Behind the Gulf of La Spezia, in the middle of the hills and among the woods is a little gem, Val di Vara. Its name comes from the river that passes through it. It is a town that is often undervalued and not well-known.
There are many people who are unaware of the closeness of the Cinque Terre to this pristine place, immersed in the quiet beauty of nature; it is an excellent base for a holiday,because from here you can reach the Gulf of Poets and the Ligurian coast.
The first village you come across leaving La Spezia, travelling along Via Aurelia, is Riccò Del Golfo, with his churches decorated with the typical painted slate and stone gates. Around Riccò, you can see an actual green oasis made of woods and cultivated fields, pastures, rural cottages, old mills and organic orchards. The village is placed in a medieval setting, characterized by fortresses and small castles.
Moreover, the area is very famous for its high-quality agriculture and breeding farms: from Riccò you can easily reach Pignone, an old centre of pilgrimage and commerce that is famous for its excellent products: beans, onions, potatoes and sausages.
