Liguria: Sestri Levante

Sestri Levante is also known as the city with two seas since its hystorical centre overlooks two different bays: the one of Silence and the one of the Fairytales.

LIGURIA the closest sea for people living in the Northern regions of Italy: in 2 hours you can delight both your eyes with breathtaking landscapes overlooking the sea or your taste with fresh fish, focaccia or pesto... 

Hallmarks:

- Caròggi: very narrow and dark streets;

- Focaccia: one of the best produced in Italy; locals are used to      have it in the morning with milk and you can taste it in multiple variants;

- Pesto: sauce for pasta made of basil, oil and pine nuts;

- the succession of a plenty of little towns that overlook the sea and reflect their brightul colours in the water of the sea;

- Beaches, most of which with stoned instead of sand, but this is a warranty for clean water!!!

- Fishmongers' carts on which fresh fish is exposed for sale;

- The peaceful atmosphere of the streets that are full of tourist but that are not so chaotic as a seaside city should be in summer.

Sestri Levante is a little pearl of the coast and looks like a strip of land surrounded by the sea: Silence bay is very little and short and if you want to find enough place where to stay, it's much better to get there early in the morning so that you can also observe the dinghies that transport people from the land to spots nearby but that can be reached only by sea. This part of the town is charcaterized by these coloured houses that reflect themselves in the water of the sea where boats are moored. 

On the other side, opposite to this you can find the Bay of Fairytales where equipped beaches alternate themselves with free ones. Beach on this side is much longer and the seafront is characterized by authority buildings. 

The hystorical centre is located among the two bays and the isthmus and is characterized by soaring roofs, bell towers and the tower of Fascie Rosse Palais, that faces one of the main square. Every corner is full of flowers and bouganville, that is one of the most widespread flower of this region. 

Reach the seafront and look for Pelagica Pescaturismo, an organization that plans excursions aboard fishboats to let you experience the life of fishers and taste delicious food, freshly caught. 

For further information check www.pelagicapescaturismo.com/escursioni/

Don't leave this region without having tested:

PASTA COL PESTO


Ingredients:
Leaves of basil, 50g
Pinefruits, 15g
Parmesan Cheese or Pecorino, 100g
Salt, a pinch
Garlic, 2 pcs
ExtraVergin Oil, 100ml

Pasta, like Trofie or Bavette, 400g
Peeled potatoes

Prepare the sauce by mixing basil leaves, oil, salt, cheese, pinefruits, garlic together. It should be much better to use a mortar but, if you haven't got it, you can use an electric blender; may the sauce become darker, don't get afraid, it's something natural. In the meantime let water, where you have thrown in some pieces of potatoes, boil, salt it and cook pasta. As soon as it's ready, dress it with the sauce that you have previously tasted.

May you want to eat a delicious ice cream go to:
- Baciollo, Piazza Matteotti 55 - Sestri Levante;
May you want to buy some fresh made pasta or pesto go to:
- Pastificio Moderno, Via XXV Aprile, 58 - Sestri Levante.