyone been to Porto Venere? It looks like an interesting town, a ferry ride from the CT proper.
Last year on Village Italy we stayed in Levanto, and walked to Bonassola. That was a pleasant day. Perhaps do that again and carry on to Framura?
We're open to ideas. How did you spend an extra day in the CT?
Portovenere is a beautiful picture postcard town, larger than the Cinque Terre villages, more options for dining and hotels. I highly fecommend a visit there, very easy by ferry.
We really enjoyed Portovenere also. There are wonderful views and outdoor cafes.
Yup! Lovely ferry trip, great town to walk around and photograph. Check out info here on the A Path to Lunch website.
Definitely recommend Porto Venere (Portovenere?) Depends on the time of year whether the ferry will be running, but if it isn't, it's fairly easy to get there by train to La Spezia and then bus onwards. We did it as a day trip when we were staying in Bonassola. Another great place that can be reached by bus from La Spezia (about the same distance as Portovenere) is Lerici.
Thanks, everyone. I'm assuming the ferry will be running; it'll be late April, well after Easter.
It sounds like just what I'm looking for.
Well Jane, I did the same thing a few years ago in October 2013. I had been in Portovenere for lunch exactly 50 years earlier when an exchange student in Italy, and thought it was the most beautiful place I had ever been. I had only a vague memory of this, so this became something of a pilgrimage. The sea looked calm to me, but I was told it was too rough for the ferry to go. Maybe on the return trip. So I took the train to La Spezia, walked several blocks to the bus stop, waited for the bus, then took the bus to Portovenere, about 90 minutes in all. The town is pretty, an old church, an abandoned castle as I remember, an interesting cemetery. Some shops and restaurants. But then, no ferry to return either, so I repeated the trio by bus, walk, and train, another 90 quite boring minutes. So, my guidance: if the ferries are moving, go to Portovenere for the day. If not, very possible in April, have another wonderful plan B, of which there are so many in that area.
Thanks, Larry. You're right, we should always have a plan B. Which is usually just picking a spot and walking around, finding churches, museums, and lunch. Can't go wrong with that in Italy!
Portovenere, definitely my recommendation. We stopped there for a visit and (included) lunch while on the Village Italy tour. I'm sorry I can't remember the name of the restaurant but someone at the tour office might know (they can often help with this-I had that experience once with a restaurant in Venice). It was a large white building facing the sea-glorious views all round; not very helpful as I'm sure it's not the only one in town. Anyway, the seafood was outstanding and our host and hostess were charming and delightful. As Larry and others have said, it's a lovely and picturesque town with castle ruins, a wonderful church and back streets to explore. And terrific gelato, if that interests you! One of my favorite, albeit brief stops on the VI tour.
Andi, when was your VI tour? Ours (this past June/July) didn't stop in Portovenere. Maybe someone else from your tour will remember the name of the restaurant.
I'm enjoying the responses I'm getting here. Thank you all.
Jane, I will check as I am still in touch with several of our tour members. Our family took the tour in June, 2015, so a while ago. I know they change up their itineraries often (to please people like me who do like to repeat tours!) but if I can't find the restaurant name for you somewhere, I bet someone in the tour office might know. Our guide was Tricia (fabulous guide and a very special woman!), so you may even be able to use that information with the office to narrow it down? I know she was good friends with the man and woman who owned the place. If I have no success with my search, I think just about any place along the water front will be equally as wonderful! I'll PM you if/when I find the info!
Adding....consensus of 3 folks THINK it was Il Gambero and here's the website from on TA: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g194862-d2522866-Reviews-Il_Gambero-Porto_Venere_Italian_Riviera_Liguria.html If it isn't the same (sure looks like it from the photos!), I bet it would be wonderful anyway!
Thanks, Andi. Tricia was our guide as well, and she was wonderful. I may decide to email her and ask, or we can just try the one you've mentioned, or just wing it! Heck, we're not even sure Portovenere is where we're going yet. But the odds are increasing...
Edit to add: Andi, I just checked the restaurant's website. The menu looks great, and reasonably priced. A couple of items are out of our budget, but most of them are fine.
I agree with the others Porto Venere is definitely worth a visit. If the ferry is operating it offers a very nice view of the five towns, especially on a sunny afternoon.
BTW, when I clicked through on the link to TA above the map shows the restaurant to be a little ways outside of the main part of town. Perhaps they were thinking of Al Gabbiano which is right by the ferry dock?
My group had a nice lunch at Elettra which is right next door. Upstairs patio is nice on a warm day.
ETA: Google maps shows its about a 35 minute 2.3 KM walk from Il Gambero to the part of town I’m thinking of.
