Ukuqasha kokuvakasha e-La Spezia

The Gulf of the Poets, named after Lord Byron and Shelley who lived here and took inspiration from its beauty, is dominated by Portovenere and the 3 Islands (Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto), which all are part of Unesco World Heritage Sites. The 3 small inaccessible Islands are located just in front of Portovenere, the pearl of the Gulf, and are rich in vegetation and animals. Their beauty, especially at sunset, is breathtaking! With a 1 hour tour, starting from the port of La Spezia (Banchina Revel), I'll guide you through the hidden gems of the Gulf and the 3 Islands: • Torre Scola, a 16th century military fort built at the center of the Gulf and damaged during the Napoleonic wars • Portovenere, the true pearl of the Gulf, with it enchanted village and San Pietro ancient romanic church, known as the world's most beautiful one • "Azzurra" grotto in Palmaria, shining gold at sunset • The Tino old-lighthouse, one of the few remaining in Europe • "Madonna Stella Maris" statue emerging from the sea outside Tinetto • The dismissed cableway used until the II World Wars to load the marble from the local quarry • The many unique military installations from the 1st and 2nd World Wars Other things to note We'll wait for you at the boarding point (HopHop Boat - Piattaforma Galleggiante), 10 minutes before the departure time. From late September forward, I suggest who feels cold to b

We will meet up in Manarola, and after a quick visit of the village, which will be nice and quiet early in the morning, we will start our adventure by taking a deep breath and hiking up to Volastra, a wonderful hamlet as far off the beaten path as you can get in this area. The hike is straight uphill and it will make you sweat, we promise! There will be plenty of visual rewards along the path, though, because you will get the most spectacular views of Manarola and the sea, almost like you were a drone (only without flying off the rocks!). Then, after approximately 1 hour, we will reach our destination. And there, only there, will you feel like you have earned your well deserved wine tasting. We will drink the wine of one of the greatest local winemakers right on his vineyard while looking at the Mediterranean directly below, almost touching the sky and rejoicing in the power of nature. After the wine tasting, our experience is finished. From Volastra, you can choose to continue on the trail to Corniglia, the next Cinque Terre town, go back down the trail to Manarola, or take the eco-bus down to Manarola at a cost of 2.50 per person. Other things to note Rain can be serious in the Cinque Terre, so if it is raining too heavily, or if the National Park issues a weather alert, we won't be able to do the hike. In that case, we will take the eco-bus up to Volastra at an additional cost of 2.50 per person.

You will be taken into La Spezia Cinque Terre's food scene, enjoying traditional dishes and the best street food specialties, throughout a progressive meal taking place in La Spezia city centre. ​This dining experience incorporates five between traditional and street food served in different eateries. You will taste some of the following specialties in our La Spezia -Cinque Terre Food Tour (according to products availability): - Sgabei and Frisceu: small fried pancake with vegetables and fritters made from bread dough - Mesciua: chickpea, beans and wheat grains soup, typical of La Spezia - Testaroli or panigacci - a sort of pancake, boiled and enriched with pesto, oil, parmesan cheese and mushrooms sauce (testaroli), alternatively baked, served with cheese and cured meat (panigacci). - Fried Calamari and Anchovies: freshly fished locally and cooked directly by local fishermen. - Farinata: a delicious chickpea pancake cooked in a flaming oven. The best one is soft in the center with a lighty crisp coating. - Ice cream or dessert: enjoy the finest artisanal treats in La Spezia! PRIVATE TOURS AVAILABLE! CONTACT US. PLEASE NOTICE THAT THE TOUR WILL BE HELD IN ITALIAN/ENGLISH/FRENCH. CONTACT US FOR OTHER LANGUAGES

Superb hand-made traditional cuisine, whose simple yet precious secrets will be shared in a friendly, homely environment facing the Gulf of Poets. You will have what I had when I was a child at my home: a full immersion experience in the authentic Italian cuisine. Specifically, we will travel together back and forth from Liguria and Campania discovering traditional recepies, made of selected, genuine and local ingredients (and there will be much more than Pesto and tiramisù!). Handmade pasta, cakes, savory pie all easy recipes that you may do again at your home. I like to cook seasonal foods and I love to take fresh vegetables from my garden (when there are)!! We’ll learn how to transform those ingredients in delicious dishes. The cooking lesson will be paired with complementary Italian wine and home-made spirits, which will make your experience unforgettable(!). If you'd like to take a class at a time not avaible, please get in touch, I'll try to schedule you a new slot. For private classes, I can organize vegan or vegetarian lessons! My class can also be offered in italian, of course and I m studing spanish too!! Other things to note I live with my husband and 3 furry friends, 2 dogs, 1 cat. They are very friendly and are ready for snuggles. Please,tell me about your food allergy, or if you are vegetarian when you book the class!

What makes our day special are the secret unknown alleys around the hamlets which only a local knows! We walk among the 5 Terre where we see the main attractions & then take less-explored paths where vegetable gardens, vineyards & genuine atmosphere come to life away from crowded souvenir shop areas. I will take you around at least 3 of the 5 hamlets; depends on the time you have! Our day together in paradise starts off in La Spezia (or directly in the 1st village we visit if you're lucky enough to sleep in one of the hamlets!) & we head into the heart of the National Park together by train We will either take a wild nature path between 2 of the hamlets or opt for a "softer" option: walk the villages & the easier short paths around them. We explore the terre where I will tell you about historical, cultural & environmental aspects of life here. Questions appreciated! A break for lunch is a blessing; where depends on you! Either a quick stop in a traditional bistrot, munch focaccia & pizza on a bench with sea view, a complete gastronomic experience in a fresh seafood restaurant or a sensorial wine tasting & light lunch with a renown local sommelier! Our experience usually ends in Monterosso where you may take the ferry back enriching your experience by giving you the chance to see the towns from a different point of view.