A Walk from Lerici, La Serra, Fiascherino to Tellaro and return

-

 

After a nice day in Portovenere, we headed to Lerici for another wonderful day. The part at the shore including the San Giorgio Castle was in the shadow around 10 am. It was very windy. So, an excuse to have a second breakfast. We randomly went to a café at via Roma. It offers many choices of coffee and sweets. The staff was very nice.  Many guests were gathering inside for endless chats.

 

Around 11am we started a hike from Lerici to Tellaro via La Serra and Fiascherino. The starting point is left to the bakery Punto Caldo Casalini (bread sold out at evening & long queue during the day) at the Piazza Garibaldi. 

A tall and strong guy was taking his wet kayak / canoe uphill, ahead of us and disappeared soon. 


The most tiring part is the stairs and ways up and up to La Serra. The rest is easy and not steep. Clear signs are never short. The path is dotted with beautiful flowers, wonderful jasmine fragrance and breathtaking scenes over the Gulf of La Spezia / Poets. Wows over La Spezia, Portovenere, Palmaria, Tino, Tinetto and nearby villages were non-stop.



La Spezia from La Serra

In around 40 minutes, we arrived at a terrace in La Serra with beautiful views of the sea, islands. My partner named the places we were in the last two days. It recalled the fabulous time spent shortly before.

Portovenere

The two gorgeous beaches at Fiascherino (a picturesque coastal village) soon appeared in front of us. The first is Baia Di Fiascherino. Sunbathers were laying on the sand. 


The second one is Spiaggia di Fiascherio. It is more romantic. As the sunshine started to fade, sunbathers left group after group. 



We walked to the main street and further to Tellaro’s new part. 


Tellaro is an ancient and picturesque village overlooking the sea and characterized by narrow alleys leading to the sea. It is an example of a country built "homes walls," according to the defense needs of the medieval era. Remember the LaPalazzata in Portovenere?


The church of St. George (Chiesa di San Giorgio), erected on a rock next to the sea dominates the landscape and gives the charm that few others possess.  Dating back to the 16th century, the church is built of a pinkish stone typical of the region. St. George Church is linked to the legend of the octopus. One-night enemies were approaching Tellaro through the sea. A giant octopus came to the rocky outcrop, passing by all the boats docked in the harbour, extending its tentacles into the bell tower, ringing the bells and awaking the whole town, alerting them to the imminent invasion.  The village was saved.  The "Festival of the Octopus" is celebrated every year.

Though big dark clouds gathered, it was a pleasure walking along the coast and the narrow alleys.  We slowly went back to the street leading to Lerici. In less than one hour, Lerici was in sight. The panorama views stopped the breath. White boats dotted the sea. St. George Castle stood mightily and proudly in the corner. If enemies came, they would be spot shortly, defense and fightback ready. 


 

Our visit to Lerici was on Sunday. San Giorgio Castle was closing soon when we were there. We could not take a look inside. Nevertheless, we enjoyed the tremendous views from the Castle. Don’t miss it if you will visit Lerici. 



For transportation, we took a bus near the Central Railway Station in La Spezia.  The bus station is located south of the railway station and near the roundabout. Starting from April 1, bus service is scheduled every 15 minutes up to 20.00. Thereafter, the service is infrequent. To go back to La Spezia, we were told to take the bus at San Terenzo. 



Location: 19032 Lerici, SP, Italy

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Kbal Spean

-
Image
Kbal Spean is a unique archaeological site situated 50km from the Siem Reap.   Religious stone cravings sit on the river banks and bed, 150m stretch of the Stung Kbal Spean River.     Kbal Spean is commonly known as the "Valley of a 1000 Lingas " or "The River of a Thousand Lingas". Lingas are phallic representations sacred to Brahmanism.   It is a symbol of fertility.   Hundreds of them are carved into the rock of the river.   Other carvings include gods such as Vishnu , Shiva , Brahma and animals. To appreciate the beautiful carvings in the nature, one has to climb a trek for around 30 minutes.   Exhausted but worthwhile. Reclining Vishnu is often the theme of carvings.   Others include Shiva and Uma mounted on the bull, Brahma on a lotus petal and still others which I can't figure out exactly. Animals, lingas, yoni dot here and there.            Downdream is a waterfall. On the way is another spot with carving
Read more

Hong Kong Heritage Museum - The Hakkas and Fishing Origin

-
Image
15 June 2012 HK Heritage Museum - Hakka Women It has been more than 10 years that I haven't been to the Hong Kong Heritage Museum .  Today, a Picasso exhibition brought me back.  Hmm, a Spanish artist associating with the Chinese heritage.  It's a special event of the French May .  It drew a lot of people to the museum, though a bit remote.  People, family speaking different languages crowded at the venue.  Picasso 's paintings shown were across his different periods.  Many photos of him and friends were also shown. Hong Kong Heritage Museum is unique in providing the history of Hong Kong, featuring Hakka (Guest family) migration, as a fishing village, the traditional Cantonese opera as the integral parts of Hong Kong's heritage, history and culture. During the reign of Yongzheng and Qianlong of Qing Dynasty (18th century), people were encouraged to utilise wasteland for farming.  A big demographic shift of residents in the south moved to Hong Kong. Th
Read more

Marshal Zen Garden Beitou 北投少帥禪園

-
Image
Marshal Zen Garden was built during the Japanese-colonised period of the 1920's.  It was renowned for the hot spring and was used as the entertainment hub of the Japanese pilots during the end of the World War II. In the 1960's, it was used to confine Marshal Chang Xue-liang and his wife Zhao Di. We checked in in our hotel Double Inn and was driven there.  The environment is very soothing with a lot of green, flowers and typical Japanese set up. We first enjoyed our afternoon tea after travelling straight from Alishan to Chiayi to Taipei. You can visit the Zen Garden if you hold a booking of  the tour, hot spring or restaurant. It was very nice to enjoy the afternoon in its tea house  小六茶舖. It's cosy and the food was superb, good value for the money. NTD900 for two. Marshal Chang and his wife were detained at the Zen Garden for decades.  Though it was years ago, the exhibition of his room, photos and his life made me feel the loss of
Read more