Beach holidays in Italy

Porto Maurizio is, together with Oneglia, one of the two souls of the city of Imperia. And if to immerse oneself in the more modern part of the city one has to stroll through the narrow streets of Oneglia, those who want to discover the more ancient heart of Imperia will find Porto Maurizio waiting for them. Here, every piece of architecture, every detail and every building recounts the city's past: the caruggi, the creuze almost vertically on the rock, not to mention the spectacular Duomo Basilica di San Maurizio, the largest church in Liguria, where you can admire paintings and sculptures by some of the greatest artists of the 19th century. And here, too, it is the sea that plays the starring role. From the spectacular view of the gulf to the call of life linked to trade, fishing and the whims of the tides, everything is intertwined with the essence of the sea, from the past to the present day, without interruption.

Montemarcello, a small hamlet in the municipality of Ameglia, is a place that knows how to narrate, to those who have the desire to listen, what it means to have a soul suspended between the sea and the mountains. From its slight elevation, one can enjoy a spectacular panorama, which caresses the Golfo dei Poeti with its islands of Tino and Tinetto, and then rests on the plain of the Bocche di Magra, where the Ligurian hills soften and slope into the soft Tuscan plains. The Montemarcello-Magra-Vara Park is a treasure trove of nature and biodiversity, where you can encounter the many botanical species that inhabit it, a fauna so diverse that it gives life to landscapes that change completely within a few kilometres, and where you can admire cormorants, herring gulls, herons and kingfishers, the Park's symbolic bird. A paradise for trekking lovers, Montemarcello is the ideal place for anyone seeking contact with nature, between the silence of the hills and the timeless charm of the sea.

A profound harmony has always reigned between the village of Loano and the sea, linked by an endless interweaving that has accompanied the village since the dawn of time. In fact, its maritime tradition is strong, linking the growth of the town to the activities of shipyards, fishermen and sailors. Sea as history, therefore, but also as a natural resource of great importance, to be enhanced and protected. Loano safeguards its maritime environment thanks to an artificial reef, an important work at European level, which contributes to the development of ecological conditions that favour the repopulation of marine flora and fauna. Loano with its Marina, with its beaches, with its enchanting sunsets over the sea and with its shops offering typical products and local handicrafts. And a place of transit that is also a place of identity, is the port, which symbolically represents sea voyages, the life of fishermen, exchanges and intertwining. Everything on the sea, everything thanks to the sea.

Marola is a small hamlet of the city of La Spezia, one of the thirteen seaside villages in its Gulf. An ancient Roman settlement, its history has always been intertwined with the sea, despite the loss of the natural landing place of San Vito during the 19th century due to the construction of the Arsenal. But the seafaring soul is not erased and still finds a way to express itself in an important traditional event: the Palio del Golfo, a challenge that takes place every year, on the first Sunday in August, and whose protagonists are the boats of the thirteen maritime districts that overlook the Golfo dei Poeti. The Palio is the main event of La Spezia's Festa del Mare, the moment when the close relationship that has always linked the city and its borgate to this archaic and powerful element is celebrated.

Nervi is the green heart of Genoa: its mild climate and the presence of extraordinary natural parks, art galleries and, above all, the sea, all make the small village of Nervi a pearl set in the Riviera. Genoa is close, but here the rhythms are gentle, the distances short, nature queen. Worth seeing, in this sense, are the Nervi Parks, home to more than a hundred different botanical species, including some rare and exotic essences, and, for art and culture enthusiasts, the museum centre, which includes the Genoa Modern Art Gallery, the Giannettino Luxoro Museum, and the Raccolte Frugone, is well worth a visit. And then, above everything and intertwined with everything, the sea. Everything here is permeated by its presence: the small houses overlooking the harbour, the carrugi and creuze, the stories of the fishermen and the small boats resting on the shore... a small paradise caressed by the waves.

It is impossible not to know about Sanremo: the city of the Italian Song Festival, the Tenco Prize, the Giraglia, the Casino and the Milan-Sanremo, but above all, a city known for its colorful flowers, the red shrimps and the enchantment of the sea. The Sanremo sea is to be admired at the slow and relaxed pace of pedaling: its very famous Pista Ciclabile del Ponente Ligure, suspended between the green of the hills and the blue of the waves and the sky, is a true oasis. It offers 24 kilometers to walk, to bike, to roller skate and to skateboard along the coast enjoying the shade of the maritime pines. Sanremo is seaside town, but with a green heart: worth seeing are its beautiful villas with lush gardens, where very special exotic plants stand out. Finally, Sanremo's marine essence, the place where to leave from and arrive to the sea: Portosole. It is the town's marina, where life never stops, where the rhythms are dictated by the tides and the air smells of saltiness. As it always has been, as it probably will always be.

Port of maritime history and culture An old saying in dialect goes “li gens de San Remu navigou san remu,” meaning “the people of Sanremo can sail without oars,” that is, they just need sails. The secret lies in the Porto Vecchio which was the main commercial, social and economic resource of the Ligurian city from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. The port is testimony to the deep connection that the City of Flowers has with its sea. Even today, like long ago, Sanremo life revolves around it, between nightlife, shopping and the hustle and bustle of all the ships that dock there daily. Over the years, it has been the venue for numerous activities, attractions and workshops, like the “A tavola sul Porto Vecchio” and “MareCultura - La Festa del Porto, del Territorio e dell'Eccellenza Artigiana” initiatives.

Civitanova Marche is a city that lives divided between land and sea: the Upper Town is an ancient hamlet surrounded by the walls of a medieval castle, while the coastal area is the area most deeply linked to the sea and its history. The most valuable architectural and cultural sights are the historic Annibal Caro Theatre, the Moretti Municipal Art Gallery with its contemporary art collection, the Church of Sant'Agostino, the Church of San Francesco; the Church of San Paolo, the Church of San Marone. Finally, on the third Sunday in June, the event that most represents the city's seafaring identity takes place: the Festa del Mare, a festival of flavours and fragrances where you can taste and discover ancient local recipes.

Porto Recanati, the seaside town where Leopardi was born Porto Recanati is a fishing village nestled in the beauty of Monte Conero. With 9 kilometres of beaches and a pedestrian promenade, it is popular with tourists in all seasons. Porto Recanati has been awarded the Blue Flag several times for its beaches thanks to its environmental sustainability policies. The medieval Swabian Castle stands in the central square and had the main function of defence against pirate attacks. Summer shows and cultural events take place in the large courtyard, which houses the Gigli Arena named after the tenor from Recanati Beniamino Gigli. Leaving the centre, you come across an interesting archaeological site, which has brought the ancient Roman city of Potentia back to life. An all-natural bike tour One of the features of Porto Recanati is that it is surrounded by numerous cycle paths. From the seafront to the surrounding countryside, those who love cycling will not be disappointed, and will be able to organise countless routes on two wheels. From the city centre to more secluded places as far as Loreto, cycling of all kinds and levels can be organised. Porto Recanati: a small town with a seaside tradition In Porto Recanati, traditions are important and besides the sea, events are in the hearts of the citizens. One of these is the Palio di San Giovanni, a distinctive historical re-enactment footrace. On this occasion, those present take to the streets and cheer on the athletes from their own districts. Another long-awaited event is the Pink Night, with the streets of the city centre animated until late at night and open shops, live concerts, street performers and street food trucks. A brodetto to be enjoyed One of the jewels of traditional gastronomy is the brodetto portorecanatese, composed of a soup enriched with various types of lower-grade fish. All the ingredients are then cooked in a pan with tomato. Every year it is remembered in June with a festival called “Brodetto Week”. On days dedicated to the dish, participating restaurants offer it at a discounted price. Tips for a tour of Porto Recanati Porto Recanati is easily reached thanks to its central location on the Marche coast, at the foot of the Conero Park. In the fishing village, an after-dinner stroll along the central Corso Matteotti is very pleasant. In summer, antique and handicraft markets are set up, which are worth exploring.

Today a hamlet of Gabicce Mare, the northernmost coastal town on the Marche coast on the border with Emilia Romagna, Gabicce Monte actually represents its origins: the small town was in fact the oldest urban aggregate in Gabicce, built on a promontory overlooking the sea to control the territory and any enemy attacks. What remains of that strategic position is the beauty of the panorama that greets the eye, the sheer sea, the green vegetation that surrounds the town and is an ideal destination for those who love walking and mountain biking. A village that overlooks the sea and, at the same time, has taken root in the green hillside, a village with a dual soul.

It is a small hamlet of the city of Pesaro, Casteldimezzo, perched on a hill overlooking the sea: it does not reach great heights, but on clear days the panorama sweeps far and the eye can touch the outlines of Fano and Ravenna. Disputed by various domains, in the Middle Ages Casteldimezzo passed through the hands of the Malatesta, Sforza and finally Della Rovere families. The legend recounted in an epigraph in the centre of the town dates back to the 16th century and sees the sea as the protagonist: besieged by the Florentine army, the town asked for help from the wooden Crucifix 'brought from the sea', which caused a spring of water to gush forth, allowing the besieged to resist until they were liberated.

Sea, nature and culture are at the heart of the soul of Porto Sant'Elpidio, a historic maritime village that has been able to enhance its beauty and its propensity for hospitality. The marvellous beaches, the pine forest overlooking the sea, and the cycle path for those who love active tourism make the village the ideal place for those who wish to lose themselves in the beauty of the sea and the landscape. But the village also offers theatre and music festivals, such as "Theatres of the World" and the International Children's Theatre Festival held in July at the Teatro delle Api.