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

Day sailing in the Gulf of Portofino is a relaxing mini-cruise suitable for anyone who wants to explore the world from the sea.

Embarkation is scheduled at 10:00 am from Rapallo. During the boat trip there will be plenty of opportunities for swimming and photography of the beautiful panorama of the gulf between Rapallo and Portofino.

On board you will be served a lunch of local specialties, water, beer, dessert/fruit and coffee.

Return of the tour is scheduled at 6:00 pm in Rapallo.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Your flyboard experience in Rapallo will begin with a 10-15 minute briefing on land, during which you will receive an introduction and practical advice on how to get started flying.

Next, you will move to the sea and enter the water. The instructor will be the one wearing the Flyboard to show you more accurately what it is all about. After that, it will be your turn to begin the lesson.

During the lesson you will be supervised by Paul, who will be on the jet ski and provide you with the power you need for the Flyboard. The instructor will be on another bike and will follow you closely to ensure safety.

Overall, the experience will last about 30 minutes and you will be immersed in the thrill of flying above the water.

In case of more than one participant, the experience will still be done one at a time.

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.

The horseback ride behind Forte dei Marmi, in the middle of Versilia, is easy and suitable for everyone. The ride starts from Montignoso, a town a few kilometers from Forte dei Marmi, and continues to Lago di Porta, next to the Forte Golf Club.

This walk is quiet and even those who have never ridden a horse, or have little experience, can do it. Very nice to explore Porta Lake on horseback.

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.

During the rafting exucrsion on the Serchio River in Lucca, you will have the opportunity to rent the packraft, a 'light boat practiced solo or small groups.

Packrafts can be single or double (adult+child) making the experience suitable for children as well.

From the meeting point you will be picked up by shuttle until you arrive at the experience site. The guide will give you a briefieng to gain confidence and learn how to maneuver in the water.

The route is 2.8 km, with a duration of 2 1/2 hours, during which you will have fun and relax at the same time discovering the nature around the Walls of Lucca. At the end of the activity there will be an aperitif on the raft to relax.

You will finally be escorted back from the facility to the meeting point. This is a family-friendly experience that takes place from March to May.

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.