La Spezia

La Spezia is a working port on Italy's Ligurian coast, and it's the main jumping-off point for the Cinque Terre, five colourful fishing villages strung along the coastline. Trains from La Spezia Centrale run to all five villages every 15-20 minutes, and a day pass covers unlimited travel between them. The Cinque Terre pass also includes access to the hiking trails between the villages. If you stay in La Spezia, the Passeggiata Morin promenade runs along the waterfront, and the old centre has a daily market, pedestrian shopping streets, and the San Giorgio Castle overlooking the town. Lerici and Portovenere, two smaller coastal towns in the Gulf of Poets, are also reachable by boat or bus and less crowded than the Cinque Terre. Fresh pesto, focaccia, and seafood are the local staples. Free shuttle buses connect the cruise terminal to the city centre.