The 10 best experiences to have in La Spezia over the weekend

Embark on a boat tour that will take you around Portofino and its characteristic coves. The departure of the Portofino and San Fruttuoso boat tour is usually from Rapallo, but you can request to depart from Portofino or Santa Margherita.

You can freely arrange with the skipper to choose the boat tour that suits you best, and visit your favorite coves between Camogli and the Cinque Terre.

You can choose whether to take the half-day (morning or afternoon), full-day or sunset boat tour. For the sunset mini-cruise, you will be treated to a delicious aperitif.

The boat is a Classic Gozzo Ligure, just over 7 meters long, fully restored in 2021 bringing back to new condition not only the aesthetics but also the mechanical parts of the engine.

Inside the boat you will find any comfort to spend the best time on board, it is in fact equipped with fresh water shower, blue-tooth stereo sound system, sundeck with dedicated cushions, retractable awning, portable refrigerator with soft drinks, snorkeling equipment and much more.

Enjoy a 3½-hour boat tour, departing from Portofino, to San Fruttuoso, to discover the Christ of the Abyss.

Starting from the meeting point, you will sail along the coast of the Ligurian Riviera, exploring the wonders of Portofino and the picturesque bay of San Fruttuoso. During the excursion you will have the opportunity to snorkel and admire the famous underwater statue of Christ of the Abyss.

An’experience between sea, nature and culture, perfect for those who want to discover the mostù suggestive corners of the Gulf of Tigullio.

The experience is guaranteed once the minimum number of 6 participants has been reached.

The wine tasting and winery tour in Sestri Levante is a unique experience.

During the guided tour of the cellars and the Ligurian wine production facility, you will have the opportunity to understand how the wines are made and feel the love and passion with which they are produced. The guided tour will continue with a tour of the underground Caveau which will be followed by a tasting of the most representative wines.

You will be able to choose from five options.

The Simple tasting that includes tasting 2 glasses of wine, Bianco Trevigne, Ciliegiolo Rosè or Rubino, accompanied by taralli and olives.

The Classic tasting without cutting board which includes 3 glasses, Il Bianco Trevigne / Bianchetta "U Pastine" Portofino DOC / Il Musaico Portofino DOC, accompanied by taralli and olives.

The Classic tasting with cutting board, which includes 3 glasses and an accompanying cutting board.

The Special tasting without cutting board, which includes 5 glasses, Il Bianco Trevigne / Bianchetta "U Pastine" Portofino DOC / Cimixà l'Antico / Portofino DOC / Il Musaico Portofino DOC / Granaccia Colline del Genovesato, accompanied by taralli and olives.

The Special tasting with cutting board, which includes 5 glasses and an accompanying cutting board.

The cutting board consists of a generous platter of cheeses, cured meats, vegetable pies and garden delicacies (subject to change throughout the seasons).

The duration of the experience is approximate.

After the wine tasting is over, you can enjoy a lunch (not included) that can take place either on the premises inside the winery with its large windows-which let you admire the beautiful vineyard-or outdoors.

Appropriate clothing for the low temperatures of the wineries is recommended for this experience.

Enjoy a sunset sailing aperitif in the beautiful gulf between Rapallo and Portofino.

Departure of this Ligurian mini-cruise is set in Rapallo at 4:30 pm, afterwards you will have the opportunity to take a swim with the lights of the sunset.

Afterwards you will be served an aperitif on board consisting of appetizers, bubbles and beer. Disembarkation is scheduled at 8:30 pm in Rapallo.

On board you will find competent skippers and all the comforts to make your break from routine unforgettable and safe. The skippers are highly trained FIV (Italian Sailing Federation) Instructors to ensure maximum safety.

Depending on weather conditions and skipper's decisions, the stages may change. Maximum capacity: 8 people.

Dinghy rental in Portofino is provided for a full day, half day or only at sunset to enjoy a unique aperitif off Portofino.

Departure is usually from Rapallo, but you can customize the tour by requesting to depart from Portofino or Santa Margherita.

You can freely make arrangements with the skipper to create the tour tailored to you to reflect all your desires, visiting the most hidden coves between Camogli and the Cinque Terre.

Maximum capacity: 8 people per dinghy. Depending on weather conditions and the skipper's decisions, stops may be subject to change.

Rent a 40hp motor boat in Rapallo and experience the tranquility that only the sea can give you by escaping from the most beaten routes of summer tourism in Liguria.

You will board a 6-person capacity boat with which you can explore the beauty of the Gulf of Tigullio. You do not need to have a boat license, but the driver must be of legal age.

Before leaving there is a short introductory briefing of about 10 minutes during which you will be shown the techniques for safe sailing and some itineraries will be suggested.

Thanks to this experience you will be able to admire some of the most well-known spots on the Ligurian coast, such as Portofino, Punta Chiappa and San Fruttuoso.

When booking you can choose from several options:

•    half-day rental
•    day charter
•    sunset rental

Enjoy a horseback ride in the heart of Tuscany among the hills of the province of Pisa with a final aperitif. Available 1h or 2h ride. 

You will be accompanied by an experienced equestrian guide among trails in the countryside and woods, admiring panoramic views of the Lower Valdarno, Monte Serra and a charming pond along the way.

Before departure, you will be assigned your horse and equipment and have a brief initial briefing to learn or brush up on the basics of horseback riding, making the activity perfect even for first-timers. The walk takes place mainly at the pass, in total safety and in a relaxed atmosphere.

At the return, a rich aperitif with alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage accompanied by delicacies and typical products will be waiting for you, ideal to end this experience in the best way.

The recommended clothing includes closed shoes and long pants.

The daily boat tour in the Secche della Meloria marine area with aperitif and lunch allows you to experience a day aboard a cozy sailing yacht.

You can enjoy sailing along the Pisan and Livorno coastline thanks to all the comforts on board and dive to discover the Secche della Meloria marine protected area, considered one of the most beautiful in Italy.

Departure is scheduled at 10:00 am in Pisa. Once embarked, you will be served a welcome drink of appetizers accompanied by a glass of wine.

After about 1.5 hours of navigation you will arrive in the beautiful natural setting of the Secche della Meloria, considered one of the most beautiful marine protected areas in Italy.

Right here you will anchor to spend 4 hours of free time: you can sunbathe, snorkel in search of the characteristic posidonia or take advantage of the SUP boards available on board to reach the scenic Southern Lighthouse of Meloria.

Lunch is planned afterwards, which includes a sea-scented main course accompanied by water and a glass of white wine.

Return is scheduled at approximately 5 p.m.

In case of food allergies and intolerances it is possible to contact the facility after booking.

The kayak tour of Pisa from the Arno River is a unique experience that will allow you to delve into the heart of Pisa's historic center admiring its Lungarni and learning about the vicissitudes that make the Tuscan city what it is today.

The tour begins with your guide giving you a short briefing on basic technique and safety provisions. You will then set off in your kayak, single or double. By reservation only, there is also an opportunity to enjoy a delicious aperitif in a canoe midway through the tour; the cost of the aperitif is not included in the price.

The accompanied kayak tour lasts about 1 hour 45 min. for a total of about 3.5 km (the length of the tour may be subject to change if physical or weather conditions require it).

•    Only adults over 18 or accompanied minors may ride on the single-seater canoes, while 2 adults or 1 adult and 1 child over 5 may ride on the two-seater canoes.
•    Indicatively, tours run from May to September (depending on the flooding of the Arno River).
•    The tour can be conducted in both Italian and English.

Riverplay in Garfagnana at Strette di Cocciglia is a guided tour of a wild and natural canyon.

You will be completely immersed in nature, the route is characterized by three scenarios; the upper part of the "Golette" basins with clear water carved by the force of the stream into the rock, the middle part where the narrows open up and we meet the small rapids and finally the final large canyon the "Blue Lagoon" with crystal clear water and underwater caves up to 12m deep.

Along the way you will have the opportunity to go diving, natural slides, the "washing machine" slide, small rapids, swimming, playing in the waterfall bubbles, adventure and lots of fun.

Participate in a horseback ride through the hills of Pisa, accompanied by an experienced equestrian guide. You will have the opportunity to enjoy a lunch or dinner or picnic depending on the tour selected.

After an initial briefing and assignment of your horse and equipment, you will ride through Tuscan woods and countryside with views of Monte Serra, Lower Valdarno, and a characteristic natural lake.

The walk takes place at the pace and è also suitable for those who è first experience in the saddle.

To make the experience even more special, you can choose from several options that include lunch or dinner in a restaurant with appetizer, main course, dessert, water and coffee, or a picnic in nature with sandwich or flatbread stuffed with local products and alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages.

After the break you will resume your horseback riding excursion before returning to the starting point.

Comfortable clothing with long pants and closed shoes is recommended.

The boat tour to Portofino, San Fruttuoso and Camogli is a classic and comprehensive boat tour of the Portofino Natural Park area.

The starting point of the boat excursion is in Rapallo, but a pickup in Portofino or Santa Margherita Ligure can also be arranged, agreeing this after booking.

Spending a full day in the Portofino area, you can enjoy all the best that the area has to offer: sea, sun, beautiful views, local food, wine, and a pristine natural environment like few others in Italy.