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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Discover with a horseback ride the fantastic hills in the countryside around Lucca.

1h route:

during the horseback ride you will pass through an olive grove, go through a forest and arrive at a vantage point with spectacular views of the hills.

1h30 route:

during The second route you will instead cross the forest arriving at a point from where you can admire the plain of Lucca.

The horseback ride is suitable for everyone, no experience is needed.

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.

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.

If you choose to go rafting in Bagni di Lucca on the LimaIl River, you can rent a packraft, a lightweight boat that is practiced solo or in small groups. Four different tours are available for this experience:

Rafting 3h

3.5Km long excursion with a duration of 3h30minutes. Children can participate from 5 years old. You will raft on the Lima where you will find rapids and can take dives.

Packrafting 3h

3Km hike with a duration of 3h. This is one of the most exciting hikes in Tuscany, during which you will immerse yourself in the beauty of the Middle Lucchese Valley while diving and sliding.

This horseback riding tour in Garfagnana is suitable for beginners and even the most experienced, always accompanied by experienced staff.

During these rides, nature is explored in all its magnificence and splendor, the route takes in heterogeneous and picturesque scenery between forests and open countryside, ideal for all those who love nature.

Recommended clothing for the horseback riding trip includes closed shoes and long pants. The facility will provide you with all equipment for horseback riding, including helmet.

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.