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

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 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.

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

Experience the magic of sunset on a boat tour from Rapallo to Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino. During the cruise, you’ll stop for a swim and enjoy a delicious aperitif on board, accompanied by a guide.

Let yourself be captivated by the beauty of the coastline as you sail past seaside villas, hidden coves, and panoramic views that make the Portofino Promontory truly unique. Your guide will accompany you along the route, helping you appreciate the charm of these places even more.

Off the coast of the most picturesque bays, you can relax as the waves lull you, take a dip in the crystal-clear waters, and raise a toast as the sun slowly sets on the horizon, painting the sky and sea with warm hues.

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.

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.

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’quad bike excursion in the Val di Lima, in the mountains above Florence in Tuscany é an’activity’that makes you experience the nature of the’Tuscan-Emilian Apennines in a fun way, together with the performance Quad Yamaha Kodiak 700.

1-hour excursion - Livizzano:

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•    Departure: Livizzano Base Camp
•    Trail Duration: 11km - average 1 hour
•    Altitude: 600m

You will start the hike from the mule tracks, dirt roads, fords and small streams of ‘Livizzano’, continuing then along wooded trails that will allow you to return to the starting site.

3-hour hike (half day) - Monte Prato Fiorito:

•    Departure: Livizzano Base Camp
•    .
•    Trail Duration: 33km - average 3 hours
•    Altitude: 600m to 1200m (elevation gain: 600m)

You will again start the hike from the mule tracks, dirt roads, fords and small streams of ‘Livizzano’.

The hike will then continue along wooded trails that will allow you to reach the spectacular views that await you on the slopes of Mount ‘Prato Fiorito’ at 1200m altitude.

5-hour hike (day) - Botri Gorge:

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•    Departure: Livizzano Base Camp
•    .
•    Trail Duration: 40km - average 5 hours
•    Altitude: 600m - 1200m - 900m (total elevation gain: 1200m)

Also in this option you will start the hike from the mule tracks, dirt roads, fords and small streams of ‘Livizzano’.

The hike will then continue along wooded trails that will allow you to reach the spectacular views that await you on the slopes of Mt. ‘Prato Fiorito’ at 1200m altitude.

The tour will then continue to the Orrido di Botri nature reserve where you will stop for lunch. Lunch consists of a set menu and must be paid for on site (15€ per person):

•    Tuscan appetizer
•    Bis of pasta
•    Water
•    Caffè 

For each selected tour, a briefing and initial test are provided before departure to explain how to use the ATV, so that you can ride it with ease and in complete safety.

If you choose to participate in the Garfagnana rafting experience on the Lima, you will have the opportunity to decide between 2 different experiences, classic rafting and packrafting.

Classic rafting This experience consists of a 4 km long descent on the Lima stream. During the adventure there will be a rafting guide who will allow you to learn more about the river environment and the magical world of rafting. The activity includes a stop at the footbridge waterfall for photo ops, 5m plunge at the old hydrometer and aquatics test in rapid. Technical equipment is provided and helmets have attachments for your action-cams. You can have the experience from November to May.

Packrafting

The activity consists of an easy perscorso of about 3.8 km duration with the "Packraft," a portable, lightweight and surprisingly sturdy one-person inflatable boat designed to navigate in any type of aquatic environment.

Experience the thrill of riding a Packraft through rapids and nature in the beautiful Mediavalle of the picturesque Serchio River just a few steps from the renowned Devil's Bridge. Clear water, thrills, breathtaking views and rapids await you.

All technical and safety equipment for activities is provided on site.

Open from March to July and September to November.

Horseback experience for beginners, designed to introduce you to horseback riding in a safe and engaging way, with a final appetizer and photo shoot.

The activity begins with a short briefing and a lesson in the field to learn or brush up on basic commands and build an initial relationship with the horse, followed by a trial ride to gain more confidence. Afterwards, you will set off directly for a walk of about an hour through forests, fords and historic trails, passing under the Upezzinghi tower, to the abandoned convent of Nicosia and the Certosa di Calci, along a loop trail.

At the end of the hike, an aperitif awaits you in the stables with typical products, bread and wine, with options also available for special dietary needs. The experience is about 2 hours long, easy level and suitable for ages 8 and up, with ground accompaniment for younger riders. Also included is a photo shoot to remember the day.

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 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.