Spring is just around the corner, ready to bring meaningful growth and rejuvenation in the natural landscape. In Liguria’s Gulf of Poets, Grand Hotel Portovenere celebrates the wake of the blossoming season by reopening on 18 March 2016.
This boutique hotel was included in the “2015 Best Hotel Picks” by travel expert Richard Bangs (Huffington Post) and stands firmly at the top spot in Tripadvisor’s list of best-rated hotels in Portovenere.
Amazing Location with Free Parking for Direct Bookings
Set in a historic building that was originally a 17th-century Franciscan convent, Grand Hotel Portovenere overlooks the small port right opposite Palmaria Island, less than 5 minutes’ walk away from where boats depart for the Cinque Terre.
If you think that such a privileged and strategic position comes at the cost of having no parking for your car, this is not the case here! Portovenere is actually accessible by car, and the hotel has its own on-site garage parking.
Better still, Grand Hotel Portovenere now offers Free Garage Parking for all Direct Bookings made either through its website, by telephone or by email. This means that you do not need to stress when visiting the Gulf of Poets and Cinque Terre: simply park your car in our reserved garage, and set off to explore this beautiful land on foot or by boat!
Territory & Seasonal Travel
The importance and uniqueness of this part of Liguria has been recognized by UNESCO, which has listed Portovenere and the Cinque Terre as a World Heritage Site for their extraordinary and harmonious relationship between man and nature.
As one of the most wonderful stretches of the Ligurian Riviera, the Bay of Poets is famous for its idyllic sea landscapes and beautiful beaches. However, the local territory offers a lot 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 spring and autumn. Examples of activities to be enjoyed are:
- Wines and food: The area offers a healthy Mediterranean diet with fresh local fish, vegetables and fruit, homemade pasta and genuine recipes. The ancient tradition of grape harvest can be witnessed during early fall on the terraced hills. Foodies can indulge in wine tasting sessions, winery visits, guided tastings of local products, or join a cooking lesson with local chefs.
- Nature Sports & Eco-Tourism: The Gulf of La Spezia is home to the beautiful Island of Palmaria, the Regional Nature Park of Portovenere and its Protected Marine Area. These places offer the opportunity to enjoy trekking and cycling itineraries, as well as diving and other water sports.
- Cruises & Boat Rentals: Visitors can choose from small fishermen’s boats, luxury speed vessels or cruise ships. This is the best way to explore the area from the Cinque Terre to every corner of the Gulf of La Spezia.
- Cultural, Artistic & Historic Tourism: From castles, museums, artisan workshops and churches; to more unusual attractions like the Naval Museum at La Spezia and the marble caves in nearby Carrara – there is something for every taste.
- Shopping: From simple, local artisanal products to the fancy streets of Portofino and Versilia.
