2016-07-22 Porto Molo Mediceo, Livorno to Seno di Lerici, Italy

Our berth for the past few days in the marina Porto Molo Mediceo

Quite a few of the local guys are out fishing this morning

As we are departing the big industrial port a large ferry arrives at the same time!!

As we are departing the big industrial port, a large ferry once again arrives at the same time!!

Once we are out of the port we head north towards Pisa and further up to La Spezia

Once we are out of the port we head north towards Marina di Pisa and then further up the coast towards La Spezia and the Cinque Terre

Marina di Pisa is only a short distance from Livorno

Marina di Pisa, a popular holiday spot, is only a short distance from the inland town of Pisa and 15 kms north of Livorno

The Arno River which flows through Florence enters the sea beside Marina di Pisa

The Arno River which flows through Florence enters the sea at Marina di Pisa

The river has many small wooden marinas in which numerous small to medium boats (mainly locally owned) are housed

The river has many timber piled marinas in which numerous small to medium sized boats (mainly locally owned) are housed

Marina di Pisa at the mouth of the Arno River

Looking back to the large port of Livorno in the distance with the different coloured river water clearly seen entering the sea in the foreground

Looking back to the large port of Livorno in the distance with the sediment stained river water clearly seen entering the sea in the foreground

Once again we see the amazing wooden stilt houses with their huge dip nets at the mouth of the river

We drop anchor by this beach for a while and have a swim before continuing up the coast

In the distance we can see the port of Viareggio

The coastline around Viareggio is a very popular area for holidaymakers

Large super yachts are built in a couple of the local large boatyards here in Viareggio

There are also a few large hotels along this popular holiday coastline

There are also a few very large hotels along this popular holiday coastline

In the mountains nearby one could easily mistake the white marble deposits in winter as snow covered peaks

In the mountains nearby one could easily mistake the white marble deposits in winter time as snow covered peaks

The town of Marina di Carrara lies on the coast and since ancient times has been used as a port shipping it’s fine white marble all over the world. Carrara marble is a pure white marble which has been favoured by sculptors such as Michaelangelo. To this day it still is a major industry of the area

We continue on to the Gulf of La Specia

Looking back south down the interesting coast

We continue on to the Gulf of La Spezia passing the cape by Bocca di Magra, a river which would have been an interesting anchorage

We decide to continue on into the Gulf of La Spezia passing the Punta Bianco by Bocca di Magra, a river which would have been an interesting anchorage for us

The superb conditions were wonderful while travelling up the coast today. Looking across to Palmaria Island by Portovenere, the start to the stunning Cinque Terre

Once heading into the Gulf of La Spezia we approach Tellaro

Once heading north we approach Tellaro

The stunning fishing village is perched on a wooded hill and is only a few kms to Lerici

Tellaro is very much like one of the quaint Cinque Terre villages without all the ferries coming and going

Tellaro is very much like one of the quaint Cinque Terre villages without all the tourists and ferries coming and going all the time

This coastline is some of the most picturesque in Italy

This coastline here is some of the most picturesque in Italy

We head towards a small bay called Seno di Lerici, which infact is just south of the old town of Lerici

On the point is quite a well preserved castle called Castello di San Giorgio

The small bay has a very popular swimming area

As there were very few boats in the bay we dropped our anchor right in the centre!!

It didn’t take us long to go for a swim!!

There is a tiny beach in the lovely bay which we found had people staying on overnight in their tiny camping tents

There was a small beach in the lovely bay which had people staying on overnight in their tiny camping tents

Some individually fabulous houses were perched high over the lovely bay

In the north east corner of the bay were a group of really well positioned houses, overlooking the bay and the castle, capturing the wonderful afternoon sun

Just beyond the castle is the village of Lerici which has a true Tuscan feel. A number of years ago we stayed there with our friends for a few days while visiting the Cinque Terre

Ric has cooked is a wonderful steak to have with our salad this evening

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