Holiday home between Levanto and the Cinque Terre

What a wonderful place to stay in this beautiful 11th century house which has been lovingly restored to include modern amenities. We received a warm welcome from Alberto, who came to meet us at the station in Levanto so he could drive with us up to Chieso Nuova, which is about 4km outside of Levanto. The house is just beautiful. It is so peaceful. Cicadas at night, the beautiful church bells by day, and the sounds of village life. The views are wonderful, across the valley to the other villages clinging to the hillside. There are lots of spaces to sit outside - 3 terraces and a little garden - so you can always find sun or shade as you prefer. The sunset view from the roof terrace is wonderful. There also several inside seating areas. There is a plenty of room! The village is beautiful, but does not have any amenities. There is a very small exclusive 6 roomed hotel - La Sosta Di Ottone III - where you can dine, but we cooked for ourselves or ate in Levanto. Please note if you plan to cook that there is no kettle, and you need to buy everything including salt, pepper, washing up liquid. We walked to Levanto several times, but would only recommend for those who are fairly fit as it in part on a narrow track. We didn't attempt to walk back again as it would have been all up hill. There is a bus service, which runs about 4 times a day, and a few more buses to Legnaro which stop a few hundred meters short and you can walk up the hill to Chiesa Nouva. Its cheapest to buy tickets in advance at tourist info at the rail station. We had a car for which we were grateful. Our friends were happy driving around hairpin bends so that was good! We would recommend a sunset boat trip with Marco (who is on the beach near the jetty). We did go to Cinque Terre but it was very busy and commercialised which was disappointing. We also hired cycles from Jock at SurfLevanto on Via Giuseppe Garibaldi and cycled though the tunnels along the old railway line to Bonnosola and Framura. Particular pleasant on a hot day as it is cool in the tunnels. The free beach near the jetty in Levanto is excellent - sandy, sheltered, and great snorkling along the stone groyne which creates the little harbour. There are loads of places to eat, some little shops and two supermarkets. Conrad City is best, but Sisa has free parking while you shop. Parking in Levanto is expensive - 2 euros and hour. Also recommend to take mosquito repellent and some antihistamine for any bites.

We enjoyed a lovely week near Levanto in this clean and well fitted house with beautiful views of the hills and nearby villages. Graziella, her husband and son Alberto, were very kind and helpful. The location is perfect if you want to have easy access to the 5Terre and the train. Levanto is the last station at the end of the 5Terre line. Also very accessible to Portofino, La Spezia and Portovenere which are worth the visit. We enjoyed that the house is away from the tourist area of the 5Terre and so is a quiet retreat in the evenings, if you so wish. Charmed by the church bells locally and in the distance. You may need ear plugs for the early morning chimes! The only slight negative we had were the beds, a little hard or narrow for us. We walked miles in the area and climbed many steps! Certainly a place to get fit. Levanto itself, is a lovely community town with a great beach. There is a very pleasant, easy coastal walk to neighbouring Bonassola which is also pretty little town and provides good views back to Levanto. For us, this stay in Levanto was excellent, we can highly recommend it and will do so to our friends and families.