Lerici, Portovenere and Montemarcello

The charm of Golfo dei Poeti

A name, a guarantee. Golfo dei Poeti (the gulf of poets) takes its name from the fact that over the centuries, and due to its extraordinary beauty, it has inspired many poets and writers who lived and stayed in this area. This peculiar name refers to a deep inlet that characterizes the astoundingly beautiful bay around the city of La Spezia, delimited by the towns of Lerici and Portovenere, wonderful natural beauty spots along the coastline of eastern Liguria.

Dante, David Herbert Lawrence, Lord Byron, George Sand, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Emma Orczy, Mario Soldati, Attilio Bertolucci, Gabriele D’Annunzio, Filippo Tommaso Marinetti are just some of the poets and writers that have a strong connection with this magical place.

Well worth a visit is the beautiful little town of Portovenere, a UNESCO site since 1997,with the breathtakingly beautiful church of San Pietro on the cliff’s edge, the alleyways called “carruggi” which join the colourful “tower houses” of the village, the majestic Doria Castle, the incredible blue sea full of boats and the small shops which offer delightful jars of pesto, handmade ceramics, perfumes and handmade jewellery.

In front of Portovenere, a stone’s throw away across an area of water called “Le Bocche”, is the beautiful island called Palmaria is to be found. The largest island in the Ligurian region, this naturalistic gem is easily reached in just a few minutes by boat or ferry from Portovenere. Suggestive caves, beaches to discover, paths, an abundant flora, tons of history (such as the caves and the ex military fortress of Umberto the First) and a breath-taking view of Portovenere are just some of the treasures this island has to offer. Some ferries also allow you to take a tour around the other islands of gulf of La Spezia where, in addition to Palmaria, you will find Tinetto and Tino, an uncontaminated natural island which comes under military jurisdiction but is open to visitors once a year during the San Venerio celebration which take place in September. Another wonderful place to visit is Lerici, with its castle, long beachfront walkway, beautiful little harbour, sunny beaches and also the enchanting villages of Tellaro, San Terenzo and Fiascherino, just a few minutes away by car.

The local cuisine is a must with scrumptious tastes and offers steamed mussels, oysters (locally farmed green and delicious oyster from the bay of La Spezia), mesciua (a legume soup characteristic of the local area), sgabei (fried pizza dough), pasta with pesto, every imaginable variety of focaccia, panigacci and testaroli from the Lunigiana area (another must) and many other local specialities.

On your return to Casale Amati, you can find the old town of Montemarcello, elected one of the most beautiful village of Italy, where you can stop-off for a lovely cocktail towards sunset. The outstanding view of the gulf of poets is something you will treasure.

DIEGO B.

Un prezioso angolo di eleganza.
Abbiamo alloggiato nel Casale per il ponte del 1 maggio, con altre due famiglie, prendendo 2 delle 3 strutture contigue che formano il Casale. Ogni struttura è definita da uno stile proprio e molto curato nei dettagli, lasciando inalterate le suggestioni di quando era la residenza estiva dei proprietari.
Federica, la proprietara, vi conquesterà immediatamente per la sua gentilezza e la passione che trasmette nel racconto sulle origini della struttura. Un perfetto rifugio se il desiderio è quello di vivere autenticamente e senza eccessi, la zona già di per se stessa è meravigliosa.
Grazie di tutto!!

Diego B. Roma, Italia (Marchesa&Macine)

REVIEWED ON TRIPADVISOR.COM

ELISABETH N.

Simply Perfect
A perfect place to stay in with your family and/or friends. From the outside the old olive-oil mill may not look like much but inside you realize that you have stepped into a castle. It is a grand old place with parts of the mill still showing it one of the two great kitchens. There are plenty of rooms to choose from, the upper rooms with AC and down below cool enough for a hot summer. The garden is very pretty, with gold-fish in the dam, plenty of room to relax. The house is situated in the foothills of the mountains, but not far from the sea. There is plenty to do in the area and I cannot enough stress that you need to see this place and realize you will want to come back. The hostess is very pleasant and helpful, a very nice encounter.

Elisabeth Nyköping, Svezia (Marchesa&Macine).

FEDRIGO ORLEANS

L’endroit où nous sentons chez nous.
Il Casale Amati est devenu notre lieu de référence en Italie que nous fréquentons beaucoup. Son emplacement entre mer et petite montagne, le bon goût de la restauration de cet ancien pressoir ,le calme, les ressources de la région font que nous nous sentons chez nous ! et si l’on ajoute la charmante hospitalité des propriétaires…..nous n’avons pas les mots pour continuer.

Fedrigo Orléans, France (Le Macine)

REVIEWED ON HOMEAWAY.COM

GIROT N.

Une magnifique maison.
Nous avons passé un week end de 4 jours en famille dans cette superbe maison. Nous avons tous été bluffés de la beauté de cet endroit et de la place que nous avions. Les photos sont conformes à la réalisté, c’est tout aussi atypique, original ! Ortonovo est un petit village paisible ou le calme est au rendez-vous. Très agréable pour se reposer après une journée très occupée au 5 terres par exemple ! Proche de la mer en voiture, je conseille à tout le monde de découvrir cet endroit !

Girot Thonon Les Bains, Francia (La Marchesa)

REVIEWED ON ABRITEL.FR

KIRK S.

Very cool place- takes you back in time!
Great place, the grounds alone should make you want to stay here! Federica was a fabulous host! My kids didn’t want to leave. Easy access to Tuscan hill towns or the 5 Terre!

REVIEWD ON HOMEAWAY.COM

MARKUS AMBURGO

Just Excellent, historical and authentic.
We stayed in this wonderful old olive mill several days together with our family including 3 kids. So we had both flats on the 1st floor which are connected by a door. So it was just one big flat then with 2 bathrooms, two kitchens and 6 bedrooms in total. We used just 5 bedrooms. The whole house is nicely decorated with old furniture/antique furniture in good condition besides modern aspects, especially wifi, TV with obviously every available channel of the world, and for sure a well equipped kitchen including dishwasher. Everything was clean and the whole house and every room is very cosy. We didn’t use the very big garden behind the house due to the bad weather we had in November. But in summer it must just be wonderful to have a BBQ on the terrace. The service is also very good. The owner explained us everything regarding the old house and how the oil was produced. There are many historical parts of the old oil production system still visible. That makes this house and especially the flat “LA Macine” a very particular and authentic place. We got also many recommendations for what we can do and visit around. Thanks for the amazing stay and your support in our situation. Hope we come back one day.

Markus Amburgo, Germania (Marchesa&Macine)

RUTH M.

Awesome, unique adventure!
Wonderful host, wonderful unique accommodations! The apartment had all the amenities we need plus some extra and it was so unique and charming. It was fun stepping back in history. We will always treasure our stay here. It was very nicely decorated and the beds were very comfortable. The grounds were also very nice. We highly recommend this rental!

Ruth M. London, Ontario (Le Macine)

REVIEWED ON VRBO.COM

SUZANA L.

Unforgettable birthday party in La Marchesa!
We were quite a big party with 6 adults who came to celebrate my birthday in La Marchesa. Such a beautiful house with a lot of space! Large bedrooms, kitchen and not least the wonderful barbecue garden. The house has a working Wifi which for us was important. From Ortonovo it is easy and close to reach Cinque Terre, La Specia, Pisa and Via Reggio. One day we went out to Tuscany, eat lunch in the wonderful Vignamaggio (birthday house of Mona Lisa) and spend some hours in Florence. After intense excursions coming back to the quiet place and bird songs in La Marchesa, felt very luxurious. Highly recommended accommodation. We are coming back!

Suzana L.(La Marchesa)