Villaggio Camping Valdeiva

When all that Deiva Marina has to offer has been exhausted, it’s time to board that train (or drive) to the Cinque Terre. Cinque Terre National Park is a 45-minute drive from base and the famed towns that dot its coast (and hills) are between 50 and 70 minutes away, or 25 to 40 minutes by train. Spending time in each of the Cinque Terre towns – Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso – is a must, as is passing some hours between them. If train journeys don’t fit the bill, the Sentiero Azzurro trail ties them all together, and leisurely hikes might give more opportunity for reclining on terraces planted with vineyards and sipping on the rare Sciacchetrà, a passito wine from local grapes. Turn backs on Cinque Terre to explore the nearby cities of La Spezia (45 minutes) and Genoa (an hour). Both are port cities full of centuries of history: La Spezia has museums and castles, gardens and cathedrals, while Genoa brings palatial mansions, an aquarium and a landmark lighthouse to the table. Need something a bit more picture perfect? Head along the coast a little further (an hour and 10 minutes) to Portofino, an Italian Riviera fishing village with a stunningly scenic harbour and a history of celebrity.