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- Region
Liguria is the smallest of the regions in Italy, situated in the northwest of the country with its neighbours being France on the west, Piedmont in the north, Emilia Romagna to the east and Tuscany in the south. Liguria is known as land to love meaning it offers something for every taste bud, from tasting beautiful flavoursome food and wines to festivals and shows outdoors! This region attracts thousands of visitors each year from all over Europe boasting a stunning mountainous landscape that offers some superb hillside walks and panoramic views and is often referred to as the "Italian Riviera". Genoa is the capital of this region, which is situated in the very heart of Liguria and both famously known for having milder weather in the winter.
Liguria is separated into two regions; Riviera di Ponente, which can be found in the west, and Riviera di Levant, which can be found in the east. It is also home to much known and loved area of Portofino, which has its own repeat clientele each summer.
- Provinces
Genoa:
Genoa can be found between the Ligurian Sea and the Apennine Mountains offering its visitors abundance of things to do and see during your stay here. This is a province rich in commercial and agricultural trade with a port that is a favourite for cruise ships to stop so clients can glance at the Aquariam and museum of the sea.
The port was redesigned and modernized in 1992 by Renzo Piano which in turn has encouraged tourists to visit and return year upon year. Genoa is also the proud location for Europes largest Medieval town, one that offers endless culture and historical artifacts for all to see.
Officially Genoa was first born in the 3rd century BC and was originally a Roman port, however throughout the years has adapted and evolved under many rulings to become the beauty that can be seen today. Genoa has no shortage of things to do and see including museums such as the museum of the sea, which is a 10,000-meter display giving visitors a real taste into the ports history and how it has evolved. Amongst of such wonderful sites Genoa is home to the Palazzo Bianco Gallery, the San Lorenzo Cathedral or why not take a trip to see the buildings at Strada Nuova which was once the residencial area for the wealthier families of the area.
Imperia:
Imperia's neighbours are Savona, which can be found in the west, and Piedmonte in the north. This province is a mass of hills and stunning scenery, which also offers the more inquisitive visitor a peak at the prehistoric caves near the French border.
Imperia have hosted an abundance of well known and loved famous artists such as Monet and royals such as Queen Margaret of Savoy. A province known as the Riviera dei Fiori meaning the Riviera of Flowers and flowers are one of the biggest sources of income outside the wonderful variety of Pastas, Olive oils and olives produced here. The main income however comes mainly from its tourism and the locals here offer visitors a welcome, friendly environment as well as being absolutely superb hosts! During a trip to this fine-looking province, a visit to the Cathderal of San Maurizio which is Ligurias largest church
La Spezia:
La Spezia is a relatively small province and can be found nestled between Genoa and Pisa on the Ligurian Sea. This province although having a smaller population is home to one of the largest military industries in Italy.
La Spezia has incredible Mediterranean weather throughout the summer and benefits from generally having mild winters. A very easily accessible province however is a lot more up and coming with tourists and is a widely recognized naval area offering the Navy enthusiast some insight into Naval history by visiting the Museum Tecnico Navale.
La Spezia offers magnificent views towards the Apuan Alps as well as the popular promenade of Via del Prione, which has a plethora of boutique shops, ice cream parlours and pizzerias.
Savona:
Savona can be found on the Riviera di Ponente, southwest of Genoa. This province is very much a practical city that has had to be reconstructed due to it being nearly destroyed in World War II.
This is a city widely under rated because amongst the heavy agricultural infrastructure and working port lies a quaint Medieval centre which during the high season offers a plethora of stalls and antiques to peruse whilst tasting the local ice cream.
Savona is famous for the Citta dei Papo meaning City of Popes as it was home to Francesco Della Rovere who then went onto to be Pope Sixtus IV and had a chapel built within the Vatican which was named the Sistine Chapel and then his nephew Pope Julius II had Michelangelo enhance the chapel to further beauty. This remarkable and unusual city had a very famous inhabitant for much of his childhood and had an airport named after him, known other than Christoper Columbus himself who lived there with his father!
- Culture
Liguria is steeped in history and ancient remains as well beautiful churches and galleries such as Artrè Galleria d Arte in Genova. It was once described by Ippolito Nievo as a smaller version of the universe because of the diverse creative landscape.
Liguria's name originally came from its pre-Roman population: the Ligurians. It was taken over by the Romans in the 1st Century shortly behind the Lombard and Frankish rule.
In 1400 Genoa dominated the region and in turn became the main commercial authority in Europe. Genoa kept this status until 1796 when Napoleon Bonaparte (of France) took hold of it. In 1815 Liguria was given the Kingdom of Piedmonte-Sardinia and played a major key part in the movement for Italian independence in 1860.
- Activities
There is no shortage of things to do in this region, which offers the Golf fanatic a haven to relax, enjoy the clean air and be surrounded by the sounds of the ocean crashing against the rocks. To name a handful of the courses available, two of the better-known courses are Tarvisio Golf & Country Club and Golf & Country Gorizia both with astonishing atmospheric settings and panoramic views.
For those who love to splash in the sea there are some stunning beaches in Lignaro which also more of a family orientated resort with beach lidos, volleyball, baby sitting services, bars and spa facilities.
Liguria is a retreat simply offering everything that caters for all ages. For those who are devoted to being active or keeping fit then there are plenty of marvelous walks to take advantage of as well as horse riding, rock climbing and quad biking.
- Travel
By Plane:
Liguria is extremely easy to access from all over the world:
- Ryanair fly from Stansted to Genoa and Stansted, Bournemouth, Glasgow, Liverpool and Dublin to Pisa.
- British Airways fly from Gatwick to Pisa and Birmingham, Manchester and Heathrow to Nice. Then take a local train to Ventimiglia next to the Italian border then catch a train into Liguria.
- Easyjet fly from Bristol to Pisa then you can take a train to Liguria or take a local flight. Easyjet also operates from Gawick, Luton, Stansted, Bristol, Liverpool, Newcastle and Belfast to Nice where you can take a local train to Ventimiglia next to the Italian border then catch a train into Liguria.
- Thomson fly from Bournemouth, Coventry and Doncaster to Pisa then you can take a train to Liguria or take a local flight.
- BMI fly from Heathrow, Leeds, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Manchester, Dublin and Belfast to Nice where you can take a local train to Ventimiglia next to the Italian border then catch a train into Liguria.
- Aerlingus fly from Cork and Dublin to Nice where you can take a local train to Ventimiglia next to the Italian border then catch a train into Liguria.
From outside of the UK you can find flights from the USA and Canada using; Delta Airways, Air Canada, Alitalia, Air France and Lufthansa.
- Weather
5-Day Forecast
Now
25°C
Sat
27°C
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27°C
Mon
26°C
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25°C
