Liguria Review
|
Liguria Review is a guide the Italian north-western coastal region of Liguria, sometimes referred to as the Italian Riviera.
The aim of the site is to point visitors in the direction of the best places to visit, provide useful travel information and cultural insight. I've personally visited every town that's featured on the site and all of the photos and descriptions are my own. Despite being relatively small in size compared to the other 19 official regions of Italy, Liguria has an enviable array of riches waiting to be discovered. Among its treasures are the famous Cinque Terre - the five fishing villages of Vernazza, Manarola, Riomaggiore, Corniglia and Monterosso al Mare. The five villages offer some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country and can be enjoyed on foot with a series of hiking trails linking them up. The Ligurian coast is split into two halves known as the Riviera di Levante and the Riviera di Ponente, named after the east (levante) and west (ponente) winds. |
|
The roll-call of seaside towns on the Riviera di Levante offers up some of the most evocative locations in Europe with the likes of Portofino and Portovenere, along with a whole host of Italian favourites such as Rapallo, Sestri Levante, Camogli, Levanto and Santa Margherita Ligure to name just a few.
The two rivieras are split by the region's capital: Genoa. Once a mighty maritime republic, it is still an important commercial and trading port. The historic centre contains a series of UNESCO World Heritage sites while to either side of the city centre you'll find some gorgeous little bays such including Nervi and Boccadasse.
Beyond Genoa lies the Riviera di Ponente which stretches all the way to the border with France. Head east from the border town of Ventimiglia and you'll find major resorts like Sanremo, Alassio and Finale Ligure while a personal favourite of mine is Laigueglia. Also not to be missed is the historic town of Albenga with its remarkable medieval centre that still functions in the same way as it has for hundreds of years. Further historical towns include Chiavari which lies back down on the Riviera di Levante, and Sarzana which is close to the regional border with neighbouring Tuscany.
Liguria is first and foremost a coastal region but there are further treasures to be found inland. Leave the coastal plains and you invariably find yourself on a steep, winding road that takes you up into the cooler mountain areas. Among the best of those hill towns are the likes of Vezzano Ligure, Apricale and Triora, each perched in awkward-looking hillside locations but offering fascinating village centres.
The name "Liguria" isn't one that usually rolls off the tongue of foreign visitors who are perhaps more familiar with the "Italian Riviera" moniker, but this is a region whose name should be on the lips of anyone planning a summer holiday to Italy. Aside from the places I've mentioned above, there are dozens of other gorgeous seaside towns where the sea is crystalline blue. Along with the sparkling colours emanating from the Ligurian Sea are the brightly-coloured buildings which are are part of the architectural fabric of the region and set it apart from most others.
I would urge anyone who's unfamiliar with Liguria to peel back the lid and see what the region has to offer. If you do decide to visit then I sincerely hope you find Liguria Review to be a useful resource for planning your trip but that above all, you have a great time and take some wonderful memories home with you.
Dion Protani: founder of Liguria Review.
The two rivieras are split by the region's capital: Genoa. Once a mighty maritime republic, it is still an important commercial and trading port. The historic centre contains a series of UNESCO World Heritage sites while to either side of the city centre you'll find some gorgeous little bays such including Nervi and Boccadasse.
Beyond Genoa lies the Riviera di Ponente which stretches all the way to the border with France. Head east from the border town of Ventimiglia and you'll find major resorts like Sanremo, Alassio and Finale Ligure while a personal favourite of mine is Laigueglia. Also not to be missed is the historic town of Albenga with its remarkable medieval centre that still functions in the same way as it has for hundreds of years. Further historical towns include Chiavari which lies back down on the Riviera di Levante, and Sarzana which is close to the regional border with neighbouring Tuscany.
Liguria is first and foremost a coastal region but there are further treasures to be found inland. Leave the coastal plains and you invariably find yourself on a steep, winding road that takes you up into the cooler mountain areas. Among the best of those hill towns are the likes of Vezzano Ligure, Apricale and Triora, each perched in awkward-looking hillside locations but offering fascinating village centres.
The name "Liguria" isn't one that usually rolls off the tongue of foreign visitors who are perhaps more familiar with the "Italian Riviera" moniker, but this is a region whose name should be on the lips of anyone planning a summer holiday to Italy. Aside from the places I've mentioned above, there are dozens of other gorgeous seaside towns where the sea is crystalline blue. Along with the sparkling colours emanating from the Ligurian Sea are the brightly-coloured buildings which are are part of the architectural fabric of the region and set it apart from most others.
I would urge anyone who's unfamiliar with Liguria to peel back the lid and see what the region has to offer. If you do decide to visit then I sincerely hope you find Liguria Review to be a useful resource for planning your trip but that above all, you have a great time and take some wonderful memories home with you.
Dion Protani: founder of Liguria Review.
Liguria Highlights
Liguria In - FocusThe city of Savona is the capital city of the Province of Savona with a population of 60,442 inhabitants.
Situated on the Riviera di Ponente, it covers a total area of 65 km² and lies 51 km south west of Genoa, the capital of Liguria. The main sights of Savona are all located within a short distance of each other and include the beautiful port area, the famous clock tower known as La Torretta, the Fortezza di Priamar with its museums and the Duomo (Cattedrale dell'Assunta). |
Savona
|
From the port area you can see everything without having to walk too far. A good starting point, indeed a popular meeting point for locals is La Torretta: a distinctive clock tower that stands guard over the port. From there you can cross a pedestrian bridge into the main area of the port. This modern area is full of places to eat, drink and generally just enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of this attractive city.
Making your way round from the port you can check out the Duomo with its own Sistine Chapel and just a short walk from there is the imposing Fortezza di Priamar, an old fortress overlooking the city which is now home to various museums. Savona is also well-equipped with shops; not that you have to worry about it too much in Liguria but the main shopping streets are under beautiful porticoes so even when it does rain you won't get wet.
The main train station in the city is a 15 minute walk inland from the harbour area. Trains run in both directions along the coast with notable destinations including Genoa (46 minutes) and Sanremo in just under an hour.
By car you can reach Genoa in 1 hour (57 km) or the fellow provincial capitals of Imperia in 54 minutes (70 km) and La Spezia in two hours and eight minutes, a journey of 155 kilometres.
The most convenient airport for Savona is Genoa Christopher Columbus Airport which is 53 minutes away by car, a distance of 44 kilometres.
Making your way round from the port you can check out the Duomo with its own Sistine Chapel and just a short walk from there is the imposing Fortezza di Priamar, an old fortress overlooking the city which is now home to various museums. Savona is also well-equipped with shops; not that you have to worry about it too much in Liguria but the main shopping streets are under beautiful porticoes so even when it does rain you won't get wet.
The main train station in the city is a 15 minute walk inland from the harbour area. Trains run in both directions along the coast with notable destinations including Genoa (46 minutes) and Sanremo in just under an hour.
By car you can reach Genoa in 1 hour (57 km) or the fellow provincial capitals of Imperia in 54 minutes (70 km) and La Spezia in two hours and eight minutes, a journey of 155 kilometres.
The most convenient airport for Savona is Genoa Christopher Columbus Airport which is 53 minutes away by car, a distance of 44 kilometres.
THINGS TO SEE IN LIGURIA
In this section you'll find the very best things to see in Liguria. Among the highlights are the incredible villages of the Cinque Terre, the historic city of Genoa and a whole host of Seaside Towns.
|
LIGURIA ACCOMMODATIONIn the Liguria accommodation section you'll find a live search engine where you can choose from thousands of Liguria Hotels as well as general advice on what options are available to visitors.
|
|
|
