Step by Step Towards Christmas (and Beyond)

The territory of Bergeggi, Noli, Spotorno and Vezzi Portio is growing as an outdoor tourism destination and there is no shortage of opportunities to practice it even during the Christmas holidays 2024 - 2025. As part of the project The Gulf Routes, created by the municipality of Spotorno, the Marine Protected Area of the Municipality of Bergeggi, and the Pro Loco of Bergeggi, Spotorno and Vezzi with the contribution of the Compagnia Sanpaolo Foundation, an initiative was born to enhance the area that focuses on the combination of hiking and culture.
Here are the scheduled events.

• Saturday 14 December Vezzi Ring and nativity scenes. Discovering the wildest part of the Gulf of the Island with a circular route that will cross the territory of Vezzi, the paths and villages with typical Ligurian rural architecture. At the end of the excursion the nativity scene artist Marco Pastorino will illustrate to the participants the secrets of the nativity scene set up in the oratory of San Bernardo;
• Sunday 15 December Among the alleys of Bergeggi to discover the Living Nativity Scene. A unique initiative featuring the Îzua ODV Storico Sociale Culturale of Bergeggi which will accompany visitors along the alleys of Bergeggi in the atmosphere of the Living Nativity Scene, to discover old arts and old crafts.
• Thursday 26 December The architectural park of Torre del Mare in Bergeggi. Urban trekking in the Torre del Mare Architectural Park to discover the buildings designed by the Milanese architect Mario Galvagni, in the company of a tourist guide, with the intervention of the architect Francesca Olivieri.
• Friday 27 December The Roman bridges and the Val Ponci. A historical and naturalistic trek led by a Gae guide from the Guide del Golfo. During the excursion you cross holm oak forests until you reach Val Ponci, with its 5 Roman bridges along the route of the ancient Via Iulia Augusta. You continue to the Grotta delle Fate which boasts the presence of an uncommon species of bats and from here you return passing by the ancient Roman quarries.
• Saturday 28 December Theatrical trekking from Spotorno to Noli Castle. Walk of naturalistic and historical interest on the ancient path that connected Spotorno with Noli with a visit to the Monte Ursino Castle that will be told through a dramatized visit.
• Sunday 29 December La Belle Epoque – Theatrical trekking. A theatrical guided tour through the alleys of Bergeggi, led by Elena Vergnano, a tour guide from the Guide del Golfo who will tell you about the territory of the Golfo dell'Isola during the Belle Epoque period. The memories will be made even more vivid thanks to the intervention of the historian and writer Maria Rosa Marsilio in the guise of Marchesa Guendalina Millelire, a noblewoman from Bergeggi.
• Monday 30 December. Literary and naturalistic trekking. From Noli to Spotorno passing through Voze and Tosse: a route marked by the reading of the lyrics of Camillo Sbarbaro. The walk will be enriched by the Nativity scenes set up along the streets of the villages.
• Monday 30 December. Churches and nativity scenes. Walk with guided tour of the Parish of SS Annunziata, the Oratories of Santa Caterina and SS Annunziata and their nativity scenes.
• Tuesday 31 December. Last trek of the year on the bric of Vezzi Portio. Trekking on the Bricchi of the hinterland of the Gulf of the Island. Naturalistic and panoramic excursion to Bric Carè and Bric dei Monti. At the end visit to the Portio Nativity Scene and end of year toast.
• Wednesday 1 January. The 5 hamlets of Spotorno. Guided tour of Spotorno to learn about its history, culture, art and tourism development through its 5 hamlets.
• Thursday 2 January. Napoleon's road between Noli and Varigotti. Excursion along the old Napoleonic route of the coastal road (now partly disappeared), passing through Santa Margherita and Cala del “Tuest”.
• Friday 3 January. Once upon a time there was Spotorno. Guided tour of Spotorno to learn about its history, culture, art and tourism development.
• Saturday 4 January. Noli ancient republic. Guided tour of the historic center of Noli to discover traces and clues that reveal the presence of hidden or forgotten towers and strongholds.
• Sunday 5 January. The Bric Berba and the Bric Frabosa. A circular route that winds partly along ridge paths and partly along easy dirt roads, connecting ancient mining research, the summit of Bric del Forno and the beautiful and panoramic “minor” peaks overlooking the Gulf of the Island of Bric Berba and Bric Frabosa.
• Sunday 5th January. Street orienteering treasure hunt with the Befana in Spotorno. An event dedicated to the little ones who, divided into teams, will be guided to the discovery of hidden clues, among anecdotes and curiosities.
• Monday 6 January. The Bergeggi cork oak forest. Panoramic circular trail, to discover a varied environment between Mediterranean scrub and pine forest. Enjoying splendid views of the sea you will reach the largest cork oak forest in Liguria.