Page 158 - DK Eyewitness: Back Roads Northern and Central Italy (Travel Guide)

156 BACK ROADS nORTHeRn AnD CenTRAL ITALy

Right The curving bay of Levanto, flanked by
two wooded headlands

Where to Stay
LEVANTO
A Durmi inexpensive
Beautifully appointed bright and airy
rooms around a quiet courtyard garden
that has plenty of relaxing shady spots.
Mini apartments are also available.
Via Viviani 12, 19015; 0187 800 823;
www.adurmi.it
Stella Maris moderate–expensive
Colourful frescoes and antiques fill the
rooms of this lovely 19th-century
palazzo. Ample breakfasts are served
under a pergola in the garden.
Via Marconi 4, 19015; 0187 808 258;
www.hotelstellamarislevanto.com
MONTEROSSO AL MARE
Porto Roca expensive q Bonassola Cinque Terre. However, the historic
Soak up the sea views from the beautiful La Spezia; 19011 centre provides plenty to see as well.
verandas, terrace and garden of this A little quieter than Sestri Levante, the The medieval walls, the Castello di
luxurious hotel, set on the headland town of Bonassola shelters behind its San Giorgio (not open to public), Torre
and with private beach below.
Via Corone 1, 19016; 0187 817 065; sea wall, on top of which a boardwalk dell’Orologio and the pretty Loggia
www.portoroca.it; closed Nov–Mar stretches the length of the dark, sandy del Commune all date back to the
beach. In the town centre, the Chiesa 13th century. But perhaps best of all
Other options
La Spiaggia (Via Lungomare 98, 19016; di Santa Caterina has a sumptuous is the lovely Chiesa di Sant’Andrea, a
0187 817 567; www.laspiaggiahotel. Baroque interior with two stunning beautiful example of Ligurian Gothic
com) offers beachfront rooms. processional crosses of intricate with its striped, green serpentine
silverwork. Paintings of ships hang and white Carrara marble façade
CORNIGLIA
on the walls – ex votos from thankful and delicate lacy rose window.
Cristiana Ricci inexpensive
There are not many accommodation sailors. On a cliff west of the town, ª Take SP43 past the train station,
choices in Corniglia, but Cristiana the Cappella della Madonnina della then SP370, which finishes with a
has four small, quiet rooms. Punta beckons for a sunset walk. steep descent to Monterosso. Park
Via Fieschi 123, 19018; 0338 937 6547; ª Follow signs for Levanto. There is at the seafront, or on Via Roma.
www.bebcorniglia.com a large car park next to the tourist
office on the seafront. Walking in the Cinque terre
As well as the famous Sentiero
w Levanto Azzuro (Blue Trail), which connects
La Spezia; 19015 all five villages, there are numerous
With the best beach in the area – long well-marked trails linking the shrines
and sandy – and good opportunities and hilltop hamlets of the Parco
Nazionale delle Cinque Terre.
for kayaking and surfing, Levanto is a Some of these trails can be covered
Below The village of Corniglia, set on 100-m destination for lovers of the outdoors. by bike or on horseback. Pick up
(330-ft) high cliffs It’s also a good entry point for the maps, bus and train timetables and
information on the Cinque Terre card
(required to access the trails) from
information points or tourist offices at
the train stations. The park’s website,
www.parconazionale5terre.it, is also
a useful source of information.
e Monterosso al Mare
La Spezia; 19016
Monterosso is the first of the five
Cinque Terre villages encountered
when approaching from the west,
and the only one to be built on the
flat. A tunnel hewn out of rock

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