Toccata e fuga is a column that wants to tell you how “do not miss the must-see” in the short time available, when the trip is short, maybe work, few breaks and minutes marked by droplets.

The first stop is the surprising Chiavari, a small village in the province of Genoa enjoyed on a Saturday and a Sunday where the work environment provided for the sporting event of the Italian Women’s Super Cup. The Ligurian town of about 27 thousand inhabitants, despite the restrictions due to covid, was my first “touch and escape” this 2021, in the hope that the pandemic is more lenient even with those who love to travel.

Chiavari, ten stages to mark with the blue tick

Here is a pocket guide of the ten essential stages in that of Chiavari: 1. Promenade (Corso Valparaiso). Raise your hand who loves the sea and who, like me, loves it even in winter. The ideal would have been a walk along this picturesque waterfront with hot chocolate in my hands, and some bubbles at aperitif time, but the take-away service has discouraged a little’ my demands. Despite this from the marina to the square of fishermen the show deserves. The view is widely rewarded, and the thought of what may be, hopefully, a season later, is also comforted by the presence of numerous equipped accommodation facilities suitable for disabled people. Blue mark, grade 7.5. 2. Our Lady of the Garden Cathedral. The convenience of Chiavari is also in the accessibility, so easy thanks to the train station that emerges just outside the center and that you leave behind the sea. A couple of steps and via the avenue leads to the homonymous square where stands this majestic cathedral. It was designed in 1836 by the architect from Modena Luigi Poletti who was inspired by the Pantheon of Rome and perhaps for this reason he idealized it of this size. The cathedral was completed two years later when five low-relief marble panels depicting the life of the Virgin were inserted into the façade. Blue mark, grade 7. 3. Carruggio straight. The historic center of Chiavari is right here that embraces via Martiri della Liberazione, a long series of black arcades and as many shops. The country stories run along this stretch, the adjacent squares, where it is easy to find markets (one on all that fruit and vegetable in Chiavari never misses, even in winter and there is no pandemic that holds) are Piazza Fenice, Piazza Roma and Piazza Mazzini. Blue mark, grade 7.5. 4. Church of San Giovanni Battista. In the historic center of Chiavari can not miss another religious monument: here is the Church of San Giovanni Battista, “clean”, without excessive frills and lacking a facade, admirable exterior, decidedly more valuable its ceiling and its perimeter walls, rich in frescoes. Blue check mark, grade 6 (stretched). 5. Church of San Giacomo Rupinaro. It is another of the churches of Chiavari located at the end of the historic center but very similar to San Giovanni Battista. Nothing exceptional. Blue mark, rating 5.5 6. Our Lady of Graces and Sanctuary of the Madonna of the Olive. “My grandmother said: if you do not visit the churches of a country will never know its full beauty”: here are two other shrines that offer an admirable internal spectacle, but even more an enchanting external show. The high position (the first one is located along the ascent of via Aurelia, the second on top of the hill Bacezza) guarantees a breathtaking view. Come red, I did not make in time to enjoy this show, reason more to return. 7. Path 5 Towers of Leivi. There is a scenic route that starts from the railway station, crosses the historic center of the city and continues along the hills overlooking Chiavari; forbidden to be frightened by the duration (4h15′), the difference in altitude is only 400 meters, the route is suitable for everyone and allows you to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of this village. It’s just a shame that in these two days I didn’t have 4 consecutive free hours. Red tick, another reason to come back here. 8. The focaccia. “Every scabbard is nice to mama soia” was sung a long time ago, so despite the closeness promotes focacce from different areas, even Chiavari from this point of view defends itself well: good focaccia and for all tastes, simple or stuffed in a thousand ways. I served myself from the Bakery Lead and I must say that yes, it was worth it. Blue tick, vote 6.5. 9. B&B Archi di Borgolungo. I feel like recommending it for every type of holiday because with an ideal location, simplicity and hospitality and Paola, an undisputed kindness, is a great reference point. Blue mark, grade 7. 10. The municipal stadium of Chiavari. Beyond the reasons of work, a sportswoman like me could avoid a visit to the city stadium? Touched and escape will have, like it or not, also a chapter dedicated to the sport, will be its trademark. At the municipal stadium of Chiavari plays its home games the Virtus Entella, a team that competes in the league B, but the structure, recently modernized, also lends itself to numerous other events, sports, as in this case, and not. Small, welcoming, quadrangular, synthetic turf, today it is approved for 5,587 fans (who we hope to see again soon on those grandstands), in two words “A jewel”. Blue mark, grade 7.