Overhanging the sea and very close to the mountains, Liguria it is famous all over the world for its marvelous coast and luxuriant vegetation. But also with its perched villages of the hinterland and the small seaside villages. Liguria it is a land of strong contrasts and many facets where imposing cathedrals alternate with small churches. Famous shopping streets in lonely harbor districts. A region where the close contact with nature offers unique sensations between mountains, sea and poetry. Of very ancient origins, it preserves in fairy tales caves of Toirano, along the Riviera di Ponente, numerous findings of the Paleolithic. Its strategic position has made it the destination of the ancient routes of the Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans.
The Ligurian landscape
Liguria is distinguished between East River, which extends between Genoa and the Gulf of La Spezia, e Riviera di Ponentea, which goes from Genoa to Ventimiglia. These areas offer very different landscapes. The Riviera di Levante is characterized by rocks overlooking the sea and a luxuriant vegetation. There are well-known tourist resorts such as Rapallo. Portofino, with its famous square. Portovenere, a delightful village of brightly colored houses, dominated by the Genoese castle of the sixteenth century. Lerici with its imposing medieval castle and elegant villas. The natural gulf of La Spezia, in the far east, it is known to most as the gulf of poets, having been the home of several artists, struck by the beauty of this water amphitheater.
The Cinque Terre
Always on this side we find the Cinque Terre. Here among a generous and unspoiled nature, hidden between vineyards and citrus groves overlooking the sea, we find these five jewels perched on the rock. Monterosso, which with its beach represents a seaside destination par excellence. Vernazza characterized by narrow and steep streets. Manarola ancient medieval village. Riomaggiore, a beautiful fishing village and Corniglia. All these villages are connected to each other by the very famous and romantic Via dell'Amore.
The Riviera dei Fiori
The Riviera di Ponente, also known as "Riviera dei Fiori”, Is characterized by Mediterranean vegetation and long sandy beaches. The Riviera is home to some renowned resorts. Between these Sanremo, famous for floriculture and home to the homonymous song festival. Porto Cervo one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Noli, Alassio, the refined Bordighera and Ventimiglia, where the Hanbury botanical gardens are located, an uncontaminated environment that houses rare exotic plants.
Discover Genoa
Capital and emblem of the region, a city of a thousand contrasts, it is GenoVa. "Leaning against an alpine hill, superb for men and for walls, whose appearance alone indicates that she is the lady of the sea". So he defined it Francesco Petrarch. Genoa itself "where the sun of the good God does not give its rays", as he sang it De Andrè in the verses of its famous Old Town. Liguria offers a rich range of opportunities, including sea, mountains, culture and worldly life. We rediscover its dual nature, between sea and mountains, wealth and poverty, even in its cuisine based on fish and peasant recipes.
