Posts tagged "visit levanto with a tour guide"

Levanto at the beginning of the XX century

A postcard from the early 1900s and a blast from the past!

At the beginning of the ‘900 the life in Levanto was quiet, with no industries, with a mainly local trade and with an agriculture not susceptible to major changes. However, the construction of the new railway section Genoa – La Spezia (1872-1873) and the consequent arrival of the first tourists, gave a new impetus to the emerging economy. Construction became more beautiful, more rational; streets and squares, new palaces and new buildings took the place of old houses to accommodate families who became wealthy or rich and the villas of the “foreign tourists” arose numerously.

The first bathing establishments equipped with sanitary equipment were born, with a vast solarium and beaches of fine sand. In the early 1900s there were the Sirio, Eden and Vallesanta Baths. The Bagni Eden in the first post-war period were rebuilt in rationalist style with a seawater pool. The Casino of Levanto was actually a gaming hall and exerted a strong appeal especially towards an “aristocratic” tourism.

The villas built along the “Passeggiata della Pietra” are the tangible example of elite tourism that visited often Levanto in those years. The monumental complex of the Agnelli Family, with an immense park, swimming pool and tennis courts, built by the founder of Fiat at the foot of the promontory of Punta Mesco is the image of this development that the town had. Summer evenings came alive at the Casino’s gaming tables and parties were never lacking in its large ballroom. During the day, however, at the edge of the pool, with trampoline and platform, the most prominent families bathed and sunbathed. Still in the 60s artists and songwriters of international fame performed there, such as Mina, Ornella Vanoni and Gino Paoli, Casino manager at the time.

 

 

 

Levanto and its bike trail: an amazing, unusual, awsome ride through the coastline

A bike trail from Levanto to Framura – what a surprise!

Biking through Liguria (let’s say the east part of Liguria or Riviera di Levante) isn’t so easy. Though the new bike/walking path from Levanto to Framura offers a good alternative and, well why not, a fair option for whom loves biking but not really climbing up the hills! Couple of years ago the old railroad section along the coast has been reopened and now you can enjoy an amazing and relaxing walk or bike tour through three towns: Levanto, Bonassola and Framura. The path is totally flat, about 10km long  and tourists have by time to time breathtaking seaviews through and at the end of every tunnel. Untouched and unspoiled beaches and bars give you the opportunity for a short break during your ride or promenade.

Discover Levanto with your private tour guide.

Choose a local native tour guide for a unique experience. Programs and infos at www.liguria.guide

(Video:Enzo Podesta')

Levanto is…

Spending a nice holiday in Levanto means not only having relaxing days at sea but also discovering a town rich in history, culture and food traditions.
Today I want to dwell on a typical Levanto delight, which you will find only in this area of ​​the Riviera di Levante: the “gattafin”.
A unique recipe of its kind, loved by children and grown up and it is true that one leads to another!
They are like Proust’s madeleines, every time I eat them I go back to my childhood and the days spent in the kitchen with my grandmother.
But what is the “gattafin”? It is a large ravioli stuffed with wild herbs prepared with the same procedure of herbs quiche, but the cottage cheese ( ricotta) is present in smaller quantities or absent, eventually fried in hot oil.
Perhaps the term comes from “Gattafura”, a fourteenth word which indicated recipes in which the vegetables were crushed by two layers of pasta. We have notice of them  already in cookbooks of the ‘400 and’ 500 and apparently they were  served to the rich lords.

Don’t wait any longer, come for a taste!

GuideLiguria