Portovenere
Named after Venus herself, Portovenere is one of the most romantic villages on the Ligurian coast with a cluster of narrow streets lined with pastel coloured houses, and full of coastal charm Today recognised by UNESCO as part of the world cultural heritage It has been said that Portovenere is the less flash version of Portofino, and yes in many ways it is. The moorings lend themselves to small fishing boats rather than luxury yachts, and the drinks are less expensive however this is not to say you wont possibly catch a glimpse of a famous face. The front is lined with a host of seafood restaurants and bars, while the narrow cobbled lanes behind comprise a multitude of small boutiques and shops selling local produce and souvenirs. In the upper part of the village is the 12th Century church of San Lorenzo which preserves some remarkable works of art and on the hill facing out to the sea stands the small, black and white 13th Century church of San Pietro. From here, or from the 16th Century castle on the top of the cliffs, there are glorious views of the Cinque Terre and the small island of Palmaria, which can be visited by boat form the harbour. The island is a splendid nature reserve, hosting many beaches and coastal rocks. A network of paths running across the island makes this a ramblers paradise. If this isn’t your thing then simply catch the boat over for a romantic meal overlooking the port.
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