Casa Lucia is a pretty apartment in an unhurried village along Italy's Riviera coast where hills tumble into the Mediterranean Sea. Portovenere is just south of the famed Cinque Terre, and the entire area has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The small but lively town is an ordered jumble of tall, narrow buildings hugging the shoreline in colorful pastels. There are charming shops, seafood restaurants and cute cafes.

Casa Lucia sits directly across the street from a narrow, umbrella-lined stony beach. Its fourth-floor location (no elevator) enjoys unobstructed views of the glorious Gulf of Poets, which is encircled by rugged hills.

The apartment is designed to utilize the space well. The attractive furnishings are arranged to take full advantage of the impressive unobstructed water views, with wide full-length windows looking onto the glittering Gulf. Passing boats can be seen while relaxing in the living room, furnished with two comfortable pretty sofas. The oriental-style rugs and prints form a decorative theme. Floors are tiled in terracotta. The living room is also equipped with a TV (Italian) and a CD player. Glass doors open onto a wrap-around corner balcony offering gorgeous sea views.

Casa Lucia enjoys an open floor plan with a dining area to the left of the living area, which is furnished with an elegant antique-style dining suite seating six, and a china cabinet. Opening to the living and dining area is a compact galley kitchen with marble countertops, quality stemware, microwave oven, a dishwasher, cook top and oven, an American drip coffee maker, and even an espresso machine. The kitchen is fully stocked with cookware and dishes.

The bedrooms and bathrooms are located to the right of the entry. A quaint queen-sized bedroom occupies the corner of the building and enjoys fantastic two-sided views. A door gives access to the balcony. Next to it is a pretty pastel room with a king-size bed. The window frames a vista of the passing boats and a distant island. These two bedrooms share a bathroom, which is thoughtfully equipped with double sink basins. The glass-enclosed shower is lined in marble.

A small sitting room can serve as a third bedroom with a single daybed that hides an additional single trundle bed (extra charge for sixth person). A small ensuite bathroom with shower is tucked into this room.

The apartment has a washing machine, dishwasher, espresso machine, microwave oven, TV (Italian), CD player, and a balcony furnished with bistro table and chairs. The panoramic wrap-around corner balcony is the apartment's crowning feature. A table and chairs make it the perfect spot to enjoy "al fresco" dining. An awning provides shade, and the view is captivating with brilliant sunlight playing on the hills and water.

A paved seaside promenade leads to the center of town in just a few minutes' walk. Along the way are restaurants, shops and gelaterias. There is a colorful, weekly open-air market in the square. Portovenere is a characteristic village with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. The attractive town center retains its old-world charm and is closed to traffic, making it ideal for strolling. Portions of the town's ancient protective walls are still intact. Narrow stone lanes lined with pastel houses lead up the hill where the town is crowned by a commanding castle.

The Gulf of Poets is encircled by hills and is active with fishing boats, ferries, and pleasure crafts. From Portovenere, ferryboats depart hourly in season for the Cinque Terre and other local villages. The jagged, uncontaminated coast offers hiking as well as water sports. A regional nature park encompasses the jagged hills, the coastline dotted with coves and caves, and three little nearby islands. It is an ideal location for combining seaside relaxation with active, outdoor pursuits.