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Home , Apennine Mountains, Cinque Terre DOC, Corniglia, Euroflora, Italian Riviera, Maritime Alps

: THE NORTHERN COASTAL BEAUTY

Where

Genova is the capital city of Liguria .

Weather

This city has a very mild climate, hot summers and Liguria is on the north-west coast of , overlooking the mild , hinterland can be . Liguria is bordered by to the west, more cold. to the north, and -, and to the east. This narrow strip of land is bordered by the sea, the , and the . Separated by mountains from the rest of Italy, and warmed by the green-blue of the Mediterranean, Liguria enjoys a typically round, an ideal area for growing flowers, , lemons, and olives. Rain is quite variable and more abundant in and . Lush vegetation, a mild climate and mountains that meet the sea, what more could a holiday ask for? Known as the , 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.

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Food Specialities TOURS AND ACTIVITIES

Sailing, Windsurfing, and 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 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 : 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 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 , pesto traditionally courses of the green region are located in , consists of crushed garlic, basil, Garlenda, , and . 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. ( 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 , 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 to Ceparana. The Alta Via of around Le . 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 , the , 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- 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.

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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, , , 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. , 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 ), 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 , 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 ; the most famous among them is 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 of Saint George, www.helloitalytours.com 3 the Castle, immersed in magnificent , , , gardens, and dozens of dream are and . The inhabitants of dotted among the olive . 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 . 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 , the most famous town, as well as the closest church of San Francesco with its recently town to . 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 (Blue celebrities and renowned artists, like the Trail), traversing the National Park of le poet Perseus, Dante, the Romantic Cinque Terre. poets Mary and Percy Shelley, , 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 , 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 overlooking the lanes converging on the main piazza, sea, as well as gracious villas and colorful fishermen’s cottages, are a sight to see. La Spezia is situated at the center of a bay and the site for the navy arsenal. Worth visiting are the castle of San Giorgio, the church of Santa Maria Assunta and the Lia Museum. Le Cinque Terre: Le Cinque Terre (The Five Lands) is the name of a district that encompasses five glorious small coastal towns—

www.helloitalytours.com 4 adjacent to the picturesque small port. The The traditional cake is offered only to those Parish House of Saint Mary of Antioch, the who have found his or her anima gemella Castle and the Sanctuary of the Virgin (soul mate), a matching that occurs when two of Reggio are Vernazza’s main tourist people find each other and have matching attractions. colored tickets. The aim is to find the person of the opposite sex with an identical ticket so you can romantically receive your slice of Manarola: Manarola is positioned at the top Fieschi cake together. of a steep cliff and is made up of generous , terraces, vineyards, and orchards. Sagra del Pesce di San Fortunato: In the Tourists can enjoy awe-inspiring landscapes small village of , just east of Genoa, from the Punta Bonfiglio headland, or from there is an annual festival, Sagre del Pesce di the churchyard of Sanctuary of Nostra San Fortunato (Fish Festival of Saint Signora della Salute di Volastra. Fortunato), the patron saint of fish. The Corniglia, situated at the top of a peninsula, festival takes place on the second Sunday of is home to the production of excellent wines, May each year and is a fantastic experience, such as the Cinque Terre DOC, the Pollenza, well worth visiting on a spring vacation to and the very well-known Sciacchetrà. Italy. The festival is in honor of the saint for looking out for the local fishermen while they SPECIAL EVENTS are at sea. The night before the festival is a massive fireworks display, followed by a Sanremo Music Festival: Every February bonfire building competition. Two districts Sanremo hosts the Festival di Sanremo compete to build the tallest and most (Sanremo Music Festival). This singing impressive bonfires on opposite sides of the competition dates back to shortly after WW beach. Each one is connected to the steeple II, and is more recently a competition to of the church by a fire wire which is used to discover who will take part, representing light each fire simultaneously in the most Italy, in the world famous Eurovision spectacular . The day of the event competition. witness and locally caught fish as they’re fried up on the harbor in the world’s Torta dei Fieschi: August 14, the village of largest frying pan, and handed out to all. comes to life with dance and music El siglo de los Genovesis: El Siglo de los commemorating the event of the Torta dei Genovesis (The Century of the Genoises) Fieschi (the Fieschi’s cake), where according One of the major events of the year it’s a to the legend, on Count Opizzo Fieschi and stunning exhibition of paintings and Bianca de Bianchi’s wedding day in 1230, he precious objects held at ‘Palazzo Ducale’ of invited his guests and everyone else in town Genoa. to share a cake that was more than 30 feet The Genoa International Boat Show: One of high. Now, in honor of his generosity, each the world’s premier boat shows, held year the town celebrates the event by annually in Genoa during the month of dressing in costumes and parade around October. The exhibition takes place at town. The feast ends with a gigantic cake Fieristico as well as parts of the old town and located in the middle of the square Piazza port of Genoa. Vittorio .

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Euroflora: Celebrating the floral abundance of the region, expect to be amazed at the Euroflora event. Held in April every four in Genoa, come and enjoy exhibits with flowers and plants both Italian and international competing for prizes. The next Euroflora will be in 2017.

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