Liguria, Italy: resorts, reviews of tourists. Liguria and the Italian Riviera
Liguria is one of the most beautiful regions of Italy. The local climate is perfect for growing flowers, so every town in the province is literally strewn with colorful flower beds. The main decoration of local cities is exotic ornamental plants. Each settlement in the province looks like a huge fragrant garden. However, tourists are attracted not only magnificent nature local places, but also numerous architectural monuments, as well as luxurious beaches Italian Riviera.
Conditionally beach area divided into two honors - the eastern one is called the Riviera di Ponente, and the western Riviera di Ponente. The most popular beach resort is San Remo, which also bears the proud title of the capital of floriculture. The resort is the annual venue for the Italian Song Festival. Luxurious concert halls, fashionable hotels and casinos, as well as restaurants and clubs. In addition to numerous entertainment venues, V modern city many museums and art galleries. Among the most visited cultural institutions it is worth noting Museum of Local Lore and the Rambaldi Art Gallery. Among the historical sights, the ruins of the Madonna della Costa Sanctuary are distinguished, and the Alfred Nobel Villa, which today is a museum, is among the later architectural monuments.
The city of Imperia is rich in architectural sights. Here you can see Cathedral San Maurizio, which is the largest temple in the province, as well as beautiful palace Doria, built in the middle of the 16th century. Nature lovers will love the town of Portofino, in the vicinity of which there are extraordinarily beautiful olive groves, vineyards and palm thickets. Among the thickets of cypress, on one of high cliffs the medieval castle of San Giorgio is located, as well as old lighthouse. This place has been among the most visited for many years. For tourists, the lighthouse is equipped with viewing platforms from which you can enjoy an unforgettable view of the surroundings. Copyright www.site
Those who want to enjoy peace and quiet should go to the resort of Santa Margherita Ligure, whose guests are expected the cleanest beaches and rich excursion program. In Liguria, there is an ideal holiday destination for travelers with children, and for fans of gambling and nightlife.
Ligurian coast is the most popular recreation area for those who cannot imagine a vacation without beach activities. This resort region attractive for its mild climate, developed tourist infrastructure and variety of beaches. Very beautiful and well appointed sandy beaches located in Imperia and Savona, they are in demand among travelers with children. Those who prefer pebble beaches will find it more comfortable to relax in Genoa and La Spezia. The Riviera di Ponente region, in addition to well-maintained beaches, is famous for its variety of natural beauties. Beach holidays here can be successfully combined with hiking.
Some of the calmest and least crowded beach resorts are worth looking for in the Riviera di Levante area. Many local resorts a few decades ago were small fishing villages; foreign guests began to visit them quite recently. Today in this picturesque region there is one of the most prestigious resorts in the country, which is visited by famous movie stars and millionaires - Portofino.
On the territory of Liguria there are 8 unique national reserves, some of which are under the protection of UNESCO. The most famous is the Cinque Terre nature reserve, on the territory of which there are several beautiful old villages and picturesque resorts. Hiking remains the main entertainment for tourists, during which you can admire the natural beauties and get acquainted with the life of the indigenous population. On local resorts pebbly beaches predominate, many parts of the coast are available for recreation.
Masses are held in Liguria throughout the year interesting holidays and festivals, the traditional Flower Parade is held every year in San Remo. The main part of this festival is a solemn procession, during which platforms with compositions and sculptures made of fresh flowers pass through the city streets. Within the framework of the festival, a lot of interesting competitions and performances are held, as well as gastronomic entertainment.
A little background information in the region of Liguria:
Official name: Liguria
Provinces within the region: Genoa, Empire, Spice, Savona.
Square: 5.4 thousand sq. km.
Population: 1.8 million people
Liguria is administrative region, which is located on the picturesque coast of the Ligurian Sea. This reservoir is famous for its clear clean water and banks covered with small pebbles. This region of Italy borders on France and the Kingdom of Monaco. From here you can quickly get to the famous Nice, located in France. In the east of Liguria there is a large national park with the catchy name "Cinque Terre".
The region owes its name to the Ligures - the most ancient powerful pre-Indo-European people who inhabited the territory of almost all of modern Europe, but were later forced out by the Celtic tribes on the coast mediterranean sea. During the reign of the Romans, the Ligures dissolved among other peoples of the Mediterranean.
During the Middle Ages, Liguria was under the rule of the Genoese. The Republic of Genoa ruled the region until the end of the eighteenth century, only briefly losing Liguria to the Milanese and French rulers. In one thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven, Napoleon transforms the Genoese state into a protectorate of France, renaming it the Ligurian Republic, and eight years later finally annexes it to the French lands. In the fifteenth year of the nineteenth century, the territory of Liguria was briefly captured by the Kingdom of Sardinia.
Liguria is unique area where you can relax throughout the year. This was made possible thanks to the very favorable geographic location between the Mediterranean coast and the massif Alpine mountains. The climate in the area is very mild and pleasant, and the amount sunny days in these parts reaches three hundred a year. It is widely known that four out of five flowers sold in Italy were grown in Liguria. IN mountainous areas third Italian region you can meet whole slopes of mountains planted with olive trees.
On Italian soil The Riviera di Ponente is considered a natural continuation of the French Riviera known throughout Europe. It starts from the town of Ventimiglia, located on the border with France, and stretches all the way to Genoa. Spacious bays, as well as wide beaches with clean sand have long been calling card this part of the Riviera, as well as the beautiful smooth coastline. It is in these parts that the world-famous resort of San Remo is located, which is considered the capital of not only Italian song, but also floriculture. This town with more than two thousand years of history founded by the ancient Romans. One of the most notable architectural monuments of past eras is the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Costa, erected in the seventeenth century. San Remo became a fashionable resort in the second half of the nineteenth century. Especially for the needs of rather wealthy vacationers, a number of luxury hotels and a casino famous throughout the country were built in the city. Nowadays, San Remo is also famous for the annual Italian Song Festival, which has been held since the fifty-first year of the last century.
The city of Imperia, also located on the territory of the Riviera di Ponente, is known not only for its gorgeous beaches, but also for its attractions. It is here that the Cathedral of San Maurizio is located (in Italian it sounds like “Duomo di San Maurizio”), which is rightfully considered the largest temple in Liguria. Another architectural monument of the Empire is magnificent palace Doria ( Italian name- "Palazzo Doria"), in which one of the most famous admirals of Italy, the famous naval commander Andrea Doria, was born.
Riviera di Levante, known as East End Riviera of Italy, stretches from Genoa to the Gulf of La Spezia on the border with Tuscany. The magnificent hospitable local beaches and lush Mediterranean vegetation of this part of Liguria also adorn a huge number of attractions. The coast of the Riviera is strewn with small hospitable towns. For example, Portofino, located on the top of the cape of the same name, attracts tourists not only with picturesque views, but also old castle San Giorgio, as well as the majestic lighthouse, which opens great review. Very close to Portofino is Santa Margherita Ligure - beautiful resort on the Gulf of Tigullio. He is famous for his architectural monuments different eras.
The most luxurious resort in the Gulf of Tigullio is Rapallo. This city has long been a venue for various negotiations, symposiums and international conferences. Fans of historical monuments should visit the town of Sestri Levante. There are several famous churches throughout Italy, for example, the church of San Nicolò dell'Isola and the church of San Pietro in Vincoli. The famous Nobel laureate Guglielmo Marconi also made his very first experiments here.
Most popular? This direction is very popular among our tourists. Until recently, only tours went there. But in Lately more and more travelers go to the Riviera of Flowers on their own to spend their holidays there. What to see in this beautiful land besides the capital - charming Genoa? Which resort to choose? How to get there? Where to stay? What not to miss and what to try? We will try to answer all these questions in our article.
What is the Floral Riviera
Everyone knows Côte d'Azur, which translates as Azure coast. It stretches along the Gulf of Marseilles of the Mediterranean Sea. It is often referred to simply as the Riviera. Let's look at the map just to the east of it. Having overcome a small pass, and at the same time an unimportant now state border between France and Italy, we find ourselves in Liguria. This horseshoe region stretches from the Alps all the way to Tuscany. From the north it is bordered by low, but picturesque mountains, and from the south - the Gulf of Genoa. This location creates an excellent climate here. For juicy greenery, this coast is called the Flower Riviera. Administrative province Liguria (Italy), with the capital Genoa, stretches for 200 km. In turn, it is divided into two halves. To the west of Genoa and to the very French border is the Riviera di Ponente, and to the east the Riviera di Levante stretches to Tuscany.
Climate
If you arrived in Italy through or Turin, then you will be amazed at how different Liguria's landscapes are from its neighbors - Lombardy or Piedmont. The secret of difference is a ridge of mountains that reliably close the Flower Riviera from northern winds. And the sea in the south of Liguria refreshes the summer heat with a light breeze. Mountains bizarre rocks break off near the coast, creating countless secluded coves. There are both pebbly and sandy beaches. This circumstance, plus lush greenery, healing air, filled with the smell of pine needles and flowers, created fame for this place. tourist paradise. Even in the 19th century, European nobility came here. Yes, and now the place elite vacation considered to be Italy. Liguria, tours to which are becoming increasingly popular among Russians, is by no means cheap, but even here you can find "democratic" places - for example, Diano Marina.
How to get there
It is international and accepts both regular and charter flights. Rail transport in Italy is developed and quite cheap. Therefore, many travelers prefer to fly by low-cost airlines to Turin and Milan on their own in order to combine a beach holiday in Liguria (Italy) with educational excursions, mountain hikes or a relaxing pastime on the lakes of Garda, Como or Lago Maggiore. Along the entire coast, both a railway line and a number of excellent highways stretched. There is even a trolleybus service. You can rent a car, as well as use the services public transport- buses and trains. You can travel from one resort to another and by sea. It will be more expensive and longer, but you are guaranteed magnificent landscapes.
Hotels in Liguria, Italy
The choice of hotel depends only on what you expect from your holiday. Have you come exclusively to sunbathe and swim? Then choose one of the small resorts of the Riviera of Flowers: Arma di Taggia, Lerici, Pietra Ligure, Portovenere, San Lorenzo al Mare ... There are many hotels with private beach. Do you want chic? Then you are in San Remo, where you can often see Hollywood stars and oil tycoons. Do you want unity with nature? There is nothing better than choosing one of the five resorts of the Cinque Terre. For those who set the main goal to get acquainted with the rich cultural heritage of Italy, the city hotels and hostels of Genoa are suitable. There are many democratic hotels in Diano Marina, Alassio, Bordighera and other resorts. Do not discard the possibility of accommodation in apartments. They are equipped with a kitchen, which allows you to save on food. Very popular in Italy green tourism. It implies accommodation on a real peasant farm.
Beaches
As usual in places where mountains descend directly to the sea, the coast here is mostly pebbly. Many consider this a minus, as well as the fact that the beaches here are narrow (unlike the south of Italy or the Adriatic), and it is difficult to find a good place. But from Alassio to San Lorenzo al Mare, a wide strip of sand stretched. It is necessary to immediately warn independent travelers that (Liguria is no exception here) is associated with additional costs. The entrance to the coast is fenced and a fee is charged. This is very annoying for tourists who have been to Spain and France, where all the beaches are absolutely free. Separately, you need to fork out for the use of sunbeds and umbrellas. As a result, a tidy sum accumulates during the holidays. So if your goal is sun, air and water, choose a hotel with a private beach.
Kitchen
Even in the smallest resort of Liguria, having a bite to eat in a pizzeria, eating your fill in a trattoria or spending a romantic evening in a restaurant is not a problem. There are 175 establishments in Sanremo alone Catering! Liguria (Italy) is famous primarily for its fish cuisine. And this is not surprising: the sea has long fed the local people. Having learned to conquer fertile lands from the mountains, the Ligurians covered the slopes with the greenery of olive groves and vineyards. What is a must-try on the Riviera of Flowers? King local cuisine is a rabbit stewed in Vermentino white wine. Eateries serve delicious sardenaira stuffed with olives and sardines. Also a characteristic Ligurian dish is the "green pie" - this color it gets because of the greens mixed with rice, cheese and boiled eggs. Such pan-Italian dishes as farinata, focaccia and pesto acquire their own special taste here. The cuisine in Liguria is so wonderful that even edible souvenirs are brought from here. These wines are white Cinque Terre and ruby Rossese, pasta dyed with cuttlefish ink, the finest olive oil, hard cheese and ham.
Story
Liguria (Italy) is a tidbit of land, so wars have always been fought because of it. The history of this region is filled with dramatic events. All the rulers, from the ancient Romans to the Sardinian kings, left here interesting monuments architecture. These are ancient amphitheatres, and Renaissance palaces, and Romanesque churches, and gothic cathedrals. You will find especially many historical sights in the capital of the province - Genoa. The city is located around the sea like an amphitheatre. You can go upstairs by cable car or funicular. Villas built in Art Nouveau style are replaced below by majestic white palaces of the High Renaissance, and near the sea - by cheerful and noisy portside quarters.
Popular excursions
Proud white stone Genoa is not the only thing Liguria (Italy) can win the hearts of travelers. Reviews of tourists contain advice to tear off the frazzled body from the sunbed and go on an excursion. The choice of offers is very wide. It can be a whole day trip - for example, to Genoa with a visit to the Oceanarium there, to Nice (France), to Milan, to Monaco, Florence or Noli, which received the title of "the most beautiful small town in Italy." The cost of such an excursion is about 60 euros per person. But you can also decide on an independent outing to nearby towns. in Savona Art Gallery with a rich collection. The navy of the Roman Empire was once based in Albenga. In Allasio, on the embankment there is a “Roman Cafe”, where famous visitors left their paintings on the wall - Winston Churchill, Sophia Loren, Ernest Hemingway, Louis Armstrog and Charlie Chaplin. A small Portovenere is generally included in the UNESCO list.
Characteristics
When you drive through the flower-filled towns that Liguria (Italy) is famous for, you get the impression that they are subtly similar to each other. However, each of them has its own character, its own face. Nowhere are there so many ancient churches as in Rapallo. The medieval flavor has been preserved in Portofino, which is only twenty kilometers from Genoa. a little west of the capital province located Arenzano with wonderful pebble beaches. Celle Ligure is famous for its abundance of water activities, Santa Margherite Ligure is famous for spending weekends from Milan here. Families with small children should choose Pietre Ligure and Bordighera, and romantic natures - Sestri Levante and Lerici.
One of the largest and popular resorts The Ligurian coast is located 30 km southeast of Genoa. A city with more than a thousand years of history from a medieval outpost that protected the bay from pirates, by the middle of the 19th century turned into fashionable resort. From this article you will find out what is remarkable about Rapallo, what to see here and the easiest way to get to [...]
La Spezia, spread out on the shores of the bay of the same name, is the easternmost city of the Ligurian Riviera. The most picturesque bay is often called the Bay of Poets in memory of the great English romantic poets Byron and Shelley, who lived on its coast in the 20s of the 19th century. At different times, George Sand, David Herbert Lawrence, Alighieri Dante and other creative [...]
In the first part of the post, Blogoitaliano talked about the most interesting places in the west of the Ligurian Riviera. Today, along the Riviera di Levante, we will go to the east, where there are several more resorts worthy of special attention. 40 km from Genoa is located resort town Rapallo, the mention of which dates back to the X century. Rapallo Neat houses, ancient churches, picturesque nature and clean [...]
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Region of Liguria located in the northern part, along the coast of the Ligurian Sea. This is one of the smallest, but at the same time, one of the most economically developed and progressive regions of the country. In Europe he is known for his sand and pebble beaches, beautiful natural landscapes, rich historical and cultural heritage and large-scale international festivals held here every year and causing big interest with guests from all over the world.
Peculiarities
The main areas of activity in the region are tourism, the fishing industry, the construction industry, ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, and the production of olive oil. Despite its relatively small size, Liguria is considered the third region of Italy in terms of population density. The region includes 4 provinces: Genoa, Empire, La Spezia and Savona. Each of them consists of the capital of the same name and many small towns and settlements. The Ligurian coast abounds with excellent beach resorts, famous for excellent conditions for beach holidays and sports, comfortable hotels and an abundance of various tourist routes By historical places. In addition, there are 7 national parks, amazing with its natural beauties even experienced travelers.
general information
The territory of Liguria covers an area of about 5,500 square meters. km, with a population of just over 1.7 million people. At the same time, the density is 292 people per sq. km. km. The number of communes is limited to 235. Local time behind Moscow by 1 hour in summer and 2 in winter. Time zone UTC+1 and UTC+2 in summer time of the year. The official website of the region is www.regione.liguria.it.
A brief excursion into history
In the prehistoric era, the lands of Liguria were inhabited by the Ligurian tribes, from whom, in fact, the region got its name. In the Roman era, they underwent a process of assimilation and were forced to exist in conditions new civilization. The heyday of the region fell on the Middle Ages, during the reign of the Republic of Genoa, which lasted until 1796. At the time of Napoleon, it was annexed to France, and in 1815 it became part of the state of Sardinia-Piedmont. From the second half of the 19th century, Liguria became part of the united Italian kingdom. In the 20th century, the region rapidly developed, turning into a stable and economically stable region, which later became one of the most important cultural and tourist centers of Italy.
Climate
On climatic conditions localities are strongly influenced by majestic mountain ranges encircling the coast of Liguria. They protect her from cold winds and protect her from the scorching sun. So in the winter months average temperature the air temperature here is about +7 - +9 degrees, and in summer it rises to +26 - +28, while precipitation is infrequent and mainly occurs between November and March. The swimming season in the resorts begins in May and ends in October.
How to get there
Main international Airport The region is located in Genoa, but you can also get to different points of Liguria by landing in Milan, Turin or Rome.
Transport
All cities and resorts are interconnected by bus and rail links. In addition, almost everywhere there are car rental points, not to mention taxis and minibuses running between different regions. Along the coast, by sea, regular ferry transportation is carried out.
Major cities
The capital of Liguria is old City, spread out on the shores of the Genoa Bay, 120 km from Milan. In the Middle Ages, it had the status of a powerful city-state, and now it is considered the cultural and port center of the region, having a whole scattering of architectural sights. The medieval gates of Porta Soprano, in fact, serve as the hallmark of Genoa, and such grandiose structures like the Cathedral of St. Lawrence, the palaces of the Palazzi dei Rolli and the city theater Carlo Felice, have long become pride Northern Italy and a symbol of its cultural revival. The youngest city in the region is Imperia, which hosts almost best center aquatic species sports in the country. Province of La Spezia, apart from historical buildings and monuments of its main city, is famous for its picturesque marine reserve, national park and unique museum located on the territory of the monastery of San Francesco da Paola. The second largest city in the region, after Genoa, is Savona, where the parents of Christopher Columbus once lived. During the Second World War, most of the city's attractions were destroyed, but Savona quickly recovered, although it lost a significant part of its historical heritage.
Main resorts
Many people call the Ligurian coast only as the "Italian Riviera". The local shores are distinguished by a diverse relief, and sandy beaches alternately turn into pebble ones. The latter include the territories of the provinces of Genoa and La Spezia, and the sandy coating is characteristic of the resorts of Savoy and the Empire. One of the most popular resort areas is, smoothly transitioning from Italian to French territory. Among the most famous resorts respectable, charming Finale Ligure and the most beautiful Diano Marina stand out here. However, the true pride of the Riviera di Ponente is legendary, with its amazing beaches, bright colors and world-famous music festival. , stretching south of Genoa, has such resorts as Camogli, Portofino, Rapallo and Portovenere.
Attractions and entertainment
The main tourist centers of the region are Genoa, La Spezia, and Portofino. It is in these cities that the largest number tourists who come here to admire historical monuments, have fun and swim in the clear waters of the Ligurian Sea. Special attention of travelers is always awarded to the local National parks, among which deserves special attention, which has incredible natural beauty and has long been included in the UNESCO heritage list. Almost any of the cities of Liguria has some interesting places, so a journey along this edge is always accompanied by a mass positive emotions and vivid impressions.
In addition to rich excursion program, the region is famous for its celebrations and holidays. The beginning of each year is accompanied by the opening of the International flower market and the Flower Parade in Sanremo. It also hosts a major song festival, organized annually since 1951. No less popular musical holidays are the October Violin Competition in Genoa, held every 2 years, and the International Chamber Music Festival in Finale Ligure, held in August. Navigation fans are advised to visit the capital of the province of Imperia during the rally sailing ships Vele d "Epoca or visit the International Navigation Salon in Genoa. For culinary gourmets, a holiday dedicated to traditional dish- "Sagra del Bagnum", celebrated every 3rd weekend in the village of Riva Trigoso and accompanied not only by tasting local dishes, but also by colorful fireworks. Similar events are held in many districts of the region and invariably gather a large number of people.
Kitchen
In restaurants, cafes and other culinary establishments of Liguria, guests are offered the widest selection of dishes for every taste, including fish and seafood, aromatic herbs and spices, olive oil and pine nuts, juicy tomatoes and artichokes, mushrooms and a variety of pastries. It is also recommended to try the bread with all kinds of cheese and garlic variations. The most popular drinks are Limoncino lemon liqueur, Arancino orange liqueur, and Basilico basil liqueur.
shopping
For mass shopping and buying souvenirs, in Liguria, the best option appears to be Genoa. Swap meet at Piazzetta Lavagna, the antique market at Palazzo Ducale and Lungomare di Genova Pegli, Outlet Baby Kids Sestri, Euro Outlet and Diffusione Tessile are open daily to visitors and offer an impressive range of products. In San Remo and La Spezia, there are also numerous clothing and food markets where you can buy almost everything, from high-quality Italian shoes to unique handicrafts made of ceramics and porcelain.
In terms of the number of tourists visiting the region annually, Liguria is slightly inferior to the southern and central parts, having an abundance of outstanding architectural structures, gorgeous beaches and excellent infrastructure. Rest in this part of the country involves a fascinating acquaintance with its nature, culture and national traditions, which makes it possible to feel the atmosphere of these colorful and picturesque places, appreciating Italy from the most favorable angles.
