With the boat secured in the marina Porto Mirabello, La Spezia, we boarded a train to Levanto, right outside the Cinque Terre National Park. Once in Levanto, we located our accommodations and settled down for the evening. We were exhausted and welcomed good food and drink. Putting a boat in a slip at a marina, walking to catch the train, then walking through the town, dragging luggage up and down the hilly roads, while getting lost, is a whole lot more physical than you’d think!

Levanto is a seaside resort along the Italian Riviera, east of Genoa. The area is surrounded by a vast green valley of pine forests and olive groves, dotted with small medieval churches and castles. Hikers, sunbathers, and divers all favor this small town with a big time feel. We thoroughly enjoyed this town, its beauty, and the ease it offered to zip to neighboring Cinque Terre.