La Spezia

To enter the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cinque Terre in the Liguria region of Italy, the nearest port town is that of La Spezia. Located on the Ligurian sea, it’s easy to see why it’s home to Italy’s largest naval base, and associated maritime museum – Museo Tecnico Navale – with its fantastic collection of marine memorabilia. The old town itself boasts some wonderful trattorias and cafes serving up the local fresh seafood and traditional Ligurian pesto sauce, not forgetting the delicious wine of course. There’s many museums and collections of art on show, including a considerable collection at the Abbey Church of Santa Maria Assunta, and a walk along the promenade reveals magnificent scenes across the entire bay. With stunning beaches of crystal-clear blue sea, the rocky coastline and the breath-taking nearby fishing villages of the Cinque Terre, La Spezia and its province is a magnificent find.