Page 15 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italian Riviera

DISC OVERING THE IT ALIAN RIVIER A  13

Day 3 Love”) between Manarola and
Sestri Levante and Levanto Riomaggiore. There are plenty of
For the best view of the two bays restaurants with a view here. Try
at Sestri Levante (p120) – the the local schiacchetrá wine at
sandy Baia delle Favole, loved any of these restaurants. Return
by Hans Christian Andersen, to Levanto if you are travelling
and the more intimate Baia del by car, or continue on to La
Silenzio – head for the 1920s Spezia (pp128–9).
Grand Hotel dei Castelli. After­
wards, spend some time on the To extend your trip…
beach or continue on to another Walk or cycle the Strada
excellent beach at Levanto dei Santuari (p123), high
(p121). End the day exploring above the terraces of olives
the Ligurian Gothic church of and vines, with spectacular
Sant’ Andrea, with white marble views of the coast.
and green serpentine stripes. Church of San Pietro at Portovenere,
Riviera di Levante
Day 5
La Spezia and Portovenere Romanesque church of San
to Noli Paragorio before moving on to
Experience bustling city life at La the Grotte di Toirano (pp150–51).
Spezia (pp128–9). Explore its little Take time out to appreciate the
gem of a museum, the Museo caverns of stalagmites, stalactites
Amedeo Lia (p128), which is full and crystal formations. Next,
of paintings, miniatures and continue on to the historic city
enamels. Next, stop at the of Albenga (pp152–5) where the
important naval museum, the prime sights are Piazza dei Leoni,
Museo Tecnico Navale (p128). the Roman Baptistry (p155) and
From here, a narrow, winding the Cathedral of San Michele
road leads to the beauty spot of (p154) with its fine bell tower.
Portovenere (p126). Walk to the Stop at San Remo (p168) for the
striped church of San Pietro on night; you may wish to try your
Boats moored at the idyllic resort of the headland for beautiful views, luck at the Casino (p168).
Sestri Levante which the poets Byron and
Shelley enjoyed. Head back to To extend your trip…
Day 4 the motorway, bypass Genoa, Tour the ancient villages
Cinque Terre to La Spezia and spend the night in the of the Armea and Crosia
Board the train at Levanto to medieval town of Noli (p145). Valleys (pp164–5).
travel to the five villages of the There are train connections here.
Cinque Terre – Monterosso,
Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola Day 6 Day 7
and Riomaggiore (pp122–5). It is Grotte di Toirano and Dolceacqua, Hanbury
possible to explore all five villages Albenga to San Remo Botanical Gardens or
by rail. Be sure to walk the 2 km Start the day early in Noli Balzi Rossi
(1 mile) Via dell’Amore (“Path of (p145) with a visit to the lovely Wander through the old town
(La Pigna) and visit the water­
front at San Remo (p168). The
Casinò Municipale (p168)
is a wonderful example of
the many Art Nouveau villas
here. At the next stop,
Dolceacqua (pp170–71), follow
in the footsteps of Monet who
famously painted the Ponte
Vecchio. Try the local Rossese
wine here. Opt to finish the
tour with a visit to either the
beautiful Hanbury Botanical
Gardens (pp174–5) or the
nine caves and museum at the
prehistoric site of Balzi Rossi
(closed Mon, p173), which is
next to the French border,
Colourful Riomaggiore, one of the pretty villages of the Cinque Terre before returning to Genoa.

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