Ultimate European Road Trip, Part 10: Sestri Levante & Liguria, Italy

[Bob and Janice Kollar]

image: MKB-DESKKART

Our Porsche Macan road trip started in Stuttgart continues from the Lake Garda area in the north of Italy to the west coast and the Italian Riviera. Our decision to stay in Sestri Levante, just south of Portofino, came from an inspiration after seeing a photo of an unknown beautiful seaside village several years ago, and researching until we found it… let's go there!

The mystery village was perfectly situated in the middle of the Italian Riviera and had easy access to the major roadways, thus making day trips conveniently easy.  To take advantage of the area we booked an eight-night stay in an apartment in the center of town.

Road Trips, Anyone?

Portofino / Santa Margherita is 20 miles (42 minutes); Cinque Terre (the number-one tourist attraction in the Italian Rivera) is 44 miles (1 hour, 13 minutes);  the Carrara marble mines are 44 miles (1 hour, 40 minutes); Pisa (that tilting tower thing) is 72 miles (1 hour, 25 minutes);  Parma (home of Prosciutto and Parmigiano cheese) is 98 miles (1 hour, 51 minutes);  Maranello (home of Ferrari and its related museum) 140 miles (2 hours, 40 minutes).... just to name a few!

First Things First -- Establish the Base Camp

So we booked an eight-night stay through Homeaway.com that satisfied our must-have checklist: a good kitchen, at least two bedrooms, and outdoor space with a balcony and in the center of the city. We even scored with a unit in a pedestrian-only zone. Time to park the car in a secure location, and enjoy the relaxed vibe of this laid back beach town.

We were within easy walking distance to the beach (there are two of them), a great variety of restaurants (ranging from snacks to fine gourmet dining), shopping, street markets, and even a few nights of live music and dancing.  A surprisingly lively town!

 The apartment:

Lots of space and light

Second bedroom loft area

Outdoor space for alfresco dining and sunsets

Mangia…Mangia…Mangia! Italian Cuisine - Che Buono!

The foodie part of our travel is important to us so we prefer a vacation rental to keep our culinary options open and flexible. Staying in a hotel limits you to restaurant dining, which isn’t the worst thing - but oh, what you are missing!

Exquisite Fine Dining Options

There are at least 120 restaurants in town, and we easily sorted them out by using Italian Yelp, TripAdvisor, and OpenTable.  Wi-Fi was our friend and we used it every day… how did we survive without it!   We selected Balin Cuisine for one of our special dining experiences and were well rewarded for our research.

 

Our table

Neighborhood Restaurants

A simple neighborhood restaurant, Osteria Mattana, provided us our first night’s meal, as it was a long day and we were very hungry. Nothing fancy - low prices and everything exceptional.  Travel hint: keep your eyes open for the local crowds and eat where they eat…be spontaneous and enjoy the experience.

This is local 

The daily menu at a neighborhood place

Linguine con sugo di pulpo (in octopus sauce)

Spaghetti alla Brezza

House wine served in water glasses (true family style)

Genovese chickpea flatbread

Purchase Prepared Food and Cook at “Home”

You are in Italy and have the kitchen to cook world-famous delicacies. So we started at the Pastifico Moderno, a pasta shop ranked by “TripAdvisor” as the #9 best out of 120 restaurants in Sestri… and it is not even a restaurant!

They make fresh pasta and sauces daily and the townspeople line up to select from dozens of pasta choices and at least five sauces. We learned to order in the morning and go back in the late afternoon to pick up our selections (a little local secret). This is where we bought the BEST pesto EVER… remember that this region of Italy, Liguria, is the birthplace of the famous basil sauce.

You buy it by weight, take it home, cook and serve… in your own place you can even be wearing baggy, comfy clothing and flip-flops… and enjoy lots of wine too.

Gift-wrapped bundles… like a present

Friendly and patient staff

The selection changes daily

Liguria is FAMOUS for pesto… note the fork

Go All In and Do it Yourself

All this requires is a pasta shop, a greengrocer, a butcher and of course good local wine.  Italians usually shop daily for their ingredients, it becomes part of their everyday activity, and we emulated their routines… relished them is more like it.

 

The ingredients for a delicious meal

 

Accompanied by great wine

  

Immerse Yourself in a Small Italian Village

As if you really need a few more justifications… how about practicing your Italian and communicating with the local merchants?  After a repeat visit or two they actually greet you and occasionally add a little taste of something “on the house”.

The warmth of the Italian people and the adventure of “living” in the village makes an indelible, positive imprint on your travel memories.

A neighborhood bakery

                                                  A neighborhood cheese and salami shop

Domestic specialties

 Late afternoon aperitif

Outdoor music venues

 

Two Tranquil and Colorful Beach Options

 Baia del Silenzio (Bay of Silence) is the public beach 

 Popular with the locals

Houses are right at the water's edge

There is a peninsula separating the two beach areas which contains a great many historical sites dating back to the middle of the 12th century and the the Grand Hotel dei Castelli.  The area is preserved in a park like setting, with panoramic views and definitely worth the time to explore.

  Private residence

 Church circa 1151

 Baia delle Favole (Bay of Fables)

This is the main beach of Sestri and has both private and public areas

Expansive beach 

Water toys for rent

Private beach accommodations and services

In Summary

Strategically located on the Mediterranean Sea, in the middle of the Italian Riviera, is this vibrant and beautiful seaside village.  Sestri Levante has much to offer… all it takes is the time to savor the moments.

Please follow us in the next article… Cinque Terre and the Carrara marble side trips.

After all, what is the hurry… be inspired.

© 2016 Inspired Travel Itineraries with Bob and Janice Kollar

© 2016 Picture Credits Bob & Janice Kollar