Posts tagged "vacation"

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.

 

 

 

Focaccia bread

Have you been to Liguria and have you fallen in love with Focaccia?

I know..it happens so often! If you would like to try to do it at home and if you would like to amaze family and friends here you will find my special recipe.

Focaccia Ligure
Recipe:

500 gr soft wheat flour / half cube of brewer’s yeast/ 250 ml water / olio extra vergine d’oliva / 15 gr table salt

Knead the flour with the brewer’s yeast, previously dissolved in the lukewarm water and the table salt. Put the mixture, which will be slightly sticky, in a baking tray greased with 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and let it rise in a warm place for about 40 min. Spread the dough with your hands slightly oiled, without removing it from the baking tray. Whisk 1/2 teacup of extra virgin olive oil with the same quantity of water and spread 2/3 of this mixture onto the focaccia surface. Let rise 1 more hour. Take the oven temperature to 250°C and with your fingertips make the typical focaccia holes on the dough, then wet it with the remaining oil and water emulsion, sprinkle with salt and put immediately in the oven. Cook for about 15-20 min. until the focaccia is golden brown.

Buon appetito!

http://www.liguria.guide/portfolio/ligurian-recipies/

 

Cruising the Mediterranean, wishing a truly unique experience in the Cinque Terre.

Porto della Spezia

Cruising is the best way to discover the world and an amazing experience for the entire family! If you are onboard a cruise ship and La Spezia is one of your port of call don’t loose your time and book your private excursion with your local native Tour Guide!

Half day tours or Full day tours are available, tailor made tours for families, couples or small parties, cooking lessons, private boat tours, wine tasting and much more.

Discover La Spezia, Portovenere, Lerici, Sarzana from a different point of view, put yourself in the hands of an expert for a unique experience.

It’s Springtime in the Cinque Terre!

Cinque Terre are beautiful in every season, Spring is definitely the best if you love nature,  flowers and hiking . More daylight and a mild climate allow you to organize wonderful walks through the villages of the Cinque Terre and excursions along the trails of the National Park.
A day with a local tour guide at your disposal will give you the opportunity to discover our territory and have a taste of some typical Ligurian dishes.
A good glass of white wine DOC of the Cinque Terre, or a sip of Sciacchetrà is not to be missed!

All this awaits you in the Cinque Terre! Do not wait any longer, book your weekend or your daily excursion!

Sip this….

Sciacchetra’ is a raisin wine from the Cinque Terre. One of the most known and precious of our territory. It’s a blend of three different grapes: Bosco, Albarola and Vermentino. Soon after the harvest the grapes are left to dry on well-ventilated racks until the concentration of natural sugars reaches a potential alcohol level of at least 17%. Doing this process the resulting wine will have intense and sweet flavors. Cinque Terre Sciacchetra wines are intensely colored, golden-yellow in their youth and turning to amber over the years. They offer aromas of honey and white blossoms, with hints of citrus.
Discover more about this wine and its history! Book a wine tasting tour and a walking tour through the vineyards of the Cinque Terre.

GuideLiguria