For the tourist a walk through the Vara Valley from La Spezia to Varese Ligure is like stepping back into the past. In the lower part of the Vara Valley one encounters an industrial town such as Ceparana, while on the other hand Calice al Cornoviglio is a picturesque pleasant surprise with its massive castle. The higher and central parts of the Valley are one continual green oasis with countryside houses, little villages and medieval hamlets all immersed in silence crossed by the river Vara which marks the itinerary. Leaving La Spezia along the Aurelia road one passes through Riccò del Golfo which is surrounded by groups of villages on the hillside. Shortly after the Aurelia, a provincial road goes off to Pignone (a hamlet with historical remains) and then leads on to the Sanctuary of the "Madonna di Soviore" and after Levanto and Monterosso. Going back to the Aurelia road one comes across Padivarma and Borghetto Vara, at this point it is worthwhile leaving the Aurelia road to visit Brugnato, the diocesan seat with the famous Cathedral with the two naves. From Brugnato one can get to Rocchetta Vara then go up to Veppo and by another road to Suvero, a hamlet with a notable Malaspina Castle and now a popular summer holiday place in the area where the Casoni Pass looks over towards Mulazzo and the Lunigiana of Massa. A little beyond Rocchetta Vara another road leads you into the Zignago Valley scattered with picturesque villages. From Brugnato yet another road takes you to Sesta Godano and from there to Varese Ligure where you can see the restored Fieschi Castle, paintings in the parish church and the unusual circular village centre from where the roads for Emilia spread out towards the two passes (passo di Cento Croci and passo del Bocco). While in S. Pietro Vara one passes an 18th century Sanctuary on the Passo di Velva before arriving at Sestri Levante. Going along the Aurelia road towards the Passo del Bracco you come to Carrodano and Mattarana and an inland road takes you to Carro where you cannot but be fascinated by the luxuriant greenery and undisturbed landscapes. Apart from hotel accomodation, you can also take advantage of agrotourism in local farmhouses, and luxuriant woodlands particularly in the upper part of the Valley offer ample opportunities for horseriding, fishing and hunting.
Throughout the Valley, the traveler and tourist alike will enjoy savoring the traditional food of the area in restaurants and trattorias together with the excellent white wines from Brugnato, Sesta Godano and Varese Ligure.
"Published by and reprinted with the kind permission of In Italy Online."
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