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Cinque Terre - Cinqueterre - Liguria-far from nord tuscany 20 km |
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(Riomaggiore ,Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, Monterosso)
Cinque Terre Five miles of rocky coast south of Liguria, two promontories,
one at each end, endless lines of dry stone wall terraces cultivated
on vine, five hamlets on stony spurs or arranged in clusters in
tiny creeks: this is the sight of nature that awaits you! Recently
made a National Park and protected area from Unesco in 1977 as a
habitat of naturalistic interest .The area is characterized by the
typical steep hillsides cultivated on vine on terracing obtained
by means of laborious effort over the ages. |
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The evocative coast of overhanging cliffs alternated by charming
bays, gorges and small beaches, the clear deep sea water crowded
with a great variety of fish makes this area one of the “works of
art” of nature. |
| Routes
on foot: |
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The only way to enjoy the Cinque Terre is on foot. The train service
on the line Genova-La Spezia stops at all the villages on the coast
and the ferries make trips to and fro La Spezia, Lerici, Portovenere,
Levanto e Sestri Levante. Once there you can admire the Mediterranean
vegetation between sky and see. The land is in fact a close mesh
of paths, including the coastal one, which in five hours connects
one village to the other. This paths can be covered in single sections
or with more effort towards the ridges or the Sanctuaries: the routes
are many and all of them of great cultural interest.
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driven in mesh of paths, between which that coastal one, that it
catches up in five hours of way a country to the other, and it can
therefore be covered also at times single, or the demanding one
on the crinale or towards the Sanctuaries: the routes are numerous
and all of remarkable interesting for excursion and culture. |
| Diving-Tuscany : |
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The Panettone
The immersion begins in the first creek we meet by Punta di Montenero
leavin from Riomaggiore. We descend on the pebbly sea bed at approximately
9 metres in depth then following the wall towards east going down,
until the 3 metres high pinnacle covered in polychromatic horny
coral (Coelenterale) is reached. Once passed the rocky projection
we continue by going across a strip of sea bed parallel to the coast.
A few meters further we come across the western wall of the Panettone,
so called for its shape similar to the Italian Christmas cake. From
a sea bottom of 35 metres to a capping of –25. On this shoal rich
of gorges, several kinds of sea life ore found, including lobsters
and horny coral of considerable dimensions. We continue along the
shoal clockwise to reach the emersion point. The organic reef is
covered in sponges and many other organisms. From here the emersion
to the surface will be facilitated .
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Lover’s way
We dive beneath the Batteria Racchia underwater video cameras towards
a stratified drift of about 5 metres and follow, perpendicular to
the coast, the slightly declining profile of the sea bed. Once reached
18 metres, there is the first part of a steep escarpment that in
a short time leads us to the lobsters wall. More lobsters are found
on the muddy sea bottom 32 metres clockwise from the shoal. Continuing
on the set course, at a depth of about 28 metres we can encounter
some other members of the lobster specie and the dens of large school
of fish. Emerging to the surface, going back to the starting point
at about ten metres, we should stop to take a look at the clefts
of the rocks, to spot beautiful examples of typical Mediterranean
fish. |
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Ferry Service: |
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From La Spezia there are a number of ferries to reach Le Cinque
Terre.
From Viareggio:
La Zattera – Viareggio
Phone 0584 427242
Ferry service to Le Cinque Terre only throughout spring and summer.
Time
Charter
Ferry service to Le Cinque Terre and other islands of the coast
of Tuscany.
From La Spezia:
Monterosso – Vernazza
Manarola – Riomaggiore
The ferry service connects the above mentioned villages up to Riomaggiore.
Fares:
Daily €11,50 Reductions €6,50
Two ways Monterosso-Vernazza €4,50
One Way only €2,70
For further information
Consorzio Marittimo Turistico – Via Don Minzoni,13 – 10100 La Spezia
Tel. 0187/732987 – Fax. 0187/730336
navinfo@navigazionegolfodeipoeti.it
http://www.navigazionegolfodeipoeti.it/home.htm |
| Apuane
Alps on Tuscany: |
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The Apuan Alps are a mountain chain of complex morphology. Since
the Paleocene they have undergone endless changes due to sedimentation,
submersions and re-emersions. In general it can be said that the
core of the mountains is formed by sedimentation and metamorphosis.
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A non metamorphic nappe circles the core while various rocks such
as diabase, gabbro and serpentine frame the nappe Of some interest
are the numerous caves of different depths in which flow underground
natural streams. The stalagmites in the caves, make a spectacular
sight. |
The rocky surface of the Apuan Alps is characterised by steep
slopes, sharp cliffs and crests making the mountains similar to
the Alps; hence their name. Where the morphology of the ground has
allowed it, a luxuriant vegetation has established itself and since
the use for timber has diminished, several trees such as chestnuts,
oaks and beeches have grown in their ideal habitat forming woods
and forests of rare beauty. |
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REGIONAL
PARK OF THE ALPS APUANE
Extension: 20598 ehctares
Center: Via Corrado del Greco,11
55047 Seravezza (LU)
Phone 0584/75821
internet www.parcapuane.toscana.it |
Colonnata
Pig Speck
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Following the coastal road, our excursion will take us to
Viareggio from Tonfano for a distance of about 8km (approx.
45 minutes). Viareggio is a port of ancient seafaring traditions,
boasting numerous shipyards and a marine that accommodates
luxury yachts. Our next target is getting through town by
turning left at Piazza d’Azeglio into Via Garibaldi, passing
the town hall, turn right by Piazza Mercato Vecchio to get
to admire Torre Matilde, a watch tower and fort from the
XIV century. We now pouAint south to Torre del Lago by taking
Viale dei Tigli across the pine forest. Turn left at the
T-junction at the end of the road and we cycle straight
on till we get to the lake by which Puccini the composer
and musician lived.His house is a museum and can be visited.
Here end our tour. We have covered about 21 km in about
3 to 4 hours or maybe more if consider the stops to visit
the houses. |
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| Chocolate
Valley |
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The area in between Pisa and Prato, going through Montopoli, Monsummano
Terme and Agliana, is developing a quality hand production of chocolate.
In this parts many famous international chocolate craft-man meet
with promising young chocolate artisans to make sure to keep high
the quality of their chocolate. A few well known names of producers
and craft-man are Federico Salza of Pisa, Simone de Castro of Montopoli,
Andrea Slitti of Monsummano, “Cioccolato and C”, Massa and Cozzile
of Pistoia and and Corsini, the pioneer of chocolate in Tuscany
Corsini of Pistoia and Luca Mannori who holds the confectioner world
prize. In January this confectioners and others took part in “Cioccolosità”,
an event born to promote the “black gold mine” known to the press
as Chocolate Valley. |
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Natural hot spring baths Tuscany (vacation in Baths) |
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SPA baths are not only health centres but somewhere to socialize.
“Bonamus” was an ancient divinity who left his name to the river
Pò. The ancient cult is due to the exceptional therapeutic properties
of hot springs. Tuscany is the region in Italy who boasts the most
number of such centres, each chosen for different ailments. They
are the right place to spend a day in total relax while improving
your health. |
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