There’s a secret to experiencing Liguria like a local: don’t just look at the sea, taste it. July is the perfect month to do exactly that, thanks to two unique events that pair the beauty of our region with an extraordinary food and wine tradition.
Start your adventure on 19 July in Vernazza, one of the most iconic villages of the Cinque Terre. This is where Vernazza in Vigna comes to life, a tasting trail through the village where you can sample the prized local white wine and the legendary Sciacchetrà. You’ll wander the narrow caruggi with a glass in hand, listening to the stories of the winemakers who tend vineyards carved out of sheer rock, in a form of cultivation rightly described as “heroic”.
From the coast to the inland hills, the journey of flavours continues from 22 to 26 July in Sarzana with the historic Sagra dello Sgabeo. The sgabeo is the undisputed king of La Spezia street food: a strip of bread dough, fried until golden and crisp, served piping hot and filled with local cured meats or creamy cheeses. It’s the very essence of traditional home cooking, simple and irresistible.
To enjoy these experiences in complete relaxation, without the nightmare of traffic or parking, where you stay makes all the difference. The Downtown Blue Apartment, in Via Milazzo 22 in La Spezia, was designed as the ideal strategic base for couples or small families, sleeping up to three guests.
We’re just a few steps from La Spezia Centrale railway station. That means you can hop on a train and be in Vernazza for the wine festival in under twenty minutes, then return in the evening from the Sagra dello Sgabeo and step off the carriage practically on our doorstep. All the essentials are right around the apartment: cafés for breakfast, supermarkets, and the traditional restaurants of the town centre.
On arrival, I’ll welcome you personally. Our guests’ safety matters to us, which is why every check-in is handled in person and in full compliance with Questura regulations, so we can greet you properly and hand over the keys to an unforgettable holiday.