All'Antica Fornace

When you stop by in Varese Ligure (five minutes' drive) for supplies, you may want to stick around to visit the castle and the colourful houses that make up this unusual circular-shaped town. A little further along (25 minutes) is the start of the Cento Croci Pass, where you can take a scenic drive up to Monte Gottero. For walks, there are some lovely trails running from Campore (10 minutes), including a climb to Monte Porcile for the keen hikers. Bit more adventure? Sign up for a rafting trip from Brugnato or swing through the trees on the adventure course at Adventure Park in Val di Vara (both 20 minutes). The countryside around here is gorgeous, but if you fancy a change of scenery, swap the rural views for seaside ones on a trip to Sestri Levante (35 minutes), which has two beachy bays and a lovely Old Town to explore. The famously colourful villages of the Cinque Terre National Park are about 45 minutes' drive away, with 120 kilometres of trail to walk along throughout the park.