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 medioeval 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 ro 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 one into the Zignago Valley scattered with picturesque villages.
From Brugnato yet another road takes one to Sesta Godano and from there to Varese Ligure where one 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 one comes to Carrodano and Mattarana and an inland road takes one to Carro where one cannot but be fascinated by the luxuriant greenery and undisturbed landscapes. Apart from hotel accommodation, one 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 sooting.
Throughout the Valley, the traveller and tourist alike can enjoy savouring the traditional food of the area in restaurants and trattorias together with the excellent white wines from Brugnato, Sesta Godano and Varese Ligure.
Tourist information(0187 thelephon prefix)
Calice al Cornoviglio
I.A.T. tel. 936387 fax 936309
Varese Ligure
I.A.T. tel 842139-842115 fax 842366
e c/o Pro Loco di Carro tel. 861295
Media Val di Vara
(Carrodano - rocchetta - Vara) tel. 86872
Riccò del Golfo
tel. 925106
Sesta Godano
tel. 891525
Tavarone (Maissana)
tel. 840280
Zignago
tel. 865075
Mountain Comunity Centre dell'Alta Val di Vara
a Carro tel.861101 - a Varese L. tel.842181
Mountain Comunity Centre della Media e Bassa Val di Vara
a Beverino tel.883181
Local History Museum of Cassego
visits by appointment only tel. 843005
Local Archeological Museum of Zignago
loc. Sassetta
information and visits: Town hall tel. 865075
Maissana caves
information and visits tel. 845715
Cultural Centre "Val di Vara"
Brugnato tel. 894175
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