Travelling through Liguria in the Malibu Van
From coastal walks to sea views and the Italian way of life.
Liguria is one of Italy’s most beautiful regions – a perfect blend of spectacular coastal landscapes, picturesque villages, culinary delights and the Mediterranean way of life. We set off in the Malibu Van for a few days on the Italian Riviera and enjoyed a varied trip full of unforgettable experiences.
Getting there via Lake Lugano
Our journey began on Tuesday evening. The plan had been to drive through the San Bernardino Tunnel towards Italy, but an unexpected road closure threw a spanner in the works. Instead, we had to switch to an alternative route at short notice, which was much more winding and took considerably longer than originally planned. Despite the unplanned detour, we reached a campsite on Lake Lugano during the night, where we spent our first night.
The next morning, we were treated to a stunning view. Over a cappuccino with a view of the lake, we were able to start our holiday in a relaxed manner and recharge our batteries for the rest of the journey. We then continued our journey southwards and eventually reached the Ligurian coast. Our home for the next four nights was the Tigullio campsite in Sestri Levante – an ideal base from which to explore the region.
A relaxing start in Sestri Levante
After checking in at the campsite and popping out for a quick shop, we spent the rest of the afternoon on the beach at Sestri Levante. The warm weather, the crystal-clear water and the relaxed atmosphere made it easy to slip straight into holiday mode. After the long journey, we enjoyed our first few hours by the sea and let our minds wander.
That evening, we found a spot with a view of the coast and raised a glass of Aperol to mark the start of our holiday. On the recommendation of the campsite manager, we then went to the restaurant ‘La Rada’. The combination of regional cuisine, fresh ingredients and the restaurant’s close proximity to the sea made the evening a successful start to our trip.
Cinque Terre – The highlight of the trip
On the second day of our holiday, we headed to one of Italy’s most famous regions: the Cinque Terre. We first took the train to Monterosso and set off on foot from there towards Vernazza. Instead of taking the popular coastal path, we deliberately chose a hiking trail at a higher altitude. This decision turned out to be a real stroke of luck. Whilst there were plenty of visitors on the well-known routes, we were able to enjoy the walk in almost complete tranquillity. Time and again, spectacular views opened up of the Mediterranean, the cliffs and the colourful villages nestled against the slopes.
Once we arrived in Vernazza, we treated ourselves to some fresh focaccia and watched the hustle and bustle in the little harbour. We then continued our journey by train to Riomaggiore. Right by the edge of the water, we enjoyed a limoncello and found a little cove that was perfect for a quick dip to cool off. From there, we continued our walk to Manarola, which, with its distinctive houses and unique setting, is one of the most beautiful places in the Cinque Terre. After an eventful day, we finally returned to Sestri Levante. We spent a cosy evening by the van, cooking a typical Ligurian dish: trofie pasta with fresh pesto. A day’s holiday could hardly have ended any better.
From San Fruttuoso to Portofino
The third day also had another highlight in store. We took a boat from Sestri Levante to San Fruttuoso, a small village best known for its historic abbey right by the sea. Even the journey along the coast was impressive and offered stunning views of the Ligurian Riviera.
We set off on our walk to Portofino from San Fruttuoso. The route led through Mediterranean woodlands, past steep stretches of coastline and, time and again, to vantage points offering spectacular panoramic views of the sea. It was particularly pleasant that we only came across a few other walkers along the way. The tranquillity and the stunning natural surroundings made this tour one of the most wonderful experiences of the whole trip.
Portofino itself, however, did not quite live up to our high expectations. The world-famous coastal resort was absolutely heaving, and we could only find a few quiet spots to relax. Nevertheless, it is well worth a visit simply for the famous harbour and the unique setting. In the late afternoon, we strolled through the narrow streets before returning to Sestri Levante by boat and winding down the day in a relaxed manner.
A visit to the market, the charm of the old town and a perfect farewell evening
Our last full day of the holiday began with a visit to the large weekly market in Sestri Levante. For us, a visit to a market in Italy is simply part of the experience. Amidst regional specialities, fresh fruit and vegetables, clothes and small souvenirs, there was a lively atmosphere that perfectly reflected the Italian way of life.
After visiting the market, we spent a few hours in the old town of Sestri Levante. The winding alleyways, small cafés and proximity to the sea give the town a very special charm. At the same time, we used the afternoon to start making some preparations for the return journey.
For our final dinner, we deliberately decided to avoid the well-known tourist spots and drove to the nearby coastal town of Cavi. This one has a much more rustic and authentic feel to it and is mainly frequented by locals. At the ‘Ca’ Melia’ restaurant, we enjoyed an excellent dinner in a relaxed atmosphere. After that, we took another stroll down to the sea and sat down on the rocks along the coast. As the sun slowly disappeared behind the horizon, we looked back on the past few days and enjoyed the view of the Ligurian Sea one last time. That sunset was the perfect end to a wonderful trip.
On the road with the Malibu Van
On Sunday morning, we bought a few Italian specialities to take home before setting off on our journey back. This time, the San Bernardino Tunnel was open again, so we were able to drive home without any delays and feeling completely relaxed.
The Malibu Van proved to be the ideal companion throughout the entire journey. In a region like Liguria in particular, the freedom offered by a campervan brings enormous benefits. You can travel flexibly, tailor your day trips to suit you, and still have your home with you at all times. As this was already our second camping holiday, we were able to really appreciate the benefits of travelling on the move.
We were also generally satisfied with the Tigullio campsite. The location right by the sea, the friendly owners and the beautifully situated pitches really won us over. It was only the toilet facilities that didn’t quite live up to our expectations. Nevertheless, the campsite is a good choice for couples and active travellers. However, we would only recommend it to a limited extent for families with young children.
Our conclusion
Looking back, our trip to Liguria was a complete success. We were captivated by the region’s diverse landscapes, its impressive coastal walks, its picturesque villages and its excellent kitchen. It is the combination of active holidays, relaxation by the sea and the authentic Italian way of life in particular that makes Liguria such an exceptional destination.
The walks in the Cinque Terre and between San Fruttuoso and Portofino, the relaxing evenings by the sea, the culinary highlights and the many little encounters along the way made this trip unforgettable for us. If you value freedom, nature, flexibility and that special feeling of being able to plan each day as it comes, we can highly recommend a trip through Liguria in a Malibu Van.
