Portovenere
The Cinque Terre is spectacular to view from the perspective of the Mediterranean Sea. Stunning rugged vertical rock faces , rocky outcrops , mottled with softer areas of vegetation , ancient terraced vineyards and of course the famous colourful villages clinging, nestled in the dramatic landscape .
Visiting by land is to be experienced, but the sea option is something most visitors overlook.
Ferries leave from La Spezia harbour but are often overcrowded carrying up o 300 visitors at a time, so to an extent you can experience the beauty, but lacks the tranquility and intimacy of the smaller Cinque Terre boat tours. Yacht and motor boat tours of the Cinque Terre are another option, these more private tours offer the intimacy and the ability to get closer to the maritime restricted areas, not to mention the alluring possibility swimming areas and sea caves. A memorable way to spend a day wether you’re visiting by car , rail or a shore excursion in La Spezia .
Portovenere- church of San Pietro
Coastline Portovenere
Cinque Terre yachts and motor yachts leave from the port of La Spezia , giving the opportunity to pass, and even stop at other stunning villages such as Portovenere, a dramatic village, once the site of important Roman temples to Venus and Jupiter , these days a chic stop over and mooring area for celebrities and super yachts . As you leave the Golfo for the open sea on your left is the sparsely inhabited forested Island of Palmaria , a stunning area to admire the sun set.
Enroute you pass through the Golfo dei Poeti named after the poets who were inspired by the area Lord Byron,Percy Bysshe Shelley and Mary Shelley, while Italian author Mario Soldati lived in the small fishing village of Tellaro. Mary Shelley and Percy Bysshe Shelley lived in an isolated old boat house called Casa Magni, anchoring their sailing boat in Lerici another beautiful village of the Golfo.
Cinque Terre- landscape from the sea
Coastline of the Cinque Terre marine protected area
Swimming in the Cinque Terre
Red rocks swimming area Cinque Terre
Passing historical villages such as Fezzano and La Grazia, where hidden treasures such as the ancient
Varignano Roman villa once an important Roman Port and decadent residence . Our Smaller boats are docked in the villages themselves offering a convenient way to explore the heart of the world heritage site directly.
The landscape of Fezzano is thought be featured in the background of Botocelli’s Venus, the subject , Simonetta Vespucci born Simonetta Cattaneo in 1453 whose family had a villa in the area .
Botticelli Venus Golfo dei Poeti
