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What a wonderful surprise!
After the tour of Carrara, we “thought” we were headed for Levanto on the bus. Levanto is a great home base just north of the Cinque Terre. Unknown to us, Karin had a surprise in mind. The sky was a beautiful blue and the wind was calm, so Karin called ahead (cell phones make touring much more flexible) to see if the boats were running from Lerici to Levanto. Our good fortune continued as she diverted Giorgio to the small port town of Lerici on the Mediterranean coast. Giorgio dropped us off, and then took the bus along with our bags to Levanto. Karin had arranged for us to take a boat from Lerici to our hotel in Levanto. As it turns out, the boats only run when the water is very calm. Any chop in the water makes boating too dangerous since the boats cannot dock on the rocky coast line at the Cinque Terre towns. It was a perfect day for boating.
Lerici! Picturesque and ohhhh soooo Mediterranean!
The docks at Lerici. The adventure continues!
Lerici's pastel houses and businesses along the waterfront.
We took a shuttle into Lerici. We had time for a quick lunch so we bought pizza and drinks at a nearby bar and sat on the waterfront wall to eat and enjoy the view. After lunch, we took a leisurely stroll around the waterfront promenade, past the pastel tinted architecture, the array of private sailboats, and the 13th century castle before it was time to catch the boat to Portovenere, the Cinque Terre, and Levanto.
Lerici is a seaport and boater's paradise.
Reflections in the water indicate the sea is calm.
Castle overlooking Lerici's harbor.
The docks are loaded.
Leaving Lerici was bittersweet (we loved it but really wanted to get to Portovenere and the Cinque Terre)
Cathy holds onto her hat in the breeze.
Jim and Cathy enjoy the boat ride (photo by Bonnie)
Leaving Lerici.
Boats and small yachts in Lerici.
