Living It Up in Liguria and the Italian Riviera
For more than a century, international travelers have
recognized the warmth and beauty of Italy's famed
Liguria region and the magnificent Italian Riviera. Long
the place where the rich and famous would gather to
enjoy warm water, wide sandy beaches, and posh resorts,
the heyday of some towns in the Italian Riviera has
passed but the area still maintains a certain upscale
atmosphere that beckons discriminating travelers to come
and explore.
Liguria is located in the northern portion of Italy,
between the French Riviera,Piemonte,
and Tuscany. The weather in the Liguria region is nearly
always nice and can best be described as balmy. Thanks
to its location, it's protected from most nasty weather
by the mountains of the Alpine range. The average
summertime temperature is a comfortable 77 degrees
fahrenheit and in the winter, it rarely dips below
around 50 degrees. The sun is abundant and the
vegetation is lush. That's why, for decades, it's been
attracting the rich and famous who come to play in San
Remo's famed casino, enjoy the harbor at Portofino, or
explore quaint seaside towns like Camogli and Rapallo.
Liguria is generally divided into two areas or coasts.
West of Genoa is
where you'll find traditional wide, sandy beaches and
the resorts that make it a much-visited vacation spot.
This area is known as Riviera di Ponente or Shore of the
Setting Sun. Stretching all the way to the French
Riviera, this side of Liguria boasts towns such as
turn-of-the-century Bordighera, with its beautiful
seaside promenade; the famed resort of San Remo; the
medieval town of Masone; pretty Alassio with its 2-mile
long beach; and the hill town of Sassello.
On the eastern side of Genoa is Riviera di Levante,
Shore of the Rising Sun. The towns here are less
developed, the coast more rugged. You won't find the
huge resorts on this side of Genoa, but what you will
find are some of Italy's most charming small towns, all
lined up within just a few miles of each other and eager
to welcome visitors. Head for little Portofino, perfect
for those who require a little glitz with their
vacation, or if you're looking for something less
pretentious, travel just
a few miles to pretty Santa Margherita Ligure, a
charming town that was once a well-known retreat but is
now quiet, boasting a pristine beach and lots of
friendly locals.
If you're a city person, however, and you're visiting
the Italian Riviera, don't miss an opportunity to spend
some time in Genoa, one of Italy's least-visited cities
but definitely worth a stop. Quite a historic city,
Genoa's history can be traced back to the Etruscans of
the 5th century BC and the city is simply full of
wonderful archeological and architectural gems.
The most visited sight in Genoa is probably The Palace
of the Doges, dating from the 13th century (not to be
confused with the one in Venice). Other must sees
include the magnificent Cathedral of St. Lawrence (Cattedrale
di San Lorenzo); the Old Harbor area; the Museo d'Arte
Oriental with its excellent collection of Oriental art;
and the fun and educational Aquarium of Genoa, one of
the largest in Europe. You'll also want to take a stroll
down the Via Garibaldi. This street, lined with palaces,
is a fascinating World Heritage Site.
No matter where you go in Italy, you'll want to be sure
to taste the local food. Liguria is no exception.
Seafood, of course, is quite popular, given the region's
location, so expect most restaurants to have an
excellent selection including fish that was just plucked
from the sea hours before dinner is served. The produce
in Liguria is equally as tantalizing and - like the
seafood - you'll often find fruit or vegetables on your
plate that were picked that very same day. Be sure to
try the orata, a tasty local fish, usually cooked with
olives and potatoes; or the gattafin, pasta stuffed with
beetroot, onion and parmesan. Liguria is also the
birthplace of pesto sauce so remember to order a dish
that includes this popular topping.
About the author:
Dominic Siano is president of Tour Italy
Now (http://www.touritalynow.com), the
largest online travel tour operator. A lover of all
things Italian, Dominic has worked extensively in the
Italian tourism industry. To learn more about Dominic
visit his blog at http://www.domsiano.com.
