As I eagerly shared my upcoming journey to Portovenere, Italy, with a friend, they echoed the common question: “Where is Portovenere?” It’s a fair inquiry, considering this charming enclave remains a well-kept secret tucked away along the north-western coast of Italy, gracing the shores of the Ligurian Sea.

Officially recognised as the Gulf of La Spezia, this coastal treasure is affectionately dubbed the Gulf of Poets. In their formative years, this title was earned from its rich history as a gathering place for literary luminaries like Lord Byron, Percy, Mary Shelley, and D.H. Lawrence, bestowing upon it an aura of romanticism and allure.