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Savona - The old dock
Varazze to Andora: in 1550 square kilometres of coast, valleys and mountains. Here, winter or summer, life goes on between the blue sea and the green of olives and pines. It is a territory with unique panoramas where the mild climate eased by the sea allows for comfortable living all year round on the riviera. Ample sandy beaches alternate with rocky promontories encapsulating suggestive uncontaminated shores.
Vivacious coastal resorts offer guests a vast choice in where to stay, to dine in restaurants or go for a night out in clubs or beach resorts equipped to entertain both adults and very young. The towns have historical centres with characteristic narrow streets called carruggi opening out onto sunny little squares among houses with façades of typical Mediterranean colours with interesting architectural peculiarities.
Here lie the towns of Alassio, with its beach of very fine sand and its famous wall; Loano with its artistic fountains; Pietra Ligure with its monumental square; Finale Ligure and its ample palm-lined seafront; Varigotti with its old centre of colourful houses right on the waterfront; Spotorno, celebrated by Sbarbaro and Varazze with its modern marina.
Not far from the coast lie two uncontaminated little islands, Bergeggi and Gallinara, regional natural reserves, protected for their precious landscapes.
Short journeys allow for the discovery of panoramas alternating hills with mountains, transparent seawaters and karstic landscapes with grottos and cliffs offering breathtaking emotions.
More than half this territory is covered with woods and forests, where old dwellings have been transformed into rural guest houses. An opportunity to taste local produce and savour historical towns rich in traditions providing many suggestions for excursions.
Medieval Savona offers enchanting views recalling the florid city it became between the 15th and 16th centuries. This was when there were some Popes coming from the local Della Rovere family. Next to the old, lies a modern city with a renewed docks with fashionable attractions. The Pinacoteca Civica di Savona is an excellent Liguria museum with paintings on wood and splendid polyptychs, ceramic vases and wooden sculpture dating from the 14th century to nowadays.
The historical centre of Albenga stands out with its towers and alleyways between medieval palazzi holding museums and art collections. The Battistero is one of the most important early Christian monuments in Liguria. Eight of the towns here are listed among the most beautiful in Italy: Noli; an ancient maritime republic; Castelvecchio di Rocca Barbena, grown around its castle; Finalborgo, a medieval jewel; Millesimo, with its fortified “Gaietta” bridge; Colletta di Castelbianco, the first on-line village in Europe; Laigueglia, a colourful fishing village; Zuccarello, with its porticoed street; Verezzi, a natural stage for its Festival Teatrale Internazionale.
The Italian Touring Club has also given its special Orange Flag award to Sassello, Toirano and Castelvecchio di Rocca Barbena for their development policies promoting their cultural, tourist and environmental heritage.
Toirano and Borgio Verezzi are famous for their grottos, rich in archaeological finds and fascinating rock formations.
Artistic handicraft is marvellously expressed by the ceramics of Albisola and Savona and the glass works of Altare,thanks to the ancient tradition of capable craftsmen making their land famous in all the world.
The Province of Savona is a true and proper outdoor gymnasium, offering a vast range of activities. The sea, the unchallenged protagonist of the summer, attracts people all year round for surfing and sailing. The suggestive sea-beds attract many scuba divers, whether attracted by the exploration of flora and fauna or wreckages and archaeological remains.
The hills offer pleasant excursions all year round for walking, mountain bikes or horse-rides also fit for families. The long Alta Via dei Monti Liguri trail runs along the whole of the greater Liguria from Ventimiglia to La Spezia.
The Regional Natural Parks are Bric Tana; Piana Crixia; the vaster and better known Beigua Regional Natural Park - the only GeoPark in northern Italy; and numerous protected areas holding and safeguarding a rich environmental biodiversity.
The splendid pinkish white rock faces over the sea or slightly inland attract the best climbers from around the world as well as absolute beginners.
Golf lovers have the top level Garlenda and Albisola Superiore to choose from, both in unique beautiful settings.
The Cetaceans Sanctuary is an uncontaminated area where one can spot sea mammals such as blue whales, dolphins and sperm whales. This is where they gather in spring and summer to nourish themselves before the winter.
There are many particularly fascinating cultural events. The Festival Teatrale of Borgo Verezzi in summer animates the magic and panoramic scene of Verezzi. Then there's the Riviera dei Teatri, a professional artistic theatre circuit promoting a deep bond with the territory. There are also many other festivals. Culture and the love of tradition give way all year round to a lively carousel of traditional village festivities with competitions and regattas, flowers, fêtes, markets and religious processions. The most famous and prestigious of the latter being the historical “Holy Friday Procession” held every two years in Savona. Here local monasteries parade their wooden cases and crucifixes through the town's historical centre.
The Savona cuisine is a blend of sea and land produce. Aromatic herbs and vegetables are much used, dishes enrichened by the excellent olive oil used with its delicate flavour.
Among local products we have spiny artichokes, ox-heart tomatoes and trumpet courgettes colouring local farmer's stalls. Recognized slow-food champions are the violet asparagus of Albenga, the Savona chinotto, Noli's cicciarelli (type of fish) and the dried chestnuts of Calizzano and Murialdo.
Chick peas are the main ingredient of the famous farinata, cooked in wood burning stoves and brass pans. Characteristic of the city of Savona is the white variety, with wheat flour. Also made from chick peas is the “panissa”, excellent fried in bread or cut into dice and mixed into salads.
One should taste the formaggetta savonese, produced in the borough of Stella.
There are many desserts, among which famous delicacies such as the amaretti di Sassello and baci di Alassio, and other less known treats among which biscette and millesimini al rhum .
All may be accompanied by local wines, mainly whites delicate in flavour. They are represented by Pigato, Rossese and Vermentino for the Albenga area, Lumassina from near Finale, Buzzetto and eGranaccia coming from the area of Quililano.
The hinterland of theL’entroterra delle Valli del Bormida Valleys offers cuisine growing as it nears, progressively closer to that of Piedmont. In the mountain towns mushrooms prevail, together with game and chestnuts. Truffles can be found in the area of Millesimo.
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