Levanto

Yet another gateway to the five villages of the Cinque Terre, Levanto is a quintessential Italian port town and is loved by surfers from all over the globe. With a historical town centre, a few bustling markets, the most popular being the Wednesday market and villas strewn all around, it is an attractive destination more than anything else. Medieval castles and dilapidated factories cater to those who have a special fondness for the past while the amber beaches are for those who like living in the present. The many hills that surround this pretty town are dotted with olive trees and offer a wonderful hiking experience. This Ligurian commune also has several biking trails for the adventure enthusiasts. Levanto is unpretentious yet thoroughly enchanting; it really is a little Italian gem only waiting to be discovered by seasoned wanderers.

Getting there: Levanto is closest to the airport of Genoa and the town of La Spezia, however, Pisa and Florence aren’t that far either. The best idea is to hop on to a train originating from La Spezia Centrale (the main station at La Spezia) that gets you to Levanto in roughly 16 minutes. The entire journey costs a mere 8 Euros.