La Spezia

The Gulf of La Spezia is called the Gulf of Poets because of its attraction to some of the world's most celebrated poets and writers who came, and even died, here such as Piercy and Mary Shelley, Lord Byron and D.H Lawrence.

There are small villages scattered around the gulf. Lerici, the largest village on the Gulf of Poets, sits across the bay from Portovenere this last being a a Unesco World Heritage site www.portovenere.it

Slightly further west towards Portofino and Genoa lay the stunning Cinque Terre (The Five Lands) comprises five villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore also a Unesco World Heritage Site. www.cinqueterreonline.com

Continuing further west towards Genova you will reach the world renowned sea village of Portofino.

Portofino and the Tigullio Gulf are symbols representing Italy throughout the world. The coast is a sequence of fashionable resorts with their marinas, pastel-coloured houses, first-rate sports facilities and the seductive atmosphere of the Dolce Vita.But perhaps the most striking thing for the traveler is the beauty of the seascapes, with some of the most celebrated views in Italy, suspended between the intense blue of the sea and the green mountains.