Make a self catering Villa in Lerici, Italy your home away from home
Lerici is on the north west coast of Italy, midway between Pisa and Genova. It was once an important port for travellers and pilgrims journeying to Rome. Its medieval history still shows through in the narrow twisting streets leading up to the 13th century Castle. Typical food of this region comes from the land and includes mushrooms, chestnuts and herbs to accompany the local meat, which is mainly lamb. Lerici is a charming area for a self catering holiday with a wealth of bathing rivers, villages and ancient castles to explore in the region.
Things to do in Lerici, Italy
Explore the ancient streets of Lerici on foot and you will be rewarded with many hidden surprises. The Jewish Ghetto still remains in the city. The imposing Lerici Castle was built by Pisani in the 1200s and later extended with a Chapel dedicated to St. Anastasia. Look for the Roman Tower of San Rocco, which later became a bell tower. The nearby Palazzo Doria was once an old hospital dedicated to St Peter and St Paul. Walk along the seafront and relax in the sunshine beneath the defensive castle walls.
Enjoy at least one traditional local meal such as the Porcini ‘boletus’ mushrooms which are served stuffed with tasty morsels and cooked into tender. Often restaurants do not offer a menu, but cook what is locally available at that time. It is relatively inexpensive to dine well in this region.
The area around Lerici is known for its castles, many of which are privately owned and lived in as homes, such as the Castle of Bastia and Castle Pontebosio. The Castle of Monti is the summer home of the Marquis Malaspina and is only opened for groups with prior reservations. The plain fronted Casteldelpiano is used as a restaurant and farm. Castles do make good photographs and are interesting to spot as you explore the area.
Places to visit near Lerici, Italy
The castle at Pontremoli is a fine focal point for a day trip from your self catering villa in Lerici. The Piazzo Duomo is the site of the cathedral which has many valuable paintings and sculptures. The Piazza della Republicca has some fine architectural treasures and the Castello del Piagnaro completes this interesting city.
The Piagnaro Statue Stele Museum is within the Castle at Pontremoli. Many prehistoric stone monuments have been found in this area and many more may still be buried in the ancient woodland. The statues all represent figures with daggers or symbols of power and some are thought to date back to 3000BC.
Mulazzo is the home of Bancarelvino. The Tower of Dante is also here, along with many beautiful palaces, a fine gateway into the village and the old aqueduct.
Weather in Lerici, Italy
Weather in Lerici is cooler than in the southern resorts of Italy. Average summer temperatures reach 21C (70F) but winter temperatures are below freezing for several months, and skiing is popular further north. From May to October warm temperatures and low rainfall make these good months for exploring the area.
Flights to Lerici, Italy
Your self catering villa in Lerici is 76km from the Galileo Airport in Pisa, which has 20 scheduled airlines from many European destinations. Florence International Airport is 130km from Lerici and has an even wider availability of national and international flights.
