Portovenere, Italy Hotels, Vacations, Tourism

The ancient, narrow-laned village of PORTOVÉNERE sits astride a spit of land on the very tip of the southwestern arm of the bay, blessed with breathtaking views, a memorably tranquil atmosphere and a string of three islets just offshore, each smaller and rockier than the last. The bus ride from La Spezia is a frenetic affair, with some hair-raising bends, but it gives fine views of the bay and the islands; however, the views are just as good from the boats which depart as regularly as buses. You enter through a twelfth-century towered gate built by the Genoese, who fortified this spot in opposition to Pisan … more »