The Italian Riviera is a stretch of coastline along the Ligurian sea from the Italian-French border to the Tuscany border. Popular destinations include Lsa Spezia, Sanremo, Genoa, Portofino, Sestri Levante, and of course, the incredibly popular Cinque Terre. Beauty can be found on just about every inch of this coast, but what makes it so fascinating is that every town is unique and characteristic, with an enchanting mix of history, pristine beaches, panoramic views, vibrantly colored homes and fairytale-like sceneries.
Italian Riveria
Cinque Terre
Experience the old charm of Italy in Cinque Terre ( ‘Five Lands’), a collection of five small fishing villages, Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore, sitting on the coast of the glorious Mediterranean Sea. Take in the scent of the sea, admire the harmony of brightly painted houses perch right over the ocean on rugged cliffs, the steep sloped terraces of vineyards and lemon trees. Cinque Terre is arguably one of the most beautiful village in Italy.
The old-world allure is what primarily draws visitors here. The traditional villages surrounded by the tightly-packed lanes, small archways, labyrinth alleyways and if it’s sunny, you can be sure that local will have their laundry on display…full of atmosphere! The five villages are linked only by mule tracks and accessible only by rail or water.
The Cinque Terre national park has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997.
Genoa
A handsome port on the Ligurian Gulf, is Italy's busiest sea port, home to the famous navigator, Christopher Columbus . It has a very interesting historic centre with numerous UNESCO world heritage listed palaces, religious monuments and plenty of maritime history to discover. The lighthouse, is the world's third oldest and still in operation. This is a place where the traditional and the modern combine to create a totally unique city to visit.
Le Strade Nuove and the system of the Palazzi dei Rolli UNESCO World Heritage Site
Le Strade Nuove and the system of the Palazzi dei Rolli is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2006, which includes a number of streets and 42 palaces in the center of Genoa. Le Strade Nuove, also known as Via Garibaldi, is lined with splendour palaces from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century, built for most powerful and rich Genoese families during the Golden Age. “Rolli” contained a list of private palaces that the noble Genoese families used to received many important international guests.
Not all palaces are open for visit, but is still worth walking down the luxurious street. Admire sumptuous palaces with lovely courtyards, loggias, painted embellishments, decorated frescos and ornate plaster work. Every entrances are crowned by crests of noble families, recall a past golden age. You'll see something worth remembering with a photo at every turn.
Genoa old town
The old town has all the charm of a typical of Italian medieval towns, with medieval buildings, narrow cobber streets, and piazzas lined with shops, bars and restaurants. Walk through the historic center's ancient streets, known as 'carruggi',
undoubtedly you will get lost for a while but don't worry, no matter where this exploration takes you, you will find your way back to the cathedral and the port.
The Aquarium
The Aquarium is the main tourist attraction of Genoa. It opened in 1992 in the ancient port, and it is the largest Italian aquarium and the second in Europe, after the one of Valencia.
Piazza de Ferrari
The hub of Genoa, flanked by numerous stylish restaurants and inviting shops, where locals and tourists mingle. In the middle is the splashing circular fountain surrounded by grand buildings for you to gaze upon , and busy streets radiating from it in all directions. A perfect spot for a touristic photo session!
San Lorenzo Cathedral
Walk into the dramatic Cathedral of San Lorenzo, built originally as a Romanesque basilica in the 1100s, remodeled in Gothic style in 1307, and finished off with a Renaissance dome in 1557. Inside the Cathedral, the large 15th-century Cappella San Giovanni Battista is the earliest example of Renaissance architecture in Genoa, built to hold the remains of St. John the Baptist. Under the cathedral you can visit the Museum of the Treasury, which displays a valuable collection of historical silverware and jewelry
La Spezia
La Spezia is a port city, not only serve as "gateway to the Cinque Terre" but it is also a hub for travel to so many of today's top attractions in Liguria and Tuscany. Aside from its commercial port activities, La Spezia is also a major military hub and most of the Italian Navy is based here. As an important port on the west coast of Italy, La Spezia has a beautiful waterfront . A nice stroll along the Passeggiata Costantino Morin , lined with palm trees and offers fantastic scenery of the harbour. A walk along the elegant Ponte Thaon di Revel bridge, that connects the public gardens to the yatch harbor of Porto Mirabello, offers splendid views along the way. The streets in the historical centre of La Spezia are placed on different altitudes which means lots of stairs and free exercise. Via del Prione the main street of La Spezia, it’s also a great place to hunt for historic traces.