Are you planning a fall break in Italy? After all, this colorful season is just around the corner! If you are looking for a charming destination full of character and entertaining activities, consider enjoying autumn in Liguria – particularly in the Bay of Poets (or the Bay of La Spezia).
The fantastic scenery here is a feast for your eyes and soul. The name stems from the inspiration and impact that the area had on poets and artists. Among them: were writers David Herbert Lawrence and Percy Bysshe Shelley, writer and painter George Sand, and poet Lord Byron.
As one of the most beautiful stretches of the Ligurian Riviera, the Bay of Poets is famous for its idyllic sea landscapes and beaches.
However, the local territory offers more than just summer beach tourism. Small villages with ancient traditions, local artistic legacy, delicious wine & food, and the strategic location between the Cinque Terre and Tuscany are some of the features that make the Bay of La Spezia a great destination even for a visit in off-peak seasons like autumn.
Village Hopping
The Bay of Poets is home to some exquisite, little-known gems ideally located next to each other and near world-famous destinations like Cinque Terre and Portofino in Liguria, the Versilia Riviera in Tuscany, and Milan in Lombardy.
SELECT A GUIDE:
click to read the dedicated guide with attractions and activities (links open in a new window).
From Portovenere and La Spezia you can catch the ferryboat that takes you directly to the Cinque Terre (La Spezia also offers train service from its central station to each village) or taxi boats for any destination of your choice.
The importance and uniqueness of this part of the Ligurian Coast were recognized by UNESCO, which listed Portovenere and the Cinque Terre as a World Heritage Site.
Nature & Eco-Tourism
The Gulf of La Spezia is home to the beautiful Island of Palmaria and the Islets of Tino and Tinetto, as well as to the Regional Nature Park of Portovenere and its Protected Marine Area. The neighboring territory is also another safeguarded sanctuary thanks to the Cinque Terre National Park and its Marine Protected Area.
These protected areas offer the opportunity to enjoy trekking and cycling itineraries, diving and other water sports, and even eno-gastronomic routes.
SELECT A GUIDE:
Click on each thumbnail to learn more about each nature reserve, local fauna and flora, and activities (links open in a new window).
Foodie Fall: wine and seasonal cuisine
With the picturesque colors and that particular feeling that is unique to autumn, visiting vineyards and wineries during fall is an enriching experience. Foodies can indulge in wine-tasting sessions and guided tastings of local products and recipes.
A fun activity for adults and children alike is to get your aprons on and join a cooking lesson with local chefs. The experience usually ends at the table, where participants enjoy their culinary creations.
Autumn Events in and around Portovenere
- The Golfo dei Poeti Cup 2024 returns from 21 to 29 September with its second edition between La Spezia, Lerici and Portovenere. This unique event combines sailing, cycling, running and moments of leisure in the city.
- “Spetialis Festival della Spezia Antica” takes place on 27, 28 and 29 September to celebrate the ancient traditions of La Spezia. Historical re-enactments, ancient dances and trades, duels, music and shows will take place in the city centre.
- Portovenere will host the Navy Caiman Race on 5 and 6 October 2024. This is an Obstacle Course Race organized by ENDAS in collaboration with COMSUBIN (Italian Navy’s special operations unit) and the Navy raiders. The race takes place between military installations, city squares and natural parks, testing the strength and resistance of high-profile athletes and sports enthusiasts.
- Museo Civico Amedeo Lia in La Spezia hosts the “The Art of Travel: Italy and the Grand Tour” exhibit from 15 June until 28 October 2024. In addition to the collection of the Lia Museum, you can admire fifty extraordinary works on loan from all over Italy, including the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica in Palazzo Barberini in Rome, the Civic Museums of Padua and the Art Collection of the Cariplo Foundation.
- The neighbouring Cinque Terre are home to the Vernazza Opera Festival, every Wednesday evening from September until the 16th of October 2024.
From Portovenere you can easily organize day trips around the region and even in neighboring Tuscany.
Among the fantastic events that take place in places about one hour-drive away from Portovenere are:
- Raduno Vele Storiche Viareggio – The meeting of Vintage Sailboats in Viareggio has become one of the most attended events in the sailing world. It takes place from 17 to 20 October 2024.
- Lucca Comics and Games – This is an internationally acclaimed event dedicated to comics, cartoons, games and video games. In 2024, the festival takes place from 30 October to 3 November.
- “Belle Époque. Italian Painters of Modern Life”. The exhibition follows the traces of the changes in painting after Italy’s Unification. You can view it until 27 October 2024 at Fondazione Giorgio Conti, Palazzo Cucchiari (Carrara).
Two hours’ drive away from Portovenere, Liguria’s capital, Genoa, is a fantastic hub for art lovers. Among the exhibits not to miss in Autumn 2024 are:
- “La Pietra di Luna. Il marmo di Luni e l’Impero di Roma” at Palazzo Reale until 6 October. It illustrates the importance of marble, a material that is still precious today, in a mix of stories of trade, art and politics linked to the sea.
- “Impression, Morisot” at Palazzo Ducale from 11 October 2024 to 23 February 2025, the first major exhibition in Italy about the great painter Berthe Morisot.
- “Helen Frankenthaler. Dipingere Senza Regole” at Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi from 11 October 2024 to 23 February 2025, the largest exhibition in Italy on the American artist.
What are your fall travel plans? Would you consider enjoying autumn in Liguria?
Share your thoughts below!
Photo credits: cover image byArgyrios Gerentes (genovagerry on Flickr).
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