Liguria

Liguria is home to the spectacular stretch of coast from the French border to Tuscany, known as the Italian Riviera. Renowned for its wonderful mild climate, superb cuisine - Italy’s world famous pesto sauce hails from this region and bewitchingly beautiful fishing villages that cling to the hillsides, this is one of Italy’s most famous regions. You may not recognise the name Liguria, but you will know the names of its most famous places….

Portofino is possibly Italy’s most fashionable resort. Both a holiday destination and often home to the rich and famous over the years, the likes of Richard Burton and Liz Taylor, Rita Hayworth, Robert De Niro, Rod Stewart, George Clooney and Madonna have all either spent time here or own their own piece of paradise. With its picture perfect harbour, central piazza, which is ideal for al fresco dining and quaint multi-coloured houses, Portofino maintains its character and charm, despite its worldwide fame. Rapallo, once a favourite haunt of writers and poets due to its sheer inspirational beauty is now a larger resort with numerous attractions, such as the cable car to Santuario di Montallegro, where the views will take your breath away. Santa Margherita is a wonderfully old fashioned resort which harks back to the halcyon days of travel.

The UNESCO World Heritage site of Cinque Terre is set on one of the worlds most dramatic coasts. The five fishing villages of Cinque Terre with their coloured houses seem to cling impossibly to the steeply terraced cliffs. Dating back to the early medieval period, the castles & parish churches are dotted across this amazing landscapes, where winding paths cross the hillside at what appear to be impossible angles and the 19th century railway line cuts through the hillside in a series of coastal tunnels. This magical place is a must visit/see for everyone, there are few places like it in the world and it will leave a series of lasting images and memories for those who take the time to explore this stunning part of Italy.

San Remo is a famous seaside resort near to the French border. As one of the first tourist resorts to be established on the Italian Riviera, it quickly became a popular place for the rich and famous and has continued to be a ‘place to be seen’ right up to today. The famous Art Nouveau casino is still the centre of the towns social life and do not be surprised to rub shoulders with some of the international jet set if you try your hand at roulette or blackjack. The town is combination of the modern area with its beautiful seafront hotels, designer boutiques and tree lined promenades, whilst the old town with its steep streets and quaint squares is typical of this part of Italy.

Genoa is the capital of Liguria and the point from which most people will start their journey through this amazing region. Genoa is a working city-port with a maritime past dating back centuries. It is today the busiest port in all of Italy and the Mediterranean sea. The historical centre known as the old town is a maze of alleyways with stunning examples of medieval and renaissance architecture at every turn, whilst the once run down port area has been completely renovated and is now home to Europe’s largest aquarium, a fabulous maritime museum and some wonderful restaurants and bars.

Ligurian cuisine is a sumptuous combination of superb seafood, fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh herbs and the world famous, delicate olive oil of Liguria, a favourite amongst chefs from around the world. The most famous combination of this beautiful olive oil and fresh herbs is pesto genovese, which is served with many pasta dishes and stirred into the famous minestrone soup. 

Liguria has so much to offer its visitors, that it really is a holiday in its own right. The history, culture, cuisine and stunning natural beauty are rivalled by few places in the world, so let us organise the perfect itinerary so as you to can experience all that this wonderful place has to offer.