La Spezia is a small but fascinating city located in the inner part of the Gulf of Poets. Although it is often only considered as the gateway to the most famous Cinque Terre and other Gulf locations, it deserves a thorough visit instead.
By Italian standards the city is quite "new". In fact, its expansion began in the 19th century, when Napoleon Bonaparte began to think that it would be a perfect naval base for the imperial fleet. La Spezia still retains its character today and is still an important base for the Italian Navy. Its deep-water port allows the landing of container ships and has also become an important port for large cruise ships.
Many late 19th and early 20th century buildings can be seen in the historic centre, next to the many museums and monuments that adorn the city. It is a lively city, with a large pedestrian area full of shops, small restaurants and bars for all tastes and a venue for various kinds of events, especially during spring and summer.

Portovenere, at the western end of the Gulf of Poets, has nothing to envy to the Cinque Terre in terms of spectacle. It is a perfectly preserved jewel immersed in a unique landscape. The perfect array of tall buildings with colorful facades facing the sea was also of medieval origin and played a defensive role in the past.
The church of San Pietro, which is almost 800 years old, built on the promontory at the end of the village, is perhaps one of the most romantic monuments in the world. The imposing Castello Doria dominates the entire village from the top of the hill behind it.

Riomaggiore is the first of the Cinque Terre coming from La Spezia or Portovenere. Its origin dates back tothe 14th century when the large and rich church of San Giovanni Battista was built.
Riomaggiore was built along the two banks of the river Major (now covered by the road) and this is evidenced by the shape similar to a snake of the village seen in plan. The houses, high and narrow, follow the sides of this hidden river that extends to the sea line. The village is all stacked on steep terrain and the houses have two entrances: one at the level of the main "carrugio" and one higher up on the back on an even narrower street. This allowed the inhabitants to escape if the village was attacked by the Saracens from the sea. The ruins of the castle and the dozens of dry boats along the last part of the village add pathos to the unique atmosphere of Riomaggiore.

Corniglia is the only village in the Cinque Terre not touched by the sea. In fact, it was built high on a cliff starting from the 11th century, although there are traces of Roman presence well before that.

Probably this is why it is the least "touristic" of all, yet no less fascinating than the other villages. In the centre, the 14th century Church of San Pietro, entirely built in local stone, is considered the best Gothic-Ligurian monument of all the Cinque Terre. The best part of Corniglia is in front of this church and extends vertically right above the sea. On the other side vast vineyards in a less steep territory.
Corniglia is not a point of arrival for our tours, because it has no landing on the sea, but if you want you can reach it by train or local minibus.

The largest of the Cinque Terre villages is probably also the most crowded in summer, perhaps because it has a large and equipped beach. Monterosso consists of an ancient village and a more recent one built around the beach of Fegina. However, the historic center of the village has retained the character and charm of a typical village of the Cinque Terre with its tall, colourful buildings that are close together around the "carugi".

San Giovanni Battista is a remarkable example of Gothic-Genoese architecture in the square in the centre of the ancient village where the Baroque Oratorio Mortis et Orationis is also located. A small fortified hill dominates the two faces of Monterosso and in the promontory in front of it there is the Aurora Tower, well preserved and which still seems to be in the custody of the village.

Monterosso is also famous for having hosted Nobel prize winner Eugenio Montale for several summers.