! LIGURIA: THE NORTHERN COASTAL BEAUTY Where Genova is the capital city of Liguria Region. Weather This city has a very mild climate, hot summers and Liguria is on the north-west coast of Italy, overlooking the mild winters, hinterland can be Ligurian Sea. Liguria is bordered by France to the west, more cold. Piedmont to the north, and Emilia-Romagna, and Tuscany to the east. This narrow strip of land is bordered by the sea, the Alps, and the Apennine Mountains. Separated by mountains from the rest of Italy, and warmed by the green-blue waters of the Mediterranean, Liguria enjoys a typically Mediterranean climate year round, an ideal area for growing flowers, grapes, lemons, and olives. Rain is quite variable and more abundant in autumn and winter. Lush vegetation, a mild climate and mountains that meet the sea, what more could a holiday ask for? Known as the Italian Riviera, the region stretches from the French border to Tuscany. Liguria’s coastline is one to remember — lovely beaches that alternate with rocky promontories, small coves, calm bays, and sheer cliffs that plunge into the sea. Sophisticated resorts, medieval towns, quaint fishing villages, and bustling ports dot the landscape. www.helloitalytours.com !1 ! Food Specialities TOURS AND ACTIVITIES Sailing, Windsurfing, and Water Sports: In Liguria you can Ligurian cuisine is typically find perfect conditions for water sport enthusiasts to kite M e d i t e r r a n e a n : o l i v e o i l , surf, windsurf, and sail. vegetables, mushrooms, and aromatic herbs. These are Diving: You can practice diving in the protected marine accompanied by a wide range of areas of the region. There are also diving centers that wines that are produced from assist scuba diving fans with all the necessary equipment grapes grown on the sunny local during their visits through Liguria’s fantastic sea depths. hillsides. In all diving centers it is also possible to follow diving Pesto: Known throughout the courses of all levels and certifications. world as a fragrant-green basil Golf: Enjoy golf throughout the year with the Four Season sauce this gastronomic specialty is a symbol of Ligurian cuisine Golf pass, which will allow you to freely enjoy Ligurian throughout the world. Originating golf courses throughout the year. The four best 18-hole in Genoa, pesto traditionally courses of the green region are located in Sanremo, consists of crushed garlic, basil, Garlenda, Cogoleto, and Rapallo. and European pine nuts blended w i t h o l i v e o i l , Pa r m i g i a n o Walking and Trekking: Liguria is a treasure trove of sites Reggiano, and Fiore Sardo to see, if you’re interested in taking the slow way round. (cheese made from sheep’s milk). From ancient paths and roads, to paved streets, and This versatile condiment is itineraries among the hills, Liguria has everything you typically served with pasta, but need to. From the mountains to the sea, Liguria is a can also be added to Minestrone tangle of trekking paths. soup, served on beef-steak tomatoes, or with roasted Hiking: If testing your endurance is more your speed, potatoes. Liguria has an extraordinary hiking route that crosses all Buridda: Buridda is a traditional western Ligurian fish stew, made of Liguria, from Ventimiglia to Ceparana. The Alta Via of around Le Cinque Terre. the Ligurian Mountains allows you to discover extremely Cima: Cima alla Genovese is a interesting natural scenery, and vast panoramas that offer classic Ligurian stuffed breast of views of everything from the Ligurian Sea to the Island of veal, and is a standard dish of Corsica, the Maritime Alps, and the Apennine Mountains. Genoa Christmas menus, though Bicycling: A region known for its natural landmarks is the it can also be enjoyed in the perfect opportunity to have the best environmental summer months, because it’s holiday. Liguria is a cyclo-tourism paradise with served sliced, cold. everything from rolling hills, mountains, azure oceans, and national parks. Mountain Sports: If you’re looking to get a little extreme on your holiday, Liguria is not short on adrenaline pumping activities. If you’re looking to ski, whether it’s hitting the slopes or traversing the hills with cross-country skiing, there a several trails to blaze in this mountainous region. If you’re more into the physical sports, try mountaineering, paragliding, hang gliding, or free- climbing, and test your endurance. www.helloitalytours.com !2 ! PLACES TO VISIT Genoa: Visit the capital of Liguria, Genoa, a made it a popular destination for travelers multi-faceted city that is a culmination of the and tourists. Many villages and towns in the ancient with the modern. As a major port, area are internationally known, such as this city revolves around the sea— its culture, Portofino, Bordighera, Lerici, and the Cinque places, food, and buildings all tell the story Terre. of the old Maritime Republic. The part of the Riviera di Ponente centred on The ancient atmosphere permeates the air. Savona, is called the Riviera delle Palme Take a walk among the carruggi, the narrow (Riviera of Palms) and the part centered on alleys of the old town of Genoa, and explore Sanremo, is the Riviera dei Fiori (Riviera of the many wonders it holds. Visit one of Flowers), after the long-established flower Genoa’s main attractions, the Aquarium. One growing industry. of the most complete and technologically- The inland mountains have hilltop villages advanced marine life centers in Europe, the and offer hiking and numerous caves to Aquarium was designed by famous Italian explore. architect Renzo Piano. Venturing inside the Sanremo is the city of flowers known for its Aquarium is like taking a portal into an entire grand Casino and its celebrated Italian song marine world. Here you’ll find dolphins, festival. seals, sharks, and colorful fishes of all shapes An important tourist center, for decades it and sizes that create a breathtaking view for has preserved the Art Nouveau charm of its both adults and children. streets, studded with fashionable shops and clubs. Flowers are the star of both the city and its economy. Its small harbors and docks face a lively green coast that does not lack for ancient treasures: Medieval stone villages, sanctuaries, outstanding panoramic vistas, and many residences surrounded by gardens and parks planted with centuries old exotic plants; the most famous among them is Villa Nobel. Other than the Aquarium, visitors can also enjoy the Hummingbird Forest, the Portofino: As a summer home destination to Biosphere, the Galata Maritime Museum and the affluent and the aristocracy, Portofino is a panoramic lift that shoots up to 131 feet an out of sight and almost inaccessible, above sea level. hidden ancient fishing village that has become an internationally renowned symbol. Here you will find an exquisite town Riviera dei Fiori: Riviera di Ponente (the square, the symbol of Portofino, with its coast of the setting sun), extending colored houses, and a marina with its westwards from Genoa to the French border, fairytale yachts. The church of Saint Martin is is famous for its particularly mild climate also an attraction in this area worth a visit. which, together with the charm of old fishing Ascend up to the promontory where you’ll ports, and the beauty of its landscape, has see the church, the castle of Saint George, www.helloitalytours.com !3 ! the Brown Castle, immersed in magnificent Manarola, Riomaggiore, Corniglia, Vernazza gardens, and dozens of dream villas are and Monterosso al Mare. The inhabitants of dotted among the olive trees. Cinque Terre benefit not only from its For nature lovers, the ideal excursion is pristine waters, but also from its natural through the Portofino Natural Park, which environment, where wild nature is provides a network of paths heading interspersed with vineyards, olive groves, towards the mountain or halfway down the and citrus orchards. coast, with breathtaking views from the Monterosso: Venture to Monterosso, an promontory. ancient village located atop a hill that offers an unrivaled panoramic view of the entire Rapallo: This is one of the largest area. The main tourist attractions of municipalities on the Eastern Riviera. The Monterosso include: the Old Castle, the 16th-century castle overlooking the sea is Church of Saint John the Baptist, the only one of the many sites to see here. Convent of the Capuchin, and finally, the Rapallo is an important international tourist Statue of Neptune, called the Giant, attraction because of the high quality hotels, majestically guards the coastline from on and its important cultural events. Some high. religious buildings of importance are the collegiate church of Santi Gervasio e Riomaggiore: Riomaggiore is Cinque Terre’s Protasio, the church of Santo Stefano, the most famous town, as well as the closest church of San Francesco with its recently town to La Spezia. Riomaggiore is the start of restored altarpiece, and the Oratorio dei the world famous hiking route, carved out of Neri, with its 15th-century tower. rock in the early 20th-century, and leading to Manarola where we have the famous Via La Spezia e Golfo dei Poeti: The gulf has dell’Amore (Way of Love). Another route not always attracted and enchanted great to be missed is the Sentiero Azzurro (Blue celebrities and renowned artists, like the Trail), traversing the National Park of le Latin poet Perseus, Dante, the Romantic Cinque Terre. poets Mary and Percy Shelley, Lord Byron, and such modern authors as Marinetti, Vernazza: Vernazza, the old town, is home to Pavese, Sereni, and Marguerite Duras. defensive structures, elegant architecture, From Montemarcello to Porto Venere, the d e c o r a t i v e p o r t a l s , a n d e l a b o r a t e views of untarnished nature, old churches colonnades running between the narrow and monumental castles overlooking the lanes converging on the main piazza, sea, as well as gracious villas and colorful fishermen’s cottages, are a sight to see.