The beauty of the coast and the maritime villages are, undoubtedly, the main attraction of the area; however, La Spezia has in store a few surprises. A walk along the promenade reveals a great panorama of the whole bay, with the Alpi Apuane dominating the view. Another scenic spectacle can be admired from S.Giorgio’s Castle, renovated over time and recently restored to house the Museo Civico Formentini and the interesting archaeological collection. Among the other museums, noteworthy are the CAMeC – the centre for modern and contemporary art - exhibiting a vast collection from the early 20th century, and the Museo Civico Amedeo Lia, with masterpieces from Sebastiano del Piombo, Tintoretto, Tiziano and Pontormo.
Lerici and Portovenere, in front of one to the other, are must-see destinations. The symbol of Lerici is the impressive Castle, one of the most interesting defence buildings of the region, from which one can enjoy an unobstructed view to Palmaria Island. Narrow ‘carruggi’ and steep stairs wind around the picturesque houses of Lerici’s old town.
Art, nature and the sea are the three elements that set apart Portovenere, with its small port at the bottom of the old town, the steep stairs that give the impression of hanging onto the cliff and the colour of the houses mixed with the green of the maquis. One should also visit the small S. Pietro’s church, which seems to be all one with the rock it was built on, and the islets of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto, now belonging to the Porto Venere Natural Park.
Less known, yet charming, are Ameglia, Tellaro, Bocca di Magra and Montemarcello, immersed in a gorgeous scenery. A steep slope to the sea, with multicoloured houses hanging onto the rock and terraces with vineyards and olive groves, cliffs and coves open to a deep blue sea: one feels to have entered the Cinque Terre when such a landscape, so marvellous it resembles a painting, completely surrounds them.
Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore are linked by an incomparable beauty like nowhere else. They should be visited following the trails that connect one to the other. The traveller will enjoy the treasures of art and history, and will discover the remotest corners of the area filled with colours and the scent of the agave, the broom and the mimosa that accompany each step.
Past the Cinque Terre, the itinerary follows the coast where nature dominates and the towns provide with all the comforts. Also known as the Valle dei Borghi Rotondi (the ‘valley of the round-shaped villages’), Val di Vara is dotted with old and charming villages where streets, squares and houses follow a plan around the church or the castle, according to the medieval urban planning. Fresh streams cross the dense woods and the green valleys.
Remarkable are the Castle overlooking Varese Ligure, built around the church of S. Filippo Neri and S. Teresa d’Avila, and the Brugnato Cathedral, erected upon an old Benedictine settlement now visible behind glass walls. Val di Magra is a mixture of different landscapes, laid between two mountain ranges and crossed by the homonymous river. Old villages, characterized by their medieval plans are scattered around this expanse on the border with Tuscany. In addition to a visit to the two Fortresses and the Cathedral, every year Sarzana hosts cultural events and festivals to celebrate the local products. The Guinigi Tower, 33 meters high, rises above the town of Ortonovo, famous for being close to one of the nation’s most important archaeological sites – Luni – with the ruins of the ancient Roman town.