2016-07-24 Seno di Lerici to Carlo Riva Marina, Rapallo, Italy
This morning we leave our little bay with the conditions being humid and overcastLerici is a lovely old town which was just on the other side of the castleLerici is a popular place to stay when visiting the Cinque TerreFerries depart regularly from Lerici to go Portovenere and the Cinque TerreLa Spezia is a more industrial town with a commercial port which is situated in a sheltered waterway called Radda di La SpeziaA popular anchorage for visiting yachts is Le Grazie which is in the south west of Radda di La Spezia South of Radda di La Spezia is the picturesque village and harbour of PortovenerePortovenere with it’s pastel coloured tall narrow houses and austere grey castle above, make the village a photographers dream!!Portovenere was a favourite place of poets Lord Byron and Shelley, hence the name of Poet’s Gulf which lies between Portovenere and Palmaria IslandAnother Menorquin, identical to ours!!We head ashore to visit Portovenere for the 3rd time (2003 & 2010)
We visit the Church of St Peter which dates back to the 1200’sGreat view from the churchOn our way up to the castle Ric rests with a new acquaintanceThe Andria Doria Castle was built by the Genoese in 1161 from local stoneAn amazing view over the magical Poets Gulf from the castleOverlooking the plain rooves of the tall houses of PortovenereSan Lorenzo Church which is just below the castleThe narrow back streets are busy with tourists
Many restaurants line the foreshore of Portovenere to cater for the thousands of visitors everyday. Iseo Restaurant was recommended to us however we did not stay for lunchOnce again a wonderful visit to one of my favourite areas of the MediterraneanWe leave Portovenere and head through the narrow passage at Punta San PietroThe Bay of Poets, below the Church of St Peter where Byron the poet used to swim. Ironically his friend Shelly, also a poet, is believed to have lost his life here in a storm on his return from Livorno in his boat, which capsized. Today it is a popular swimming place as can be seen by the crowd on the rocksWe continue along the coast of the Cinque Terre passing some yachts moored below some amazing cliffsWe pass a small islet which is a popular mooring for local day tripper boats. Note the ramshackle houses behind!!It is hard to believe people can live here!!We arrive at Riomaggiore, the first village of the Cinque TerreThis village has always been my favourite on past visits!! So picturesque!!The 2nd village along the Cinque Terre is ManarolaIn past visits we wandered through all the villages, however arriving by boat and dropping anchor here is impossible for usCorniglia is the next lovely villageAnother picturesque village!Vernazza is the fourth village heading north west along the coastThe last village along the Cinque Terre is MonterossoLooking back to the 5 villages of the Cinque TerreWe continue up the coast and pass numerous small towns………and a few relaxed sailors too!!We plan to travel as far as we can while the light permitsWe finally arrive in the town of Rapallo which is at the head of the Golfo MarconiWe decided to go into the marina at Rapallo as it was late and we were in an unfamiliar area for anchoring outOnce settled into our berth we decided to go out for a late dinner in the town (as the Italians do)
A very friendly waiter welcomed us in Rapala RistoranteGood red Sicilian wine was ordered by Ric as usualWe start our dinner with fabulous ‘Smoked Swordfish’Ric enjoys the ‘Sliced Grilled Beef with Tomato’I chose the amazing ‘Crumbed Tuna with Tomato’We share a delicious icecream dessert
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