ShareSaveLifestyle TravelCan Stunning Lerici Be The Italian Riviera’s Next Hot Stop?ByCatherine Sabino Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights Catherine Sabino is an editor and author who writes about travel.Follow AuthorAug 11 08:32am EDTShareSaveThis article is more than 2 years old.Lerici and the Gulf of La Spezia with Palmaria Island in the distance More Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Cinque Terre’s fame has brought Italy’s southern Riviera new attention with travelers seeking out neighboring villages in search of extra helpings of rustic coastal charm although an outstanding destination in its own right has sometimes been dubbed the “sixth” of the five famed hamlets because of its proximity to the southernmost Cinque Terre the town of Lerici sits with tantalizing allure on the Gulf of La Spezia (”Gulf of Poets”) although on its lesser-known eastern shores it has been attracting notice from Cinque Terre fans but also from a cohort of privileged visitors the type who tends to turn up at international hot spots like Capri and Forte dei Marmi but for extended stays in secluded vacation homes (or to look at buying one) in the hills along the coast Lerici isn’t often referred to as Cinque Terre’s sixth or seventh town While it has all the elements you might expect in a bona fide Ligurian seaside haven The Lerici coast has long enjoyed a quiet mystique thanks first to the writers who became enthralled by and championed the region’s beauty as a cherished oasis for privacy-seeking elites has described the town and its surroundings as having “un anima complessa,” a complex soul one likely to become more complex as the area deals with the economic realities of travel today Geography has helped save Lerici from over-tourism although who knows if any place in such a gorgeous setting can remain free of it forever Lerici enjoys an expansive seafront that includes a lungomare running from its castle to the castle in the adjacent village of San Terenzo (about 1.5 miles away) There’s also a spacious waterside piazza with restaurants bars and gelaterias from which to enjoy the painterly sunsets makes it a blissful destination not only for sun worshippers but also for those who want to indulge in a variety of sea sports The surrounding hills are a magnet for hikers it’s also helping to shape the area’s contemporary travel strategy Making the most of Lerici’s varied coastal setting is a priority with an emphasis on initiatives that will attract the sports-minded traveler outlines a range of these experiences (sailing windsurfing) tailored to various travelers’ needs Here’s what else you need to know about Lerici for a memorable stay The town has an active cultural calendar in summer celebrating Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792 – 1822) who lived near .. considering that Lerici’s early notice came from prominent writers (Dante Lawrence) who visited or lived in this part of Liguria although there are many music and other art events as well Lerici celebrates the bicentenary of the death of Percy Bysshe Shelly with a program that runs through October; held the Lerici Music Festival in July and August; and hosts the annual Premio Lerici Pea Golfo dei Poeti Prize a major literary competition with prizes awarded in various categories The Lifetime Achievement Award this year will go to the 2022 Nobel Prize Winner for Literature where silvery plaques commemorate winners of the Pea award Art events can pop up anywhere in Lerici—in the castles which become settings for exhibits and lectures a striking installation by Rossana Rotondi ahead of such better-known areas on the gilded swath of land that makes up the eastern Riviera as Portofino and Cinque Terre “Property prices have been high for at least 30 years and have never gone down,” says Paoletti The Idealista ranking certainly didn’t surprise pros in the business, like Francesco Mottini, an architect and designer with The Dream Real Estate which specializes in luxury properties in southern Liguria “In recent years properties with values above 10 million euros have been sold,” he says A villa overlooking the Gulf for sale in Lerici by The Dream Real Estate One of the reasons for Lerici’s attraction is its location so it hasn’t become a day-tripper’s destination “Unlike the Cinque Terre where the railway line stops in each [town] La Spezia or Carrara and from there move by public transport or taxi,” says Mottini In addition to the absence of a train station and the crowds that it could bring the Lerici Coast offers the kind of settings where buyers can expect exceptional privacy—the villas aren’t centered in one posh district but are discreetly spread out amid tiny hamlets in the pine-covered hills facing the sea Another reason for soaring prices is that besides well-heeled Italians in search of a seaside perch Lerici has been attracting major international money including Russian buyers who became familiar with the area after vacationing in Forte dei Marmi “Many Russian families have bought properties here in the last few years,” says Paoletti British and American buyers have also been part of the mix Even though Lerici and its neighboring villages don’t have train stations the town is well positioned to access the type of amenities popular with elite visitors “Within a radius of 30 kilometers there are all kinds of services that this type of clientele expects to find such as the high fashion boutiques of Forte dei Marmi and several Michelin-star restaurants managing to combine the best of several Italian regions within a short distance.” He points out that Lerici is located “only 30 minutes from Forte dei Marmi an hour and 30 minutes from Florence and a few kilometers from important ports such as Porto Lotti and Porto Mirabello Umbrellas and chairs at beach clubs near Lerici Whether your taste runs to wide sandy beaches or idyllic cove settings you won’t lack for choice along the Lerici coast which reaches roughly from the villages of San Terenzo to Tellaro Seven of the beaches have Bandiera Blu ratings (for meeting cleanliness and environmental standards) on the northernmost beach of the same name In Lerici itself there are many places to take a swim Among the best known clubs is the Lido di Lerici its long rows of deep blue umbrellas sitting in precise formation by the sea The public San Giorgio cove beaches are accessible from a path by the castle For one of the most memorable beach experiences anywhere in Italy head to Eco del Mare Night and Day Beach Club located a short drive from Lerici in Maramozza VIPs and creatives who come for the privacy boho-chic decor and perfect cove-beach setting is actually a boutique hotel and restaurant It allows for non-hotel guests to use the stunning beach depending on availability In Fiascherino there are a pair of family-run hotels fronting exquisite bay beaches. The Hotel Fiascherino managed by the sister team of Simonetta and Giovanna Fiori where it grew from a beach club to include a restaurant and the present-day hotel Facing the Fiascherino bay and near a house where D.H popular with Scandinavian and other northern European visitors Shrimp and pepper salad at Locanda Il Senatore A short walk away is the Locanda Il Senatore so even those not staying at the property can take advantage of the beautiful beach where loungers are literally at water’s edge The Locanda has an excellent seasonal restaurant with a spacious terrace overlooking the sea The hotel's terraces overlook the Gulf and the Palmaria archipelago Not surprisingly, hotels in town have been built to take advantage of the sea views and proximity to the water. One of these is the recently refurbished Hotel Byron Lerici a restaurant with sea views and a sophisticated menu The hotel also has an arrangement with a nearby beach club (there’s an extra fee) “There’s always something to do in Lerici,” says Damiano Pinelli Lerici harbor seen from the Hotel Shelley e Delle Palme San Terenzo, a nice walk along the lungomare from Lerici, is the small town where Percy Shelley once lived with his wife Mary, author of Frankenstein. Their former home, Villa Magni, a stark white structure opposite the sea promenade, is now privately owned, but you can visit the town’s medieval castle, which offers magnificent sea views. Just an hour along the Ligurian coast from the original tourist honey trap, Sian Meades-Williams discovers in the Bay of Poets a less-crowded destination with just as much charm The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers When you purchase through links on our site Just an hour along the Ligurian coast from the original tourist honey trap, Sian Meades-Williams discovers in the Bay of Poets a less-crowded destination with just as much charm I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Conversation came to a low hush as Mishka pushed her way through the crowd. I watched her sashay down to the edge of the sea before turning back, impatient. It’s not unusual for Italians to take a sunset walk before dinner – that orange sky is why I had settled myself in prime position on a tiny rocky harbour Mishka takes a walk with her owners to watch the sunset She lives in a pastel-hued stone house on the edge of Tellaro a village in the commune of Lerici with a population of just 1,200 The stroll takes Mishka through the small cluster of tables outside Bar La Marina where friends and locals stop to say hello Tellaro isn’t far from Italy’s most famous collection of towns, the Cinque Terre, where 2.4 million tourists descend each year. Even in shoulder season, the towns can feel a lot like Disneyland version of Italy so it’s not surprising that holidaymakers are considering alternatives I hadn’t expected to find one just an hour away The reasons that the Cinque Terre is so beloved – the colourful houses squished right up next to one another those nippy little passageways and stone steps – are right here in the towns of Lerici Read more on Italy travel: With its tiny harbour hidden down steps around the back of its main square, Tellaro could easily rival the Instagram-famous town of Vernazza (the #Vernazza hashtag has over half a million tags on Instagram; Tellaro has a more humble 71,000) There’s no national park status or special train fare for this part of Liguria – there isn’t even a train station That lack of railway line has kept Lerici and its surrounding villages relatively off the radar although one big plus point in Lerici’s favour is that you can drive around trains or walking boots are your only options If you’d still rather go car-free, Italy’s public transport system is your friend Lerici is an easy 40-minute bus ride from La Spezia The onward bus to Tellaro is little more than a wobbly minivan but the cliffside views more than make up for it Lerici – the area’s gateway town – could easily be compared to Monterosso the largest of the five coastal settlements that make up the Cinque Terre It’s an abundance of cute shops and waterfront restaurants capitalising on the Bay of Poets stretching out in front of the town; the most prominent options are best avoided for lunch stick to drinks if you want to watch the boats And, where the Cinque Terre towns can feel a little homogenous, Lerici has created its own vibe and an enormous cultural calendar I was sad to have missed the literary festival by just a few days an event that sees author events and boat trips combine There’s a summer music festival and – thanks in part to Keats Shelley and Byron – several annual poetry gatherings It’s this town where you’ll find Villa Magni the white stucco house that Percy and Mary Shelley rented until his tragic death in 1822 about a 20-minute walk from Lerici’s more luxurious sunbathing options You could go all day without speaking to anyone a small ferry travels between Lerici and the Cinque Terre But after a couple of days on the Bay of Poets you might just decide to stay exactly where you are your aperitivo may even include a visit from Tellaro’s favourite cat You can fly to Genoa or Pisa from mainland UK airports with British Airways and easyJet it’s around a 90-minute train journey to La Spezia and a short bus ride along the coast to Lerici – all part of the adventure Not only does Hotel il Nido have its own (very tiny) beach it also has a strong commitment to Italy’s love of breakfast pastries Read more on the best hotels on the Amalfi Coast Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies {"adUnitPath":"71347885/_main_independent/gallery","autoGallery":true,"disableAds":false,"gallery":[{"data":{"title":"iStock-489843764.jpg","description":"Lerici colorful village. Harbor, sea bay, boats, fortress and houses. Five lands, Cinque Terre, Ligury Italy Europe.","caption":"Skip the Cinque Terre and plump for Lerici Skip the Cinque Terre and plump for Lerici Sian Meades-Williams discovers in the Bay of Poets a less-crowded destination with just as much charm Best in Travel is here! Discover 2025’s destinations The 30 best countries, cities and regions to visit in 2025 Plan your trip with Elsewhere, by Lonely Planet See where a Lonely Planet Membership takes you Subscribe to our weekly newsletters to get the latest travel news, expert advice, and insider recommendations Explore the world with our detailed, insightful guidebooks Stay ahead of the curve with our guidebooks Uncover exciting new ways to explore iconic destinations Every month, we release new books into the wild Search Search Close search menu Explore Best in Travel 2024 Africa Close menu Countries Antarctica Antarctica Close menu Regions Asia Asia Close menu Countries Australia & the Pacific Australia & the Pacific Close menu Countries The Caribbean The Caribbean Close menu Countries Central America Central America Close menu Countries Europe Europe Close menu Countries Middle East Middle East Close menu Countries North America North America Close menu Countries South America South America Close menu Countries causing headaches for residents and visitors alike While we shouldn’t avoid those spots because of the crowds – they’re popular for a reason, and there are ways to visit them conscientiously – another option is simply to go somewhere else Beyond the famed cities and sights flavors and communities that continue to draw eager visitors to Italy You’ll never replicate a place – there’s only one Colosseum after all – but when you focus on the particular attractions of a famous locale you can often discover a comparable town with its own twist Check out these suggestions and cruise canals in Treviso linger on beaches in Lerici and find other alter egos for Italy's top destinations Treviso’s walkable centro storico (historic center) is woven with cobbled lanes and crossed by canals, which date back to the 15th century and give the city its Little Venice moniker. You won’t be getting a gondola or vaporetto in this inland city, but you can get a taste of the food, culture and history of the Veneto housed in the deconsecrated church of Santa Margherita. While meandering through an alley or across the dramatic Piazza dei Signori or a spritz – and some cicchetti (Venetian tapas) And don’t leave without gobbling a tiramisu; the world-famous dessert was invented right here Planning tip: Treviso is well placed for day trips to Padua, prosecco country, or Venice itself Renaissance architecture and Tuscan cuisine To step inside Lucca’s Renaissance-era walls is to be thrust almost immediately back in time Built as the fortified capital of the medieval Republic of Lucca the city makes for perfect strolling territory today Take in all 360 degrees of the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro; the Roman amphitheater after which it’s named is no more, but the piazza has retained its elliptical shape. After a coffee at one of the bars here, head to the Cattedrale di San Martino Lucca’s cathedral was built between the 13th and 15th centuries and is home to the Volto Santo di Lucca (Holy Face of Lucca) This wooden carving of Christ has been dated to the 8th or 9th century making it the oldest wooden sculpture in the Western world look for tordelli lucchese: this extra meaty pasta is filled with beef or pork make sure to park outside the city walls to avoid hefty fines – and consider a trip to the hills around Lucca Book ahead for tastings at the many wineries The island and verdant hills fringing Lago d’Iseo are rich in opportunities for hiking traversing via ferrata (mountain trails with cables and ladders) and hang gliding while the waters themselves allow for swimming The southern end of the lake backs into the Franciacorta wine region which produces some of Italy’s most prestigious sparkling wine Franciacorta uses the same traditional bottle-fermentation method as champagne Planning tip: You’ll need to narrow down your accommodation and activity options – head to visitlakeiseo.info to get your bearings Lerici is on the so-called Golfo dei Poeti (Gulf of the Poets), a horseshoe running from here to Porto Venere near the southern tip of the Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre Take in the views as you walk along the waterfront from San Terenzo you have the lush Ligurian hills behind the town; on the other the shimmering Mediterranean; and up ahead Lerici’s San Giorgio castle looks down on its main piazza and out to sea While there is a long stretch of public and fee-paying beaches along Lerici’s main frontage Sneak through the pedestrian tunnel underneath to arrive at La Caletta a small cove fringed by a string of pretty sands Planning tip: From the jetty at the piazza, you can take boat trips around the gulf, across to Porto Venere and Palmaria, or around the promontory to Cinque Terre which fuses late baroque and neoclassical styles Beyond the church lies the cave-dwelling complex of Chiafura, occupied until the 1950s, when the residents were relocated due to the miserable living conditions in the caves. While their former homes can be seen from various vantage points around town, the cave system forms an archaeological site not usually open to the public. However, those interested can visit A Rutta ri Ron Carmelo While Scicli is not on the coast, a short drive brings you to beaches at Donnalucata or Sampieri. The latter, just 10 minutes away, is a glorious 2km (1.25-mile) sweep of golden sand. If you have a spare day, visit nearby Modica and try cioccolato di Modica an unusual chocolate made using a traditional method that renders the sweet grainy rather than smooth wander the evocative cobbled streets of the pedestrianized center explore the frescoed churches and climb to the Fortezza Albornoz for views over the city and the landscape beyond the crumbly filled flatbread typical of Urbino Planning tip: Time your trip for the first weekend of September to witness the intriguing Festa dell’Aquilone (Kite Festival) The team kite-flying contest is held in a park outside of town but it’s accompanied by parades and events in the city center Its tiny circular centro storico ("Locorotondo" means "round place") stands guard over the surrounding plains the cupola and bell tower of its Chiesa Madre di San Giorgio Martire unmistakable against the sky And the center feels every bit as compact as it looks from the outside narrow alleyways forming capillaries between the whitewashed townhouses Locorotondo is distinguished by its denominazione di origine controllata (controlled denomination of origin, or DOC) white wine. It pairs wonderfully with a Puglian classic like orecchiette con cime di rapa (ear-shaped pasta with turnip tops), to be enjoyed at the leisurely pace befitting southern Italy Planning tip: While Locorotondo’s town doesn’t offer the jumbled trulli zone that has made Alberobello Insta-famous you can still stay in any number of trullo accommodations around the outskirts Pick one and use it as a base to explore the region Cetara is best known across Italy for its food Perhaps the most curious innovation with these ingredients is colatura di alici (anchovy drippings) a sauce whose name pretty much explains the production process whiskey-colored liquid is commonly used as an umami dressing for spaghetti For active days, hit the hiking routes that snake up into the hills and along the coast. For lazing, head to the town’s beaches. Much of the main beach is occupied by lidi (beach resorts) that charge for entry and an umbrella; if you don’t want to pay, get to the free areas early in the day. Planning tip: As the beaches are pebbled rather than sandy, a pair of swim shoes is a good idea – especially for children – to prevent slips and bruises. This site uses technical (necessary) and analytics cookies Il sito ufficiale dell'Ambasciata d'Italia a Londra 2025 – The Italian Embassy in London hosted the presentation of the ninth edition of the Lerici Music Festival The evening featured the Artistic Directors of the Festival who introduced the 2025 program titled “Music Head of International Development for the festival who spoke about the event’s expansion and the role of London and its international audience in supporting it “Under the artistic direction of Giuseppe Bruno and Gianluca Marcianò this festival has grown into an internationally significant cultural event bringing world-class music to one of Italy’s most enchanting locations: the Gulf of Poets,” said Ambassador Inigo Lambertini in his opening remarks The evening concluded with a live performance by harpist Alexander Boldachev and soprano Betty Makharinsky offering a glimpse of the extraordinary musical quality that defines the Festival The 2025 edition of the Lerici Music Festival will take place from July 24 to August 4 featuring a rich musical program ranging from Baroque music to opera will unfold through an artistic journey that celebrates the power of memory through music and art emphasizing culture’s essential role as a tool for dialogue and reflection Among the most highly anticipated events are evenings dedicated to great cinema and classical music creating a perfect fusion of image and sound The festival will open with a tribute to Hollywood soundtracks and Gershwin performed by exceptional artists The historic Fortezza Firmafede will set the stage for captivating productions such as “Tchaikovsky in Cinema” exploring the Russian composer’s influence on film music A standout moment will be the performance of “The King’s Speech” and Beethoven under the direction of Pinchas Zukerman Silent cinema will come to life with a screening of Buster Keaton’s “Sherlock Jr.” The festival will conclude with “Cinema & Opera” a journey through the most celebrated arias by Puccini performed by the extraordinary soprano Carmen Giannattasio The performances will take place in stunning historical venues To discover the full program and all details about the Lerici Music Festival 2025, visit the official website: www.lericimusicfestival.com For further information: stampa.amblondra@esteri.it 30 April 2025 – The Italian Embassy in London hosted the seventh episode of.. 7 April 2025 – On the occasion of the National Made in Italy Day,.. 2025 – The Italian Embassy in London was delighted to host.. 2025 – The Italian Embassy in London hosted the sixth episode of.. Following the success of the first edition 2025 – On the eve of the highly anticipated England-Italy Six Nations.. February 12 – The first in a series of debates dedicated to sustainable navigation.. Italian Threads: Conversations on Fashion returns—a series of.. Tel:00442073122200 E-mail: ambasciata.londra@esteri.it PEC:amb.londra@cert.esteri.it Contact our offices Farnesina – the MAECI Diplomatic network Viaggiare sicuri Dove siamo nel mondo Italian Government Europa.eu Faqs – MAECI About us Italy and United Kingdom Consular Services and visas Contacts Transparent administration – Embassy Maeci – esteri.it We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions You will find detailed information on all cookies under each consent category below “Necessary” cookies are technical cookies stored in your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functions of the website We also use analytics cookies to collect information about the number of users visiting the site and how they interact with it In order to respect the privacy of our users the IP addresses of those who browse the website are made anonymous You can choose whether to enable or disable analytics cookies Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page LERICI SPORTS: Cavo, Avvenente, Iaci, Telara, Casazza, Barrile, Virdis, Casagrande, Italians, Cats, Menicocci, Giusti, Torquati, Toracca. Sellaroli All. Scorers: Rocchi 1, Lengueglia 1, Corio 4, Agostini 1, Cesini 1 (I); Telara 1, Casazza 2, Barrile 1, Virdis 1, Gatti 2, Menicocci 2 (L). The Bay of Poets on the Ligurian coast is a quieter Lilly Graves is a Los Angeles-based travel writer or gardening and cooking at home with her husband For travellers looking for inspiration for their next city break, dozens of best-of lists abound. But for those in search of a slower pace, natural scenery and local traditions, there's a different resource to turn to: the world's best tourism villages according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) For the past three years, the UNWTO has recognised villages across the world that "are leading the way in nurturing rural areas and preserving landscapes, cultural diversity, local values and culinary traditions", and it has just put out its list for 2023 These 54 villages were selected based on nine different criteria including how well they are preserving (and showcasing) their natural environment their commitment to economic and environmental sustainability and their conservation of cultural heritage we take a look at five of the most interesting rural villages around the world from the new list located in the Japanese Alps about 45km west of Nagano the next year to buy property – and has lived there ever since As a hotelier himself Anderson says Hakuba's culture of hospitality makes it particularly welcoming for visitors only to find them booked up; but rather than being sent away he was invited to put a futon down in the hallway "The policy is never to turn anyone away This tradition of hospitality has likely developed for practical reasons that makes for excellent skiing and boarding which is surrounded by 10 different ski resorts hosted many of the events of the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics there is still enough snow on the mountains to ski While Hakuba may be famous for its winters, it's worth a visit year-round, said Anderson. In the summer, he loves hiking up the mountains to lodges. In the autumn, it is popular with visitors who want to see the autumn foliage. And Hakuba's onsens – hot springs – are popular no matter the season "There's not a day that goes by where I don't look up at the mountains and just really appreciate how beautiful this place is," Anderson said Lerici has welcomed great names in culture literature and art who have chosen it as a place of inspiration," said Lerici mayor Leonardo Paoletti novelist Virginia Woolf and writer and director Pier Paolo Pasolini "Today this legacy persists." which includes scientific research and monitoring of the bay and its ecosystems banned single-use plastics and prohibited cigarette smoking in coastal areas it's to become a destination "that not only captivates with its natural beauty but also stands as a model for environmental triumph" it's hard to beat the village of Lephis around 160km south of the Ethiopian capital Travellers can trek or horseback ride past the striking Lephis Waterfall and through hills and valleys catching glimpses of animals including colobus monkeys Birdwatchers are in for a particular treat with species including the Abyssian oriole and white-cheeked turaco "I often go there with tourists to see fauna and flora," said Biruk Chiksa, a tour guide at Venture Ethiopia Tour and Travel "I love it a lot." And as Chiksa points out The forest is home to some 2,000 households many of which are now supported by what's called Lephis Ecotourism Village – a community-based initiative to preserve local heritage and help the community Visitors can see handicrafts like beaded jewellery and wood carvings being made from local grass and bamboo thanks to the village's Mishike Handicraft Association Traditional stone houses with red-tiled roofs views of the surrounding Batroun Mountains centuries-old churches and a recently restored souk: the village of Douma "My first impression was the beauty of the village," said Rana Tanissa, a Lebanese archaeologist and rural tourism consultant who writes about travel to Lebanon "And the history of the village is incredible – one feels as if you're entering a history book." Douma's commitment to preserving its architectural and cultural heritage and "avoiding chaotic urban expansion" played a major role in its selection to the 2023 list The UNWTO notes that Douma has protected other aspects of its cultural heritage Many of the ingredients come from local farms and vineyards Douma isn't just about tradition: the village has undertaken a number of new green initiatives including using 600 solar panels to generate electricity for the village There's another quality that immediately struck her about the village: the kindness of its people but they'll guide [them] throughout the village." To make the most of a stay in Douma (and get to know locals) Tanissa advises staying in one of the village's guest houses where local families make traditional food from the region Six years ago, after spending three decades working as a teacher in other parts of Colombia, Guillermo Rincón Velandia decided to launch the tour company Colombia Trails SAS – and he returned to his native town of Zapatoca and they echo why the UNWTO lists Zapatoca as one of its best tourism villages for 2023 Located on a plateau between three canyons some 1,700m above sea level Zapatoca has a "rich and unique geological heritage" including some of the oldest marine fossils in the world is remarkably stable: it maintains a temperature of about 20C year-round leading locals to call it "The Village with the Silk-Like Climate" The town's cultural heritage is also notable, from its whitewashed 18th-Century houses with terracotta roofs that mix Republican and colonial styles to its religious architecture and history (it's been nicknamed the "Levitical City" thanks to the number of its chapels and churches) "Zapatoca is a town that has kept the arts alive," said Velandia Join more than three million BBC Travel fans by liking us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter and Instagram If you liked this story, sign up for The Essential List newsletter – a handpicked selection of features, videos and can't-miss news delivered to your inbox every Friday. Japanese sashiko: The art of stitching storiesSashiko is a 400-year-old Japanese stitching technique. What makes it unique? Rome's most stunning optical illusions revealedFrom the Malta Knights keyhole to a set of vanishing columns, discover the Eternal City's visual secrets. Steven Isserlis: 'I want to be a voice in their heads'In an intimate portrait, acclaimed cellist Steven Isserlis opens up about why he loves teaching young musicians. Watch rare sperm found by AI in IVF labWe go inside a New York City lab developing new tech to increase IVF success rates for patients. Just how dangerous is space debris?In the past decade, the dramatic surge in satellite launches has left space cluttered with junk. How your 'second brain' changes the way you thinkThe connection between our brain and gut has a profound effect on our wellbeing. We look at ways to improve it. Seven images that transformed our world viewWatch how the maps and images of our planet from above have changed over the last two millennia. Lemur mom has ingenious idea to save newborn from ticksNewly discovered behaviour shows a group of lemur mothers inventing a self-medication method involving ants. Uncovering a hangar full of rare historic campervansWatch what happens when we try to take one of the world's oldest motor homes, a 1935 Pontiac, for a spin. Lilly Sabri talks after two year silence on social mediaThe fitness influencer went silent after a story about her fiancee allegedly cheating went viral. Highly unlikely for tariffs to be ratcheted up, expert saysDavid Waddell says markets have sniffed out that there are reasons to be less pessimistic in this environment. Week in Markets - 25 Apr 2025A weekly summary of the big stories from financial markets around the world. Exploring the desert secrets of a lost Nabataean worldAn art critic uncovers mysteries from this ancient culture within Saudi Arabia's sandy landscape. The tech that can help you pick better perfumesCan AI help this BBC reporter simplify her perfume choices? Watch rare Gobi bear's reaction to finding waterSo rare they were thought to be a myth and undertake arduous journeys of up to 100 miles to find water. The spectacle of a great Pelican feeding bonanzaThe dam at Marsh Lake, Minnesota, has created an unexpected opportunity for pelicans. The ancient history of Iceland's warring Viking familiesThe Travel Show visits an immersive experience that brings to life a brutal battle between Iceland's Vikings. Yannick Nézet-Séguin: From child podigy to modern maestroThe renowned conductor and music director of the Met Opera reveals how a calling became his lifelong journey. Explore the tiny biodegradable pacemaker for newbornsResearchers have created a pacemaker smaller than a grain of rice that does not require open surgery to implant. Why you might be younger than you think you areThere is a difference between our chronological and biological age, which we have the power to control. As Romania's bear population grows, so do the opportunities for travellers to come face to face with the predators in a responsible way. Turning lawns into meadows can have big benefits for people, wildlife and the climate. Here's why 'meadowscaping' has become the latest gardening craze. Herefordshire Council says nearly a fifth of households in the county are living in fuel poverty. Katarina Zimmer put vinegar to the test as a cleaning product and discovered a wide range of benefits, for people and the planet. For 16 generations, master gardeners in this one family have dedicated their lives to preserving one of the nation's most cherished – and highly sought-out – symbols. Christian Davies selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter When you go to see Kim Dae-chul about a suit At Atelier Lerici, the tailoring house he founded in 2005 and now runs from a secluded villa on the side of Seoul’s Namsan Mountain Kim fits his clients out in handmade suits that he hopes will redefine the waning tradition of Korean bespoke tailoring Rather than adopting a British or Italian taste Kim’s tailoring practice has his own style and focuses on achieving “perfect harmony between the suit and the human body” Inspired by the gentle lines of Korean ceramics he wants each of Lerici’s suits – created for both men and women – to be subtly unique “like a line drawn without a ruler” Coats and jackets in progress in the workshop © Taemin HaMaster tailor Lee Min Yeob at work on a coat © Taemin HaInside the sparsely decorated house everything from the front door to the mannequins displaying his tailoring and the wooden boardroom table set on a two-tonne block of granite was designed by Kim “The goal in my life is to achieve beauty in everything I make,” he says Each jacket or coat can take up to 110 hours for one of the atelier’s eight tailors to produce customers have three fittings – one after two months “The ambition is to express the subconsciousness of the customer,” says Kim of his aesthetic “It must emerge without a trace of deliberate production or effort” If at the end of the process the customer does not want the suit A suit in progress at the atelier © Taemin HaA wool coat in progress © Taemin HaThe 2000s saw a boom in the country’s luxury sector as it came roaring back from the financial crisis in Asia in the late 1990s but very few luxury products were rooted in Korean culture and the country’s tailors have largely been driven out of the bespoke business by an influx of foreign brands A former marketeer for the subversive Korean magazine Deep Well (which was banned by the country’s former dictatorship during the 1980s) Kim hopes the shop will help restore traditions of Korean craftsmanship to the international stage Suits in progress in the workshop; customers are refunded if they don’t want their suit when it is completed © Taemin HaRecommended Today, Kim’s clients are getting younger, with an increasing number of clients in their 20s and 30s, despite prices that are more than double those of most bespoke Korean suits – from Won5mn (about £3,150) these Koreans are more wedded to expression than to tradition Old money “doesn’t like to hear from me what might suit them” Christian Davies is the FT’s Seoul bureau chief A VILLAGE in Italy has been dubbed the "pearl of the Gulf" for decades - and it won't be overrun with hordes of holidaymakers dubbed Lerici the "pearl of the Gulf" in the 19th century thanks to its breathtaking beauty Set on the Italian Riviera Lerici is known for its multi-coloured houses While other towns along the Italian Riviera like Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore often see hordes of holidaymakers In total, the awards recognised more than 54 villages from all over the world, including Lephis in Ethiopia and Caleta Tortel in Chile and efforts to protect marine biodiversity The small Italian town is home to the Santa Teresa Smart Bay an underwater laboratory used to monitor and protect the bay's ecosystem At a 50-minute drive away, Pisa Airport is the closest Italian airport to Lerici. The Italian village can also be reached on a train, although this journey can take over two hours. with prices starting from as little as £20 for a one-way ticket Hotels in Lerici are relatively affordable too Sun Online Travel has found an overnight stay at Albergo Serena, a three-star hotel There are even other spots too, like Hotel San Terenzo - a beachfront hotel where rooms cost £60 per night per person According to Trip Numbers while a meal at an inexpensive restaurant can cost just €15 (£13) per person When booking a trip, summer is the best time to go as temperatures can reach 28C While Lerici isn't as well known as some of the other towns and villages along the Italian Riviera there are plenty of things to do in the coastal town One of the village's main attractions is Castello di Lerici - a medieval castle built to protect the village from invaders Set high above the village's shoreline, the castle promises breathtaking views along the coastline Other attractions include Castello di San Terenzo, a medieval watchtower that houses art exhibitions While the watchtower is temporarily closed The Italian village is also home to plenty of golden sandy beaches like Lido di Lerici Other nearby attractions include a visit to the Italian city of La Spezia Italy certainly isn't short of tourist attractions In the Italian Riviera, a popular attraction is set to reopen to the public after being closed for more than 10 years Via dell’Amore in Italy's Cinque Terre (a group of five towns along the Italian Riviera) will reopen next year The popular walking route was forced to close after a landslide but it has since been cleared and restored Meanwhile, travel experts and holidaymakers have dubbed Treviso, a city in the north of Italy, "Little Venice" thanks to its canals Holidaymakers will be able to spread the cash even further in the city of Florence The local language in Lerici is Italian, but English will be spoken at hotels and restaurants throughout the village The local currency is the Euro There are currently no Covid restrictions and Brits can stay in Italy for up to 90 days without a visa However, your passport must have at least three months left after the day you plan to leave We've rounded up all the easy tourist mistakes that can get you into big trouble in Italy Meanwhile, some beaches in Italy are charging tourists to sunbathe Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/ Midsize elderly vessels have been renamed under Turkish owner’s gas-to-power branding Turkey’s Karpowership has bought two midsize steam turbine LNG carriers from Malaysia’s MISC as it expands its fleet to supply gas to its powerships. TradeWinds has learned that Karadeniz-controlled Karpowership concluded its purchase of the 65,000-cbm Portovenere (built 1997) and sister ship Lerici (built 1998) some weeks ago. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Your data on TradeWinds TradeWinds is part of DN Media Group AS From November 1st DN Media Group is responsible for controlling your data on TradeWinds We use your data to ensure you have a secure and enjoyable user experience when visiting our site. You can read more about how we handle your information in our privacy policy DN Media Group is the leading news provider in the shipping, seafood, and energy industries, with a number of English- and Norwegian-language news publications across a variety of sectors. Read more about DN Media Group here TradeWinds is part of NHST Global Publications AS and we are responsible for the data that you register with us and the data we collect when you visit our websites We use cookies in a variety of ways to improve your experience such as keeping NHST websites reliable and secure personalising content and ads and to analyse how our sites are being used For more information and how to manage your privacy settings please refer to our privacy and cookie policies Home » Intermarine Wins Contract for Italian Navy’s New Generation MCM Vessel a company in the Immsi industrial group (IMS.MI) has signed a contract to study “risk reduction and definition of the project for a new-generation minehunter” for the Italian Navy The contract relates to the programs for the modernisation of the Italian Navy’s fleet of mine countermeasure vessels as set out in the Long-Term Defence Policy Documents of the last two years provide for the construction of 12 new vessels over the coming years to replace the Navy’s four Lerici class minehunters and eight Gaeta class minehunters The new boats will be built in two versions using the same construction technology as the Navy’s existing vessels (i.e. with the hull in ultra-thick fibreglass without a reinforced frame) An initial version approximately 60 metres long will be the natural evolution of the boats currently in service In addition to larger dimensions and higher performance it will also incorporate a number of unmanned surface and underwater systems in line with the latest trends in the sector will be a new-generation vessel and therefore has no immediate design references either in Italy or internationally with regard to size and performance It will employ new propulsion systems and a wide range of autonomous vehicles and equipment The purpose of the study commissioned from Intermarine is to examine the various propulsion systems indicated today and select the most suitable system for the new vessels particularly for the “d’Altura” version the Italian Navy will choose the design it considers most appropriate as the basis for the development of the basic project in preparation for the start-up of future production Naval News comments:The new generation ocean going minehunter program (CNG-A) is part of the new shipbuilding plan of the Italian Navy Funding are included in the Italian MoD’s Multi-year Planning Document (Documento Programmatico Pluriennale – DPP) 2020-2022 for initial studies on a new component of 12 ocean-going multi-purpose mine countermeasures (MCM) vessels capable to operate unmanned vehicles There will also be a different vessel known as CNG-C (new generation minehunter – coastal) It appears that the Royal Navy will be using vessels of opportunity as mothership for the foreseeable future An Intermarine representative reached out to Naval News to add the following information: Please note that the INTERMARINE NG MCMVs will be able to operate both in STAND OFF mode according to the motto: “Unmanned where you can Thanks to the unique Intermarine technology this new project represents a win-win solution consisting in the integration of the Unmanned Systems onboard newly designed “real” Mine Countermeasure Platforms Low signature and high shock resistance are still a must no drawback from the original “Lerici” project and nothing shared with the other underway projects Naval News brings you news coverage of the latest naval defense shows & events We are also reporting on naval technology from all over the world Economic turbulence in Asia has blown considerable uncertainty over many of the world's LNG projects That's according to several major studies published in late 1998 that reviewed the world's LNG industry for 1997 the most recent year for which full data are available Looking at industry performance were the Institute of Gas Technology (IGT) Ill.; the Society of International Gas Tanker & Terminals Operators Ltd optimistic forecasts for natural-gas demand in Asia had fueled a flurry of plans for new liquefaction plants the economic crisis that started early in that year and spread into 1998 and 1999 has made many of those plans problematic In 1997, IGT calculates, world LNG trade rose 12.6% to a record 111 billion cu m (Fig. 1 [79,582 bytes]) total world natural-gas consumption and pipeline imports remained more or less unchanged from 1996 at 2.3 trillion cu m and 520 billion cu m several forecasts indicated that world gas use would increase more rapidly than other energy sources surpassing coal by 2015 to become the second most widely used fuel (after petroleum) This growth would be driven mostly by power-generation projects a pace of 8%/year through 2015 in Asia alone lacking sufficient domestic resources to meet burgeoning domestic demand for natural gas seemed likely to become important markets for natural gas supplied both by tanker and pipeline But the economic outlook for the entire region The IGT study notes three major areas of impact: Nevertheless, Asia has been and continues to be the major recipient of LNG as well as the major supplier, along with the Middle East. IGT's study shows Asia's continued dominance of LNG imports and exports (Table 1 [100,860 bytes]) and Taiwan received shipments of 75% of the world's LNG trade (Table 1) held 58% of the total but its market grew by only 6.5% in 1997 In 1998, a third train of the Qatargas project came on stream (OGJ, Aug. 24, 1998, p. 41). Of the four other projects planned (Table 2 [184,970 bytes]) Almost all the rest was shipped to Europe Italy resumed LNG imports in 1997 with the recommissioning of its terminal at Panigaglia (OGJ imports in 1997 nearly doubled for the second year in a row it remains a relatively small niche market for LNG (OGJ Asia and Australia accounted for two-thirds of all LNG production (Table 1) The world's largest producer by far remained Indonesia with 32% of total sales though proportionally this was down from 35% in 1996 Exports from Malaysia rose 22% in 1997 on the heels of a 29% increase in 1996 reflecting the commissioning of the Malaysia LNG Dua plant in 1996 Algeria's exports continued to rise as the revamping of its plants neared completion Qatar became the world's ninth exporting country at the beginning of 1997 and by the end of the decade will be exporting more than 12 million mty and Nigeria will soon join the exporting ranks The liquefaction process licensed by Air Products & Chemicals Inc (APCI) is used in all the trains except the GL4Z and GL1K in Algeria (the TEAL process licensed by Technip which is no longer marketed); GL2K in Algeria (Pritchard Corp.'s Prico process); and the Kenai Of the five new plants under construction The Atlantic LNG project in Trinidad and Tobago is installing Phillips' Optimized Cascade process APCI's design employs a propane precooled/mixed refrigerant process that it patented in 1973 It is a hybrid of the cascade and mixed-refrigerant processes Propane is used to pre-cool the natural gas from 40° C A mixed-refrigerant process is used to subcool the gas from -30° C The Phillips process is three refrigeration loops in series This design can accommodate two compressor trains to feed gas into one refrigeration train adding to the system's flexibility and reliability Since inception of the baseload industry with the Camel plant (Algeria) in 1964 the size of individual trains has steadily increased from 60 MMcfd (0.4 million mty) to 300 MMcfd (2 million mty) in the 1980s and 450 MMcfd (3 million mty) or even higher in the new projects built in the 1990s 36 receiving terminals were operating in eight countries: 22 in Japan Several companies plan or are conducting expansions Both the largest and the smallest are in Japan the largest by far being the Sodegaura terminal built by Tokyo Gas and Tokyo Electric in 1974 which has 35 storage tanks with a capacity of 2.7 million cu m of LNG The smallest is the new terminal at Kagoshima with one 35,000-cu m storage tank with storage capacity of 85,000 cu m or less the entry of smaller Japanese gas utilities into the LNG business The big three Japanese utilities-Tokyo Gas Co Ltd.- account for more than 75% of the country's gas sales The remaining 25% is supplied by some 240 small companies not linked by a major transmission grid the so-called medium-sized companies (Hiroshima Gas and Hokkaido Gas) began converting from manufactured to natural gas and have built their own terminals to receive Four terminals were under construction at year-end 1998: two in Japan (Ohgishima and Chita Midorihama) up from 97 a year earlier: 14 in the 18-50,000 cu m class; 14 in the 50-100,000 cu m class; and 75 in the class of tankers with 120,000 cu m or greater capacities If projections for doubling of the world LNG trade by 2010 hold This scenario calls into question whether sufficient vessels can be ready given the necessary long lead times required for vessels and shore infrastructure (More recent newbuilding prospects are discussed presently.) The IGT report also notes that only 13 shipyards in the world could build LNG tankers; 9 in Asia (Japan and Korea); the other 4 in Europe Vessel size could reach 200,000 cu m with current techniques although there is a trend toward smaller vessels: Earlier this decade built a small receiving terminal at Fukuoka to receive up to 360,000 mty from Malaysia and ordered the 18,000-cu m Aman Bintulu for delivery with life expectancy extended to 40 years or longer from the initial 25 years the number of available vessels is limited and will remain so becoming even tighter when Trinidad and Nigerian projects start up the 23rd installment from Sittgo that surveys LNG shipping volumes Shipments consisted of 1,918 voyages of the world's LNG fleet Leading in number of shipments (379) was the loading terminal at Bethioua (Algeria) Bontang and Bintulu in early tied at approximately 33.1 million cu m each; Bethioua was not too far behind Blang Lancang was fourth with more than 24.6 million cu m Eight active European terminals received nearly 23% of the total LNG delivered in the world in 1997 20 terminals (18 in Japan and 1 each in Korea and Taiwan) received more than 75% LNG Log 23 reports nine new vessels entered the international LNG trade in 1997 among them were the first four spherical-tank Kvaerner ships to serve the Qatargas routes from Ras Laffan-Al Khor The Das Island-based fleet of National Gas Shipping Co grew by two vessels: Commissioned were the 137,000-cu m Al Hamra and Umm Al Ashtan both spherical-tank-equipped vessels from Kvaerner Masa SNAM took delivery of the first of two 65,000-cu m vessels with Technigaz cargo tanks the vessel was rechristened LNG Portovenere The last of five 130,000-cu m gas transport vessels for Malaysia's Petronas Marine Sendirian Berhad by Asia LNG Transport Sendirian Berhad for service between Bintulu and Sendai It is equipped with three Technigaz membrane tanks world LNG trade also moved over seven new routes three of which resulted from the commissioning of the new Qatargas liquefaction plant at Ras Laffan new routes extended to Barcelona and the Japanese terminals at Chita (Chubu Electric) and Kawagoe A new receiving terminal opened in 1997 at Shin Minato to serve the City of Sendai's municipal gas utility from Bintulu And a new route to Japan connected Lumut (Brunei) with Higashi-Ohgishima in Tokyo Bay The other new routes were to the U.S.: LNG loaded at Whitnell Bay Although noting that 1997 was another record year for LNG carriers the Sittgo study says that of "immediate concern is the fiscal malaise which has struck at many parts of the Far East." says the report from a perspective of mid-1998 may be seen in the "apparent cancellation of some cargoes and some concern over the financing of a number of existing and proposed construction contract for LNG carriers." The study points out that the continued economic weakness and uncertainties in Asia have made for a conundrum: Currency fluctuations create some apparently remarkable bargains in shipbuilding in the Far East while the same uncertainties upset some trade patterns by casting doubt over LNG-demand forecasts as well as the financing of several construction projects several new vessels are likely to see service in 1999 and 2000: Two additional Qatar ships were due for delivery in 1998 along with the LNG Lerici and the Aman Niri shipments are to commence between Algeria and the Revithoussa terminal in Greece and Port Fortin The world's LNG fleet, says the review, has seen steady growth in the 1990s with an increase of 31 vessels of 4.2 million cu m January 1990 to January 1998 (Fig. 2 [81,359 bytes]). This trend will likely continue through next year when 22 vessels of 2.8 million cu m are to come into service by the end of 2000. It is unlikely that any vessels will be scrapped, says Clarkson's review. The two ships delivered earlier in 1998 were the LNG Lerici, a 65,000-cu m unit for Agip, and the 135,000-cu m Broog for the Qatar Gas consortium. The newbuilding orderbook in the second half 1998 stood at 22 vessels of slightly less than 2.8 million cu m. In capacity terms, this represented 24% of the existing fleet. Further analysis by Clarkson revealed that three vessels of 289,158 cu m were expected by year-end, while 1999 has nine vessels of 1,226,554 cu m scheduled for delivery. The year 2000 promises to be the most popular year, with 10 ships totaling 1,239,100 cu m due to be completed. Of the 22 vessels on order, 13 are earmarked for the Korea Gas project, but reports late last year continued to circulate that cast doubt on some of these contracts, says Clarkson's review. The Asian economic turmoil caused some observers to question whether all 13 vessels will be built. The Asian economic crisis has taken its toll on contracting, as well, says the review. No vessels were on order for 2001 or beyond. No new orders had been placed by second half 1998, and only two in the last quarter of 1997. The economic slowdown in Asia has killed any increase in LNG demand, says the review, resulting in pending projects being put on hold. Malaysian state oil company Petronas had reportedly been talking to shipyards in Japan and Europe concerning a requirement for up to six LNG carriers. But such an order seemed unlikely, at least in the short term. The building of LNG carriers is almost exclusively nonspeculative, says the review, which finds it difficult to see from where any new demand is likely to come. Although discussions regarding Indian imports had been continuing, it was anticipated that the requirement would be small in comparison to recent projects. With this scenario, some shipyards that have until now relied heavily on LNG building to fill up berth space will have to look elsewhere. Consistent with Clarkson's review earlier in 1998, LNG scrapping in the last half of the year was virtually nonexistent. With the majority of vessels in the 25-30 year age group fully committed for 12 years at least, there was little prospect of demolition sales in the immediate future. In the fleet of LNG vessels, 42 ships of 3,535,891 cu m are 20 years or older, 17 vessels totaling 796,223 cu m are 25 years or older, and 2 of 52,900 cu m are 30 years or older. Copyright 1999 Oil & Gas Journal. All Rights Reserved. the UNWTO has scoured the globe for the most outstanding rural tourism destinations each with its own strong cultural and natural value The list is also an incredible resource for travelers who prefer immersive trips and pastoral destinations with an under-the-radar vibe each village must meet nine strict criteria including environmental and social sustainability and the prioritization of tourism “This initiative acknowledges villages that have harnessed tourism as a catalyst for their development and well-being,” Zurab Pololikashvili secretary general of UNWTO said in a statement 54 new villages across five continents were added to the ongoing list All of the locales that made the cut are charming and historic destinations with breathtaking natural wonders like mountains Here’s a closer look at 11 new additions that caught our eye Lerici also hosts several literary festivals every year Or take it easy with a relaxing bike tour through the village and a traditional dinner in a local resident’s home head into the town’s historic center to admire its cobblestone streets and traditional buildings painted in iconic whites and blues Don't miss the chance to dine on seafood dishes like sea urchin there’s no shortage of natural majesty to soak up in Siwa The oasis itself has several bodies of water—the most famous of which are its photogenic salt lakes—which seem to spring up from the desert as if by magic Visitors can take a dip in the bright turquoise waters lapping against the rugged border of white salt deposits or visit the ancient Egyptian ruins nearby including the Mountain of the Dead and the Temple of the Oracle of Amun HungaryThis idyllic village in the foothills of Hungary’s Zemplén mountains is famous for its golden-colored wine production an ancient tradition that spans more than a thousand years Exploring the area reveals a patchwork of small vineyards and wineries plus the historic rows of wine cellars with their quaint stone doors built directly into the hillsides Miles of untouched nature surround this cozy village of just 2,400 inhabitants which is known for its blend of tradition and modernity visitors come for the top-notch alpine skiing but summer is also an ideal time to visit for hiking or mountain biking through the verdant hills with most of its structures built near the water and connected by almost 10 miles of boardwalks Local families welcome tourists and offer immersive experiences like traditional beekeeping and rowboat tours of the cloudy blue river which is surrounded by undulating green mountains with historic villas built right on the lakeshore and a charming town center featuring Renaissance architecture Duck into one of the town’s waterfront restaurants for a mix of Italian and Swiss cuisine with a side of stunning views Biei is still “a well-kept secret,” according to UNWTO Tourists can bike through the area’s serene hills or walk trails to the various flower parks where rows of multicolored blooms blanket the land Don’t miss the Shirogane Blue Pond: its high mineral content tints it a vibrant cobalt that makes an enchanting contrast with the surrounding evergreen trees up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse We understand that time is the greatest luxury which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world Italy’s ENI is trying to sell off its two remaining LNG carriers but to date the company’s price expectations on the ships has not resulted in a sale. Shipowners said the oil and gas company has been hawking the 65,000-cbm LNG Lerici (built 1998) and LNG Portovenere (built 1997) around the market for some time. ENI is understood to be seeking around $40m for each of the specialist-sized vessels. Regala o regalati un abbonamento al Giornale della Vela cartaceo + digitale e a soli 69 euro l’anno hai la rivista a casa e in più la leggi su PC Vi sveliamo tutti i risultati: ma prima i nostri complimenti vanno a Federico Serafini e Leonardo Mencacci: i due giovani velisti un piccolo 29er (deriva di 4,45 x 1,77 metri) dopo una prestazione strepitosa: hanno chiuso in dodicesima posizione in reale mettendosi dietro barche lunghe quattro volte il loro scafo VINCITORE OVERALL CROCIERA: Trilogy (Latini 52) VINCITORE OVERALL REGATA: Mistera (Farr 66) Premio Speciale Barche d’Epoca (ante 1969): Melisande (Cutter) Eduardo Szego Premio Speciale Barche Classiche (ante 1988): Gigiat (Grand Soleil 39) Premio Speciale Gentleman Yachting: Bruscolo (Vismara 38) Premio Speciale Ultimo Classificato: Onda Marina (Bavaria 38 H) Il tuo indirizzo email non sarà pubblicato Iscriviti ora alla nostra newsletter gratuita e ricevi ogni settimana le migliori news selezionate dalla redazione del Giornale della Vela E in più ti regaliamo un mese di GdV in digitale su PC accetta la Privacy Policy e clicca sul bottone “iscrivimi” Riceverai un codice per attivare gratuitamente il tuo mese di GdV Dopo avervi raccontato la VELA Cup Liguria/Chiavari che ha visto ben 70 barche al via nel Golfo del Tigullio (qui trovate la news con cronaca e classifiche finale) e avervi fatto vedere tutte le foto più belle della prima tappa Manca un mese al weekend del ponte del 2 giugno quello che inizia da venerdi 30 maggio e che sarà una vera festa anche della vela perché nello stesso fine settimana di tarda primavera Mancano tre giorni alla prima tappa della VELA Cup del 2025: l’inizio si preannuncia con il botto Tutto è pronto al Marina di Chiavari Calata Ovest per la VELA Cup Liguria (regata: Mancano 60 giorni al weekend dal 27 al 29 giugno ed è quasi tutto pronto per la prima VELA Cup dell’estate e la quarta del circuito del 2025 PER COMUNICARE CON LA REDAZIONE02 535 811111 – speciali@panamaeditore.it PER LA PUBBLICITÀSenior account:Guido De Palma:tel Cookie policy Privacy policy 02 535811 111/200abbonamenti@panamaeditore.it La veleggiata è organizzata da noi del Giornale della Vela insieme allo storico Circolo Erix al socio Roberto Bagnoli con l’aiuto del “guru” delle regate del Golfo che ha creduto subito alla nostra iniziativa Ce lo raccontano Carlo e Roberto: “Il Golfo dei Poeti è una location leggendaria dove in un grande bacino che potrebbe ospitare l’intero centro di Milano Nel Golfo in settembre ci sono effetti meteorologici molto favorevoli: spesso la tramontana permane per tutta la mattina e nel pomeriggio si manifesta il maestrale con intensità crescente.” – spiega Stefanini – “Si può dire che il campo di regata settembrino potrebbe garantire condizioni di vento molto divertenti e in assoluta sicurezza navigando tra le isole del Tino e della Palmaria” Sarà un privilegio navigare da un lato e l’altro del golfo sino a lambire le due magnifiche isole di Palmaria e del Tino noi e gli amici dell’Erix abbiamo studiato varie opzioni Ma anche a terra questa tappa della TAG Heuer Vela Cup sarà mitica Il comune ci ha concesso l’uso della piazza principale di Lerici Qui sarà la base dove allestiremo un villaggio con stand di operatori zone eventi e dove ci sarà il punto di riferimento per tutti i partecipanti Qui si svolgerà l’incontro prima della premiazione di sabato sera che vi dirà qualcosa di più sullo stato del nostro mar Mediterraneo e sui comportamenti da tenere per contribuire alla sua salvezza in piazza partirà la notte della TAG Heuer Vela Cup anche questa leggendaria: la festa con premiazione Abbiamo già opzionato premi per quasi tutti ci vediamo a Lerici da venerdì 13 a domenica 15 settembre 19 ottobre, TAG Heuer Vela Cup/ Marina di Loano (Liguria) Il percorso costiero arriva a doppiare la vicina isola della Gallinara Il Marina di Loano offre ormeggio gratuito e una festa memorabile a fine regata/veleggiata – Iscriviti ora alla VELA Cup – Il programma e i premi della VELA Cup. Scoprili nel dettaglio – Cerchi o offri un imbarco? Mettilo nella bacheca online – Tutte le barche possono partecipare. Scopri come – Scrivici per avere ulteriori delucidazioni condizioni da “vela-champagne” (prima poco vento gran finale con “sciroccone” che solo il Golfo del Tigullio sa regalare) Il panorama relativo le Classic Boat –ovvero le barche di serie ultraventiquenni e varate a partire dal 1967– è un contesto vasto e in continua via d’espansione composto da scafi di ogni foggia e dimensione e originally from Aulla in the picturesque Lunigiana discovered his culinary vocation as a teenager at the age of 14 and enrolled in the hotel school in Lerici His passion for gastronomy was inspired by his great-grandparents Together they began a life and culinary journey Gianni opened the restaurant "Il Rigoletto" in Aulla which quickly became the best in the province of Massa Carrara a true laboratory of learning and culinary experimentation Gianni and Fulvia decided to move "Il Rigoletto" to Reggiolo Gianni deepened his knowledge of local specialties bringing with him the experience and creativity he had acquired This new venture was soon rewarded: in 2002 "Il Rigoletto" received its first MICHELIN Star Other accolades include the "Sole" by Gino Veronelli in 2004 the Pastry of the Year Award from the Espresso Guide in 2005 entry into Relais & Chateaux (Grand Chef) and the nomination among the “Magnifici del Presidente” by the Italian Academy of Cuisine in 2007 the 2012 earthquake forced the closure of "Il Rigoletto" D'Amato did not give up and launched "Rigoletto Itinerante" taking his recipes beyond the restaurant's borders with the help of colleagues and Relais & Chateaux Gianni also participated in international gastronomic events he opened "Caffè Arti e Mestieri" in Reggio Emilia Gianni leads the restaurant "Gianni d’Amato" in Tellaro where he continues to demonstrate his passion and dedication to cuisine spreading the love for culinary tradition in the re-opened historical restaurant “Locanda Miranda” Do you want to discover the latest news and recipes of the most renowned chefs and restaurants in the world La nostra società utilizza inoltre cookie funzionali per registrare informazioni sulle scelte dell’utente e per consentire una personalizzazione del Sito; ad esempio Questi cookie possono essere installati dalla nostra società o da Terze parti In caso di disabilitazione di questi cookie la qualità e l’esperienza di navigazione potrebbe non essere soddisfacente Questi cookie sono installati da social media per consentire la condivisione dei contenuti del presente Sito Essi sono in grado di monitorare la navigazione compiuta anche in altri siti e creano un profilo dell’utente sulla base dei suoi interessi Ciò potrebbe avere un impatto sul contenuto e messaggi visualizzati sugli altri siti visitati non sarà possibile utilizzare o visualizzare questi strumenti di condivisione per l’installazione e l’uso di tali cookie occorre il consenso dell’utente Per maggiori informazioni consulta la pagna cookies policy L’estate agli sgoccioli non ha tradito le aspettative dei velisti che sono stati accolti nel golfo dei Poeti da temperature decisamente calde prossime ai 30 gradi Il vento è stato un po’ meno presente ma alla fine una brezza leggera si è stesa per il golfo consentendo agli equipaggi di completare agevolmente il percorso ma anche tanto fair play e amicizia tra gli equipaggi sono stati gli ingredienti di una tappa alla quale non è veramente mancato nulla La vittoria overall è andata al Brenta 44 Stella Filante di Giorgio Vanelo mentre quella in tempo reale all’ammiraglia della flotta il Mylius 80 Twin Solul B di Luciano Gandini Quella di Lerici è stata una tappa particolarmente attenta anche alle misure anti Covid: iscrizioni solo online così come il briefing ritiro delle badge per gli equipaggi solo su appuntamento Abbiamo fatto tutto questo perché crediamo nell’importanza della sicurezza e perché siamo convinti che anche mantenendo le distanze degli equipaggi Se poi la regata è nel posto giusto come Lerici con la sua solita formula aperta a tutte le barche e a tutti i velisti continuerà a offrire il suo spirito di vela condivisa continueremo a farlo facendo tutto ciò che sarà necessario per la sicurezza dei velisti che partecipano VINCITORE OVERALL: Brenta 44 Stella Filante di Giorgio Vanelo www.velacup.it Sostienici anche su Barche a Motore e Top Yacht Design Per rimanere aggiornato su tutte le news dal mondo della vela iscriviti alla newsletter del Giornale della Vela accettare la Privacy Policy e cliccare sul bottone “Iscrivimi” E’ gratis e ti puoi disiscrivere in qualsiasi momento Italy — Paolo Rosi sold his home to pay for a small patch of beach on Italy’s Tuscan coast expanding the concessions business his family has run since 1920 He planned to pass it down to his two children who have spent their summers there teaching swimming lessons and serving drinks But Brussels has poured cold water on his dreams Italy has yet to comply with a 2006 European law designed to open the internal market to competition by requiring periodic international bidding for most services including the beach concessions dotting the Tuscan shore After years of wrangling between Rome and Brussels the two sides expect to reach a compromise by next summer — and Rosi probably won’t like it there’s suddenly such uncertainty?” he asked The European Union’s internal market law pits some 30,000 small Italian beach businesses against a European Commission intent on creating a borderless Many locals fear large multinational companies will sweep in and sweep out family legacies more emotional concern that foreigners will override a quintessentially Italian industry Rosi sat on a foldout chair under a green and white parasol as long-time beach goers stopped to shake his hand He kept his eye on their flip-flops as they leapt over the last bits of burning sand to get to the sea and watched his daughter teaching a little boy to swim Paolo Rosi sits back on his Bagno Giuliana beach in Tuscany Rosi took over his family’s Bagno Giuliana beach business in 1986, after retiring as a professional soccer player He sold his house to buy the neighboring concession when it went up for sale in 2000 That was the year Bolkestein proposed his controversial law When Alberto Mattugini heard about the Bolkestein Directive was “when the world came crumbling down,” said the owner of the nearby Bagno Angelo in Forte dei Marmi “The Italian beach industry is at a standstill Mattugini’s beach concession has been in his family for at least five generations from the time when Italy assigned swaths of sand to World War I veterans to start fishing businesses He would like to expand for the off-season between October and Easter and has a permit to put in a pool by the beach entrance he’s had to put those blueprints on a shelf “It’s like we have a Ferrari with the motor of a Fiat 500 Banks won’t lend us money if they don’t know how long we’ll be here,” he said nicknamed the Bolkestein Directive after former Commissioner Frits Bolkestein Italy’s private beaches were ruled by a series of laws that ensured the concessions could be renewed every one for as long as the owner wanted to keep it this amounted to preferential treatment for incumbents The point of the Bolkestein Directive is to open the services industry up to new entrants encouraging cross-border competition to the benefit of customers [googlemaps https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m16!1m12!1m3!1d105556.97417821547!2d10.23289244333407!3d43.966681202519396!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!2m1!1sbagno+angelo+forte+dei+marmi!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sbe!4v1439300524666&w=700&h=450] The Commission accused Italy of infringement in 2008 The Italian government first responded by setting an expiry date on all concessions in December 2015 but then pushed it back to 2020 under intense pressure from trade associations Talks between the two sides are now on hold until the European Court of Justice weighs in at the request of judges from two regional Italian courts They expect to reach an agreement after that according to an Italian government source familiar with the matter Alice Andreoni is one of the beach goers who thinks the EU has a point She grew up in Lerici and now lives in Spain opting instead to join the crowds on the rocks along the Ligurian coast’s Gulf of Poets “I think about this all the time when I’m back here because when I come I just can’t go to the beach with all these closed beaches and high prices in the restaurants,” she said There is a legal loophole in Italy that allows people to pass through a private beach without paying as long as they go straight across the shoreline and into the sea But if they drop a towel or flip flops on the sand [googlemaps https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d4779.846280294876!2d9.916057394024596!3d44.06589619563914!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x12d502404f7faf91%3A0x7bd740f8a2d20a12!2sEco+Del+Mare!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sbe!4v1439303018880&w=700&h=450] This leaves an area of more than 10,000 residents “Here in Lerici we do have the problem of a closed market,” said Mayor Leonardo Paoletti “We have a limited number of beaches and the way they are managed needs to be revised It’s something we intend to do at the end of the summer season.” the Bolkestein Directive says little about how they would be compensated if the contracts are put up for bid and lose “Italy has accepted the point that tenders must be issued but the question is how to get there in a fair way with just compensation and that will be decided after the court’s decision,” the government source said The concession lifespan is likely to be set at 20 years A Commission spokesperson declined to comment because of the ongoing discussions won’t save an Italian tradition of favoring the independent and family-owned “My fear is that only the big will survive and the small will die out in this situation when actually Italy’s economy in particular is built on millions of small family businesses,” said Marco Buticchi He negotiated a 20-year concession with the town back in 2004 in exchange for building a hotel next to it He expects to pay off his mortgage by the time it runs out “If this problem had come up before I built the hotel compensation would at least encourage concession owners to invest in their beaches and ensure that they have money to re-invest if they are ever outbid “We have to think about the national economy,” he explained “There’s a value to the restaurants or cabins that a concessioner has built It’s still early in the day and only a few of the royal blue and white lounge chairs and matching canopies are taken at Mattugini’s Bagno Angelo The others are still lined up in precise rows showing the name Angelo embroidered across the edge Angelo was the name of his great-grandfather I guess I’d try to invent something else for myself,” Mattugini said “But I’d be really disappointed to lose all this history Stroud has long served as a launch pad for fringe ideas that later caught on while the EU prepares for bitter infighting Greek Cypriots vote for leader who guided country into economic recovery In a picturesque position on the Gulf of La Spezia the old limestone field has now been equipped with a brand new synthetic turf completely recyclable and a powerful lighting system with LED lights These are the objectives of the project for the renovation of the old limestone sand field: to provide a high level of quality to the game of football ensuring a perfectly smooth playing field and free of unexpected irregularities increase usability as the field can support a high load of play approval by the National Amateur League so as to host the competitions of the Championship of Excellence Privacy policy Flower Riviera Palms Riviera Genoa and surroundings Portofino and the Tigullio The Cinque Terre Gulf of Poets Here are some Ligurian places that tell stories in which women are the protagonists There are many TV series filmed in Liguria that have a woman as the protagonist the historic girlfriend of Commissioner Montalbano she captured the readers of the literary saga first and then those of the television series other women have been the protagonists of equally successful TV dramas that have revealed the city and Liguria played by Paola Cortellesi: many aerial shots of Genoa the Zecca-Righi funicular Petra takes from home to the police station and back with their labyrinths and mysteries: in the four episodes of the second season many of the cases to be solved are set among the dark caruggi of the old city with the sets for the new shots of the successful series that have involved Camogli and especially Genoa The music of Fabrizio De André will inevitably lead you through the alleys and then to Piazza Don Gallo Princesa was actually named Fernando Farias de Alburquenque and was born in a small village in Brazil he was delicate and understood that he was not like the other children so he endured all kinds of ridicule from his peers He found his true nature by fleeing to Fortaleza and then to São Paulo in the vast community of transvestites who prostituted themselves to survive poverty Hormonal treatments and plastic surgery made him increasingly similar to how he felt inside so striking and beautiful that others started calling her “Fernanda Princesa“ saved her from the violence of the underworld but created problems with the law and she ended up in prison for attempted murder of her landlady who had lost all her money she arrived in Genoa as a guest of Don Andrea Gallo and there she met Fabrizio De André who wrote the song that bears her name there is a plaque dedicated to her in Piazza Don Gallo home to Princesa association for transgender rights which fights against transphobia and homophobia She left at the age of 7 from Rossi di Lumarzo as Natalina Garaventa born in the village of Fontanabuona on Saint Stephen’s Day in 1897 was much more: she became very influential when in the USA she decided to engage politically alongside Ligurian immigrants in the Democratic Party of New Jersey She used her knowledge of Italian dialects and her fluent English to translate for immigrants during legal proceedings especially those related to citizenship applications she married firefighter Antonino Martin Sinatra a former Sicilian boxer from Lercara Friddi: it was not an easy marriage and the two married in great secrecy on Valentine’s Day at the town hall she chained herself to the town hall in support of the women’s suffrage movement and was always a point of reference for many Italians seeking redemption she never gave up on remembering her Ligurian origins destined to become “The Voice,” adored her and often trusted only his mother’s advice and every year there is an event dedicated to Sinatra’s Ligurian origins with singers and musicians performing the songs that made him immortal “A great white cliff in the middle of the sea… flat A cliff detached from the mountain (the Apuan Alps) during the early cracks of the continent when the sea poured over it.” This is how Marguerite Duras describes the magical place of her life in the text of the theatrical work “Savannah Bay”: Bocca di Magra and here she set her novel “The Sailor from Gibraltar” and in Bocca di Magra she is remembered in the 1950s by Inge Feltrinelli: “Marguerite spent every summer in Bocca di Magra Italy was Vittorini and Bocca di Magra was her paradise.” “The cliff really exists,” Duras replied to a journalist where the Magra River meets the sea.” Most likely the actual place is the cliff that encloses the Punta Corvo beach which is a place of rare beauty; to reach it you have to descend a steep path and hundreds of natural steps overlooking the sea Even in the novel “The Little Horses of Tarquinia” from 1953 she recounts holidays spent in Bocca di Magra The Passeggiata Anita Garibaldi in Genoa Nervi is where Genoese women go when they want to start or end their day well The sunrises from this elegant promenade are thrilling Walk along it until you find the plaque dedicated to her and the one for the Russian poet Marina Tsvetaeva a brilliant and unfortunate Russian poet who stayed here as a child has become a real seaside promenade named after one of Liguria’s and Italy’s most important women known as the “heroine of two worlds.” The two met in Brazil during a popular uprising and from then on she followed him and participated in all his enterprises fighting with him until the tragic experience of the Roman Republic during the retreat near Comacchio on August 4 “The place was too beautiful and didn’t seem of this earth: the distance from any form of civilization its incessant murmuring… Everything invited the mind to contemplate strange thoughts A sort of enchantment surrounded us.” With these words daughter of the libertarian philosopher William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft one of the first to proclaim women’s rights arrived in San Terenzo in the summer of 1822 with her husband an elegant villa still on the Lungomare of San Terenzo a precursor to science fiction gothic novels although their presence did not escape the locals who were scandalized by their audacious habits nor could she escape for long from the anger of her family of origin: Percy B the stay ended tragically with Percy’s shipwreck and death on July 8 just steps away from the Casino and the Russian Church: the Empress’s Promenade is among the must-visit places when exploring the City of Flowers It’s because of the Empress of Russia that Sanremo and the Ligurian Riviera owe much of their beauty and image she donated a large sum of money to adorn the city with palm trees that characterise it today her bust still enjoys the sun among the palm trees along the promenade just as she and many of her countrymen did in the late 1800s like the great writer Lev Tolstoy or the musician Tchaikovsky along with the large Orthodox community that fell in love with the Riviera during those years there is another statue that certainly couldn’t be missing in Sanremo: the Spring as indeed is Marchesa Clelia Durazzo Grimaldi recognised by the international scientific community which at the time was composed entirely of men She left the beautiful Botanical Garden to the city of Genoa nestled within the fantastic park of Villa Durazzo she compiled a collection of 550 scientific works of which only the manuscript catalog remains at the Berio Library in Genoa with the herbarium now preserved at the Natural History Museum of Genoa which was long one of the most interesting in Europe was established in 1794 at the marchesa’s own initiative considered one of the foremost botanists in Europe at the time both the villa and the garden were inherited by her nephew who was responsible for constructing the spectacular romantic park covers 4,500 square meters of exhibition space and cultivates around 1,500 species one dedicated to Palms and useful tropical plants (cacao capable of hosting a wide variety of succulents alongside the botanical garden dedicated to her anyone wishing to immerse themselves in beauty can visit the scenic park of Pegli beautiful in every season but fantastic in spring when among the blooms is the exceptional Camellia Avenue The most beautiful woman in the world was born in Genoa or Portovenere but she certainly got married for the first and only time in the capital under the arches of the church of San Torpete could not have imagined what her destiny would be: a short life that faded away at the age of only 23; but immortality through art Because that woman was Simonetta Vespucci (born Cattaneo) who was considered the most beautiful woman of the Renaissance; she enchanted Sandro Botticelli who wanted her as a model for his famous paintings “Primavera” and “The Birth of Venus“ a painting that according to some experts and art historians has the Gulf of Poets as its background where she moved with her husband Marco Vespucci a distant cousin of the navigator Amerigo Vespucci she captivated many men and probably became the lover of Giuliano de Medici Lorenzo the Magnificent dedicated a poem to her while Sandro Botticelli asked to be buried at her feet a noble church in the heart of the historic center it is remembered that Simonetta married in the presence of the Doge of Genoa and all the city’s aristocracy it is often the case that couples who wish to marry choose to do so here where the most beautiful woman in the world tied the knot There are places significant to women’s history even though they represent an abuse of power suffered by the female figure due to the famous but tragic witch trials that took place between 1587 and 1589 A village of ancient traditions and ancestral knowledge Triora was struck in the late 1500s by a terrible famine The victims were often healers or experts in folk medicine accused of performing satanic rituals and demonic Sabbaths in the area of Cabotina The intervention of the Inquisition was requested and a real witch hunt began in the village leading to the arrest of about twenty women Thirteen confessed and were imprisoned in the “Casa delle streghe” (House of Witches) but their confessions were extracted under torture sixty-year-old Isotta Stella from a noble family With the arrival of the inquisitors from Genoa four women were sentenced to death by burning while thirteen were transferred to Genoa and imprisoned and the Doge of Genoa requested the Holy Office to conclude it the matter ended with no resolution and the release of the imprisoned women It is said that perfect love is that which is from afar The last (and eleventh) place tells the story of a love in the alleyways of Genoa nestled in the alleyways just past the Old Port and the Aquarium where you’ll also find Piazza dell’Amor Perfetto a young member of the Genoese nobility who passing through Genoa during one of his numerous “Italian wars,” were fatal to Tommasina’s heart already married to Luca Battista Spinola: she fell desperately in love with the king today one would say “virtual.” Tommasina forever surrendered her heart to Louis XII so much so that when the “fake news” arrived in Genoa that the king had died in the battle of Cerignola decided to see the house where Tommasina had breathed her last is called “Piazza dell’Amor Perfetto” (Square of Perfect Love) Stai già fantasticando su un viaggio in Liguria?Trasforma la tua fantasia in realtà e pianifica la tua prossima vacanza Are you already fantasising about a trip to Liguria?Turn your dream into reality and plan your next holiday Are you already fantasising about a trip to Liguria Turn your dream into reality and plan your next holiday Stai già fantasticando su un viaggio in Liguria Trasforma la tua fantasia in realtà e pianifica la tua prossima vacanza Dichiarazione di accessibilità Accessibility statement Amministrazione trasparente fino al 28.02.2025 Transparent administration until 28.02.2025 Amministrazione trasparente dal 01.03.2025 Transparent administration from 01.03.2025 PagoPA