A couple of places spring to mind instantly as you start searching for you
ideal place: the Far East with its exotic culture, the glamorous Côte D'Azure,
or perhaps a more economic choice of the newly fashionable Adriatic coast. As
you are toying with these ideas, you tumble through a claim in one of your
brochures 'the most romantic coast in Italy'. Where is that, you ask? And your
search begins in earnest.
The Gulf of La Spezia, long known as the Gulf of Poets is shaped like a
gentle amphitheatre. To the west are Portovenere and its small islets, and the
Tramonti area leading to the Cinque Terre, to the east, Lerici with its
unforgettable views from the castle, and further on, wonderful little bays, one
of which is Fiascherino.
Fiascherino is so small that you will only find it on a detailed map; this is
just as well, because that gives you the chance to make a great discovery. Plus
there is a good chance that you will not find any other English speakers around
you!
Well, that was one of the crunchers for us, oh dear me, nearly 10 years ago
when we bought the place. We found a dramatic, rocky coast line with
Mediterranean vegetation in abundance and with their theatre like places, like
Lerici, Tellaro, or Montemarcello. It feels like walking into the set of
'Cavalière Rusticana'. You almost wait for the singing to begin.
Lerici, famous as a location for winter and summer holidays by the sea,
offers an enchanting landscape a peaceful vacation full of opportunities. It is
of Roman origin and was the favourite destination of poets, writers, and
artists.
Fiascherino is a 45 minutes drive from Pisa, the nearest airport served by
Ryan Air. The drive to Firenze is 60 minutes or 90 minutes depending whether you
are Italian or English! A train service links the airport to the nearest large
town Sarzana with a connecting bus services to Lerici.
The place is full of public and private beaches and you have ample choice
whether you want 'romantic' or wide sandy beaches, and of course how deep your
pocket is, will also be a deciding factor. Swimming, riding, and sailing are all
nearby. Good shopping facilities at the nearby Sarzana, which is again a short
drive away with good Italian quality clothes and shoes and at the end of August,
every year, they hold an antiques market, which is fabuluous.
You are spoilt for choice for restaurants, which mainly specialise in
Ligurian cuisine, fish being the main dish on the cost with lots of fresh
vegetables and of course, the light processo, or spumati, the perfect company
for a fish dinner in a warm climate.
The place is so versatile, and when we have had enough fish we drive up to
the cool mountains for a hearty meat dinner. Spectacular roads and the lack of
sign posts make it quite an exciting event.
We have been going there for the past 10 years, hoping that one day we will
have had enough of the place, but it has not happened yet! Fancy trying it?
Enhance your stay with the convenience of a private residence.
