La Spezia

La Spezia, often dismissed as only a logistical gateway to Cinque Terre, reveals a Riviera that is lived-in and unexpectedly beautiful. The palm-lined promenade edges citrus groves and renovated Liberty palazzos, while color-saturated balconies line the lanes that lead you from the ship into a city that still feels authentic. From Monday through Saturday mornings, the Piazza Cavour market invites you to sample fresh fish, local cheeses, and produce, and on Fridays Via Garibaldi hosts a busy flea market that gives you a taste of daily life here. Signature experiences center on its proximity to Liguria’s famed coast: exclusive shore excursions to Cinque Terre and Portovenere with curated timings, private boat rides along the Gulf of La Spezia, and hillside hikes among olive groves with lunch in a seaside village. Porto Mirabello, the newer tourist port, is a micro-destination in itself with a pool club, shops, and waterfront restaurants overlooking a flotilla of super-yachts, contrasting with the working port and fishing fleets. The port's fleet features modern docking and efficient turnarounds that accommodate large ships, while onboard services for guests reflect Ligurian hospitality—chef-led tastings of pesto and seafood, wine flights from nearby vineyards, and ship-sponsored shore programs that connect travelers to culture, cuisine, and sea views, all packaged in a Riviera that feels less tourist-trodden and more intimately Ligurian.