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Tucked-away villages, secret little beaches and superb nature: how enchanting Liguria is!

Liguria is a wonderful strip of land enclosed between the sea and the mountains, with pastel-coloured houses and breathtaking views. With lush unspoilt nature, many small towns to discover and an incomparable culinary tradition, it enraptures the eye and the heart.

Genoa Imperia Savona La Spezia
Liguria
Genoa

Genoa is one of the most fascinating, unique and beautiful European cities, nestled between the Ligurian mountains and the azure blue sea. Not everyone knows that Genoa boasts the largest historic centre in Europe. It is enchanting to get lost among its maze of alleyways, and quite the workout with the hills. Then there are the monumental streets built by noble families of times gone by and the bustling, kilometre-long promenade, not to mention the unforgettable food.

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imperia
Imperia

Greenery, olive oil and history in western Liguria The Ligurian province of Imperia stretches along the western shore of the Italian Riviera, home to several famous seaside towns, including Bordighera and Sanremo, which hosts the well-known Italian Song Festival. The area is known for producing oil and olives. The village of Taggia cultivates the taggiasca variety of olive, small and dark, characterised by a delicate flavour. The city of Imperia boats the largest church in Liguria: San Maurizio Cathedral, flanked by twin bell towers that rise up 36 metres. The Ligurian capital is also known for being the birthplace of writer Edmondo De Amicis, author of the famous novel Heart. The municipal library houses a faithful reconstruction of his study, with photographs, notes and a collection of over 3,000 books. If you find yourself near Imperia, be sure not to miss the chance to visit to the Pasticceria Piccardo, which was founded in 1905 and is now listed as a Locali Storici d’Italia (Historic Establishment of Italy). The story goes that Fausto Coppi, with a 14-minute lead, abandoned the 1946 Milan-San Remo cycle race and popped in for a coffee.

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Liguria
Savona

A port surrounded by artistic and natural beauty Located on the western Ligurian Riviera, Savona is considered one of the most important Mediterranean ports in terms of tourism and trade. One of its symbols is undoubtedly the Priamar, a large 16th century military fortress perched on the coast. Built by the Genoese to demonstrate their supremacy over the city, today it is home to various cultural associations. Another place of interest is the Torre della Quarda or Torre Leon Pancaldo, better known simply as “Torretta”. Among the religious buildings, we recommend the Cathedral of the Assumption and the Gothic-style Sistine Chapel commissioned by Pope Sixtus IV, not to be confused with its Roman namesake. Among the natural beauties, the Toirano Caves, a suggestive itinerary among stalactites, stalagmites and ancient traces of prehistoric human beings, the Borgio Verezzi Caves and Mount Beigua with its nature park, are noteworthy. A compulsory stop at the Le Caravelle Aquatic Park, one of the main tourist attractions on the Ligurian Riviera, and in nearby Alassio, with its old town centre, beaches and famous wall.

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Liguria
La Spezia

In the midst of the Cinque Terre, Portovenere, Lerici and Tellaro, all wonderful places and worthy tourist destinations, La Spezia is often seen as a departure or transit point for the smaller, picturesque localities around it, yet it offers pleasant surprises: museums, the lively Via del Prione, the renovated Piazza Giuseppe Verdi and the Morin promenade, with its spectacular views of the gulf and the Apuan Alps. Neatly 19th-century in parts, industrial and modern, it was a destination of choice for the Grand Tour in the 18th and 19th centuries and the residence of the poets George Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley. At the time, the town was merely a charming village of 3,000 souls. There was no Arsenal, factory or port infrastructure, and no dyke to break the magic of a bay 9 kilometres wide and 13 deep. Napoleon, who described the Gulf of La Spezia as 'the most beautiful in the universe', saw it as an ideal place to build a military port. Count Cavour took up this dream and moved the arsenal of the Navy of the Kingdom of Sardinia from Genoa to La Spezia (1853), transforming the city's urban layout from a small walled town to a large maritime stronghold.

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Food and wine
Gulf of Poets, Ligurian flavours from Lerici to Portovenere

Gulf of Poets, Ligurian flavours from Lerici to Portovenere

The Gulf of Poets, a deep amphitheatre of rock and sea, alternating breathtaking views with ravines and small inlets, with villages that still retain their traditional pastel-coloured architecture. This charming corner of Liguria was loved by many poets and artists, such as Shelley, who stayed there with his wife Mary, Byron and Lawrence, as well as Petrarch and Montale. A popular tourist destination, not just for the uniqueness of its coastline, but also for its artistic beauty, numerous nature trails and abundant food and wine. The classic focaccia and varieties of pesto share the stage with ingredients typical of the sea – such as oysters and mussels, here strictly referred to as muscoli, farmed in the nurseries of the gulf. Wine is another distinctive product of this region, which features terraces carved out of the rocks with vineyards overlooking the sea, where salt, sun and wind impart an unmistakable character to the grapes and wine. Three denominations are available: Cinque Terre DOC, Colli di Luni DOC and Liguria di Levante IGT, with native grape varieties reigning supreme, most notably Vermentino. Olive growing is also well established and of high quality, with the Razzola and Pignola varieties producing an extra virgin olive oil of great finesse and sweet taste, perfect with a cuisine that reflects both the rural hinterland and the sea coast, composed of dishes such as mesciua, the soup par excellence of La Spezia, made with chickpeas and beans, or the classic bagnun, a fish soup made with anchovies, tomatoes and bread, sometimes cooked directly on fishing boats.
Villages
Lerici

Lerici

Although struggling with problems of overcrowding and traffic restrictions, and not immune to large-scale and not always high-quality construction, the resort retains some of the atmosphere that once made it a destination for romantic tourism. Particularly fascinating are the alleys and the stairways that characterise the layout of the oldest district and the imposing castle. There are two main religious buildings. The Oratory of San Rocco, in Largo Marconi - beside Piazza Garibaldi, accessible from the marina - with a 14th-century bell tower with two bas-reliefs from the 16th century and, inside, on the high altar, a beautiful 16th-century panel of Saints Martin bishop, Christopher, Sebastian and Rocco; in the left aisle, Our Lady Health of the Sick, an original painting on slate (16th century). The 17th-century church of San Francesco, in Via Cavour, has remarkable altarpieces, almost all by the Genoese school; the sacristy leads to the oratory of San Bernardino, where, according to tradition, Bernardino of Siena preached from the small black slate pulpit. Along the road that leads to Tellaro, a stretch of coastline of considerable environmental value is bordered, with a clear seabed rich in vegetation. Located between the points of Maramozza and Maralunga, the Caletta Underwater Archaeological Park is an ideal place for diving to discover the remains of a Roman merchant ship. On the stretch of craggy coastline between the headland of Maralunga and Fiascherino, there are enchanting little beaches with a steep descent.
Villages
Ponzano Superiore

Ponzano Superiore

Ponzano Superiore: a mediaeval village amid artistic treasures and panoramas If you have a passion for medieval villages far from time, the place you should visit is Ponzano Superiore, a magical place with old-world charm along the Via Francigena, which unfolds in a maze of cobbled streets and, thanks to its strategic position, dominates the area from Meloria to the Gulf of La Spezia. Ready to join us on our 1-day itinerary of artistic treasures and local beauty? Along the ancient Via Francigena, but without haste We should take example from the pilgrims who, on their way down from the Alpine passes and on their way to Rome and the Holy Land, lingered here in Ponzano Superiore: even today, the best way to enjoy this centre of the Via Francigena is not to be in a hurry. Take a look at the landscape and breathe deeply: you are in the beautiful Val di Magra, near Santo Stefano di Magra, in Lunigiana, a land that holds religious works of art of great value. The Parish Church of San Michele and its 5 altars One of the symbols of Ponzano Superiore is the Pieve di San Michele Arcangelo, an important place of Catholic worship in which there are no fewer than five altars and several paintings on canvas that have not yet been attributed. The church was repeatedly enriched with details between the 16th and 17th centuries and today has a Baroque and Rococo style. Also worth your time is Palazzo Remedi, whose splendid building, probably dating back to the 17th century, displays interesting sculptural reliefs. Pay attention to the remarkable coats of arms on the walls of the village that testify to the passage of different dominations over the centuries. The castle that is not there A quirk you won't find in the guidebooks: a castle once stood proudly here, of which no trace remains today. During the tour you will also encounter the Immaculate Conception Column, similar to the one on the Spanish Steps in Rome, and you can take a break or end the tour on the city's Belvedere. Ponzano as Caius Pontius Ponzano Superiore is a curious name, but what is it related to and how has it been maintained over the centuries? Its toponym is of Roman origin, probably referring to the consul Caius Pontius Ligo. Little is known of its history before 986; it was certainly the possession of the bishops of Luni, then passed to the Malaspina and in the 16th century to the Banco di San Giorgio. A priceless view Like a small jewel set on a hillock some 303 metres above sea level, Ponzano Superiore allows the eye to literally lose itself in the horizon. No archaeological digging has been carried out, but it appears to preserve the remains of a settlement in ancient and early medieval times. It was once inhabited by Ligurian peoples, such as the Apuanians who had founded the town of Luni. Once upon a time there was a manor Around the year 1000, Ponzano passed to the Este family, becoming a "castrum" with a fortress surrounded by walls, in which a gate with a drawbridge opened. Those who passed it found a chapel and a keep, while just below the castle there was a small inhabited village. Please don't think of it as a romantic place, though: due to its location, it had above all strategic and military significance.
Sea
Bay of San Fruttuoso

Bay of San Fruttuoso

The Bay of San Fruttuoso amid nature, sea and religion It's a small beach of white pebbles dominated by an ancient abbey, and all around is the dense Mediterranean scrub of Liguria. We are between Camogli and Portofino, on the Riviera di Levante. Emerald green waters mirror the vegetation amid the cliffs. The Bay of San Fruttuoso is tucked away in an impervious place, which has helped it to preserve its unspoilt beauty. A gem among the Ligurian Mountains Typically, one arrives at San Fruttuoso Bay by boat, embarking from nearby places or from Genoa. The moment you catch sight of the cove is marvellous. The water is crystal-clear, allowing glimpses of the pebbles, and gently laps the shore. The greenery behind shimmers; the abbey adds a sacred and solemn atmosphere to this sanctuary of nature. We are in the Portofino Regional Natural Park, in a protected marine area. Here, you can rent sunbeds and umbrellas while on the beach, or walk on the nearby rocks and linger. Take a dip, or make arrangements for snorkelling. The pleasures of the table and a special stay There is a small bar perched on the rocks, where a sunset aperitif is a marvellous experience. There is also a restaurant offering refreshments, which is open for lunch and dinner, right next to the church. Tables overlook the sea, enhancing the pleasure of a plate of trofie al pesto, the region's most famous recipe, or spaghetti with seafood. A few rooms allow you to stay for several nights, from May until October. The Abbey and the Monastery The difficult access, as well as the presence of a freshwater spring, made the site suitable for the foundation of a sacred building in the 8th century. The church and monastery have undergone a series of restorations since then, and today are owned by FAI, the Italian Environmental Fund. The complex is well worth a visit, especially the cloisters and the tombs of the Doria family, a very powerful Genoese lineage. Stop to admire the archaeological finds, then take a stroll through the tiny village. You will not find shops and boutiques, but only a handful of houses, in an authentic atmosphere. A statue anchored to the seabed The sea of San Fruttuoso Bay conceals a surprise in its depths: the Christ of the Abyss. 300 metres from the beach and 15 metres deep, the statue was laid, or rather sunk, in 1954. 2.50 metres high and the work of sculptor Guido Galletti, it depicts Christ with his arms pointing upwards. Diving to admire it up close is also suitable for those of average experience, given the shallow depth, but can only be undertaken under the supervision of certified guides. If you are an experienced swimmer, you can also swim there, but be careful of the boats navigating the sea. The water is crystal clear and the view is also clear even just from the surface. An alternative? Reaching the work of art by kayak or paddle-board. Scenic trekking San Fruttuoso Bay can also be reached via numerous paths, starting from San Rocco or Portofino, in about two hours. But you will fall in love with the landscape, set between mountains and sea, to the point that you will want to continue exploring. We are in Portofino Park, a protected area with 80 kilometres of trails, perfect for an amazing nature trek. As the coast opens up to you from above, revealing the intricate geography of gulfs, inlets, bays, harbours and promontories, you will wander through chestnut and olive trees, pine and holm-oak forests, orchards and citrus groves. Step by step, you will breathe in the clear air and the scent of heather, strawberry trees, mastic trees, euphorbia and myrtle. You are likely to encounter hedgehogs and squirrels that dwell peacefully here. If you decide to leave for Portofino, stop to visit the whole village. The small harbour is one of the most famous in the world and is teeming with luxurious yachts. You can follow them from the shore, sitting in one of the many elegant restaurants. Then head upwards, where the villas hidden among the greenery are legendary and the walk along the path between maritime pines and dry stone walls is a real pleasure. You can also walk to Camogli, a typical seaside village with colourful houses lining the beautiful, short promenade.
Region

A wealth of beauty between bays and historic towns

San Remo and the Riviera dei Fiori, the carruggi and the Aquarium in Genoa, the villages of the Cinque Terre, the beaches of the Golfo dei Poeti and the island of Palmaria, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: Liguria, with its varied ecosystem and spectacular beauty, is bound to win you over.

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