La Spezia

La Spezia's waterfront unfolds a long promenade lined with palms and public gardens, facing the marina and the mountains of the gulf. Leashed dogs are welcome and it makes the ideal daily walk, shaded during the hot hours. Always clean up and carry water in summer.

This medieval fortress crowns the old town and houses the civic archaeological museum, rich in statue-steles of the Lunigiana culture. The museum interior does not admit dogs, but the cobbled climb and the terrace give a fine view over the gulf on lead. A good excuse for a walk up high.

La Spezia's upscale marina lines up yachts, shops and waterside terraces, a short walk from the centre. You stroll the quays on lead, and several cafes happily welcome dogs. It is the departure point for many boat trips to Portovenere and the Cinque Terre.

The five colourful villages of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso are minutes apart by regional train from La Spezia. Dogs are allowed on the trains and on the CAI trails on lead, but some paths are steep and narrow, and a trail card may be required. Avoid the middle of the day in summer.

At the western tip of the gulf, this UNESCO-listed town lines up its colourful tower-houses beneath the church of San Pietro set on its rocky headland. Reach it by bus or ferry from La Spezia, dogs allowed, and the seafront walk to Byron's Grotto is done on lead. Spectacular views over the islands of Palmaria and Tino.

On the eastern shore of the Gulf of Poets, Lerici blends a medieval castle, coves and the villas where the English Romantic poets stayed. Bus or ferry from La Spezia, dogs allowed aboard, then a leashed stroll along the harbour and on to San Terenzo. In summer, dog access to supervised beaches is restricted: aim for the cooler hours.