La Spezia is often not an Italian city that has major name recognition, but is known as the “gateway to Cinque Terre”, which has more international acclaim. Cinque Terre is a collection of five (or cinque) seaside villages along the coast and known for their colorful houses, fishing boats, hiking and seafood. Today it holds UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
La Spezia is in close proximity to many other major European cities; it is relatively close to Florence, but students would fly into the airport in Pisa. It is directly on the water as a port city and regularly operates ferries to nearby destinations, such as Corsica.
La Spezia is also close to France or Switzerland, which is actually closer than Rome, Italy! Therefore, this offers a great opportunity for students looking to explore more of Europe.