Portovenere - Palmaria Island

Route: Genoa - Portovenere - Palmaria Island - Genoa
Duration: 8 h
Our tour will start at the small town of Portovenere is just as beautiful as any of the others along the Cinque Terre coast, although in a different way.  Go back a couple of thousand years, and the location of Portovenere meant that it was used by both the Roman and then the Byzantine Empire as a maritime base – for commercial and then military purposes. But it was around the 11th and 12th centuries that it started to grow into the town that you still see today, with its medieval layout and architecture. First it was just a single local family that ruled Portovenere, but then it passed into the control of the powerful Genoese, who expanded it and built fortifications to protect it from attack. Our visit we will start at the striking Church of St Peter (Chiesa di San Pietro) which is built on a natural rocky rise at the end of the marina. It was consecrated in 1198, although the section with the black and white strips is from the 13th century. From the church, we walk along the coastline until you reach a viewpoint called Byron’s Grotto, named after the English poet Lord Byron who swam from here. Rising up above, you’ll see the strong fortifications of Doria Castle . This military stronghold was built by the Genoese in 1161, although it’s been changed over the centuries to suit new uses. You can go inside to see what remains and get excellent views. Next we will go to the centre of the old town. Where you will see the Church of St Lawrence (Chiesa di San Lorenzo), which was built in the 11th century by the Genoese. Also we will descover the old center before leaving to the Palmaria Island.  Just across the water – only a few minutes away by boat – it offers a secluded escape where you’ll have the hiking trail and the stunning views all to yourself! Palmaria Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with Portovenere, Cinque Terre and the smaller islands of Tino and Tinetto. It is located in the Gulf of Poets , right across the medieval hamlet of Portovenere. With less than 50 residents, no cars and a pristine landscape, Palmaria Island is the ideal destination for nature lovers. Percy Shelley called it the “Island of Sirens” because he was charmed by a beautiful sound he heard when approaching it – actually just the sound some of his boat’s ropes, which vibrated in the wind. The island is roughly triangular and some even claim Botticelli traced its shape when painting the cloak that Spring offers to the goddess of love in his iconic “Birth of Venus”…The amazing coastline , the Blue Cave , some ruins of military outposts like the impressive Forte Umberto I, a 19th-century or beaches  with amazing  view to Portovenere give you relax time , after that we will return to Portovenere and Genoa.
Price: per person