Villa Nocturno at Liguria

The Neighborhood

In a countryside location in Liguria, near the border of Tuscany, Villa Nocturno is set on a hill dotted with beautiful villas. There is a supermarket and a couple of restaurants within a 5-minute drive whilst the pretty local village is just ten minutes away where you’ll find more charming restaurants, wine bars, shops and other useful facilities. It’s only a ten-minute drive to the sea – head north to the glorious Ligurian beaches around the Golf of Poets or south to some of Tuscany’s finest seaside towns. The lovely seaside town of Tellaro (20km), just south of La Spezia, is part of the ‘Gulf of Poets’ named after the fact that the region has inspired many poets in history including Byron and Shelley. Explore the narrow lanes, dine in a seafood osteria and relax on the stunning beach. Combine with a trip to the harbour town of Lerici (15km) on market day whilst keen walkers should follow the winding trail through olive groves to Montemarcello (15km) with amazing views of the gulf. Sea-worshippers should also head to the pine-backed beaches in Fiascherino (17km). Also enjoy the exquisite vistas when visiting Portovenere, accessed via boat from La Spezia; its coastline has achieved UNESCO World Heritage status, also part of the Gulf of Poets as Byron stayed here. The old town is a maze of narrow lanes and picturesque houses to explore or head out to the national park where there are some excellent hiking trails. This is also a great base for exploring the five villages of the National Park of Cinque Terre, which can be accessed by train or boat from La Spezia (or boat from Lerici). The landscapes are steep and rugged and the views just spectacular. The five villages include Monterosso al Mare with its amazing beaches, Vernazza, classified as one of Italy’s most beautiful villages, Corniglia, 100m above the sea and accessed only via the famous Lardarina footpath, charming Manarola and finally Riomaggiore to the south. Between Manarola and Rio Maggiore there is a famous “Path of Love” which is great for romantic walks. Further south, the popular Tuscan seaside towns of Viareggio (42km) and Forte Dei Marmi (31km) are only short drive away and are home to smooth sand and lovely waters. Spend the day wandering found Forte Dei Marmi’s quaint little streets, unearthing hidden gems – from fashion boutiques to antique stalls – around every corner. Make sure you also check out the high-end Italian street market that’s held every Wednesday and Sunday. If you’re feeling daring, why not try out some water-sports at Viareggio or surf the day away on the perfect waves? In the lead up to Easter, both tourists and locals head to the city for its wonderful carnival that’s famous in Italy. Amazing floats parade the streets, creating an indescribable atmosphere – dance to the music and get into the festival spirit! The cities of Lucca (59km) and Pisa (60km) are also incredible places to visit and reached within an hour by car.