La Spezia
The base for this tour is the port of La Spezia which owes most of its development to the 1860s, when the Naval Arsenal was built here. It offers a real flavour of Italian life with relatively few tourists but plenty of good local restaurants to explore each evening, particularly in the pedestrianised city centre and an attractive seafront promenade lined with parks and cafes. Sights include the naval museum, the Museo Tecnico Navale, archaeological museum, which is housed in the Museo del Castello and Museo Civico, which contains works by Titian and Bellini.
The Cinque Terre
The rocky stretch of coastline from Monterosso al Mare to Riomaggiore is known as the Cinque Terre, referring to the five villages that cling to the cliffs and is one of the most beautiful and spectacular coastlines in Europe. The day trip to explore these villages goes by train directly from La Spezia in one direction that offers lovely views of the coast, stopping off en-route to explore the villages and the other by boat to offer the view of the picturesque villages (Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore) from the sea.
Pisa and Lucca
Pisa is famed for its Leaning Tower, which tilts at an alarming angle, forming part of the “Field of Miracles” that also includes the Duomo and Baptistery. Lucca is enclosed by tree-lined walls, offering lovely views of the town dotted with palaces, museums and Romanesque churches, of which the most beautiful are San Michele in Foroand the Duomo di San Martino.
Portofino Peninsula and Santa Margherita
Portofino is the most exclusive harbour and resort town in Italy, crammed with the yachts of the wealthy. It enjoys a spectacular setting and is exceptionally picturesque, lined with colourful houses, cafés and bars. Above the town lies the church of San Giorgio, containing relics said to be of the dragon-slayer and a castle. Santa Margherita is an elegant seaside resort with palatial villas lining the seafront and a lovely place for a gentle stroll and gelato!
Pistoia & Carrara
Pistoia’s citizens were once known for their violence and their favoured weapon was a tiny dagger known as a Pistoia, after which the city was named. Sights here include an impressive Duomo dating from the 12th century, hospital and orphanage del Ceppo, founded in 1277 and the 14th century Capella del Tau (Chapel of the T) so named after the monks who wore a “T” on their cloaks, signifying a crutch and the work they did with the sick and lame. Carrara is renowned forits marble quarries (it provided the stone for Michelangelo’s David), but is a handsome town in its own right with a marble-rich Duomo.
Lerici & Portovenere
A leisurely seaside day takes us to Portovenere, one of the most romantic villages on the Ligurian coast with a cluster of narrow streets lined with pastel-coloured houses. There are three sights of note – the 12th century church of San Lorenzo, 13th century church of San Pietro and clifftop castle. The day also takes you to the chic seaside resort of Lerici, near where Shelley spent the last 4 years of his life, boasting an impressive castle dating from the 13th century, which now houses a museum.