Villa Matilde Levanto
WHAT TO DO
Diving points around Levanto, with some wrecks
WW II Sub Destroyer
Sea: beach, surf, dive !
Levanto is a nice small town with
some of Italy's biggest waves. Its vast bay is partly protected on the south side. It takes a big southwest swell to make it pump. Holds up to 3 or 4m especially in the middle of the bay where big left tubes and nice rights make it worth the drive from the Versilia area. Seldom crowded, clean water.
The 5 Terre coast plunges steeply
into the sea with almost vertical cliffs and the presence of underwater life and vegetation is rich and varied. To protect this unique environment the entire coastline between Levanto and Cinque Terre was made a Protected Marine Area in 1999.
There are many different diving spots in the area, You will find a great variety of marine life and various species of fish of all sizes such as blennies, gobies, striped breams, wrasses, and giltheads. Deep-sea divers will encounter some bigger fish near the Marine Reserve. In those areas you will find sole fish, greater weever fish, stingrays and octopuses hiding near the rocks.
Cartura and Punta Mesco Diving organise tours also on the various WW2 ship wrecks (Colosso, Bolzaneto, Equa) from 36 to 70 meters depth.
Visiting 5 Terre
The best way to experience the Cinque Terre is by foot! During the walk along the mountain side you go through the Mediterranean bush, between the sky and sea! The Cinque Terre is traversed by many wayes. The main path goes along the shore and connects all the five villages in about five hours walk. There are also some difficult paths for expert tourists. However, we would tell you of four main possibility of moving in Cinque Terre:
There are the Cinque Terre Tourist
Offices on all railway stations. So it is possible to buy the Cinque Terre CARD and get a list of trains. Trains run about every 40-60 minutes and reach the next town through tunnels in 1-2 minutes. For further information please consult the Trenitalia web-site.
In spring and summer there are
daily connections by boat from La Spezia, Portovenere, Portofino and Lerici, with last stop in Monterosso (generally from April 1st until the first week of November).
Prices range according to the route you choose, from 3 to 25 euro for unlimited one-day pass. www.navigazionegolfodeipoeti.it
Hiking
Huge part of the Cinque Terre's tourist triumph is due to their trails and walks which curve round the shore or reach the sanctuaries near each village. The view is breath-taking and everybody can enjoy it. Someone can return from these hikes by bus, motor ship or train. You need only basic equipment: shoes with anti-slippery sole, long trousers to defend oneself from the thorn scrubs, some water and, according to the season, a large straw hat or a sports jacket.
Here is map of the paths: official site page, landscape map.
The Blue Path - connects the five villages, is the most legendary and evocative path in the Cinque Terre.
Important!!! Check the path opening.
The High Path - it`s a difficult path, so if you are a serious hiker and you want a lot of fun and experience then you have to go at the High Path. This trail essentially stretches beyond the National Park of Cinque Terre and links the towns of Levanto in the north with Portovenere in the south.
The Sanctuaries Ways - This path was created after the last war and it got its title to the fact that it links all the sanctuaries of the National Park in the Cinque Terre. Each village has its own Sanctuary to which the residents are treated by a deep devotion.
More info at: