Highlights

Liguria, almost entirely mountainous or hilly, mainly devotes its agriculture to cultivating olive trees, which produce the precious Ligurian oil. The main produce is vegetables and herbs that arise spontaneously, as the Genovese basil, rosemary and thyme, along with fish, form the basis of Ligurian cuisine, identified by many as the true Mediterranean diet.

Wine areas, even if they are restricted, have been cultivated in fine vineyards for centuries, especially in the Sestri Levante and Tigullio areas, where they produce internationally famous wines like the Golfo del Tigullio-Portofino Vermentino and Riviera Ligure Ponente Sciac-Trac.

Typical Dishes

Farinata Panissa;Trofie con pesto; Focaccia di Recco; Coniglio alla ligure; zuppa di pesce; Pandolce Genovese; Bugie; Baci di Alassio.

Local Wines

Cinque Terre, Golfo del Tigullio Bianchetta Genovese, Golfo del Tigullio Ciliegiolo, Lumassina, Il Bianco di Coronata.

Cinque Terre and Liguria

Liguria is a beautiful crescent-shaped location in northwest Italy. Its Mediterranean coastline is known as the Italian Riviera. Liguria is north-western Italy’s coastal region boasting beautiful beaches, picturesque towns and fantastic cuisine; guess what, Italy’s world famous pesto sauce originally hails from here!

This magnificent coastal area is popular with tourists for its beaches, towns and a string of glamorous resorts like Portofino and Cinque Terre and picturesque fishing villages like Camogli.

Liguria is the original source of pesto, one of the most popular sauces in Italian cuisine. Their simple ingredients is the very essence of the Mediterranean diet with abundant seafood, fresh fruit and vegetables especially beans are important in Ligurian cooking, and delicate olive oil. Fresh-grown herbs are used with fish, meat, pasta and, most famously, in pesto Genovese.

Tours and Activities

Cinque Terre

Come experience Cinque Terre a string of centuries-old seaside villages on the rugged Italian Riviera. Departure from your hotel for Manarola an enchanting village with its typical tiny fishermen’s wharf. After visiting the village, we can take a walk along the “La Via dell’Amore” (the “Love Path”), a pedestrian itinerary carved into steep rocks falling sheer into the sea and distinguished by a typical Mediterranean scenery, deep scents of plants and herbs.

We will arrive at Riomaggiore the oldest village in the Cinque Terre, and then transfer by boat to Vernazza. You can have a free lunch and visit of the interesting and picturesque village gathered around its small harbor.

Then we reach Monterosso by boat, the westernmost village which is protected by hills covered with vineyards and olive groves, Monterosso is popularly renowned for its steep rugged cliffs, beautiful beaches, and crystal-clear waters, which make this one of the most charming resorts on the Ligurian Riviera.

Portovenere

Porto Venere is a town and commune located on the Ligurian coast of Italy in the province of La Spezia. You can take a tour of the Gulf of Poets’ Isles (Palmaria – Tino – Tinetto) for a Full day.

We depart from Lerici Portovenere, La Spezia and Cinque Terre hotels by minivan or coach from your hotel for Portovenere.

Upon arrival we will visit the borough getting on board the ferry boat and take a tour of the Isles of the Poets’ Gulf.

With a 50 minute ferry tour, you will get the chance to admire the beautiful high coast on the southern side of the Palmaria Isle, where the graceful Royal Seagull builds its nests, rich in grottoes and little natural bays.

From the sea you will be offered a view of its interesting monastery of San Venerio, preserving an exceptionally intact vegetation, whereas the little rocky isle of Tinetto shows the medieval ruins of a medieval structure.

Portofino Bay

Portofino is a fishing village on the Italian Riviera coastline, southeast of Genoa city. Pastel-colored houses, high-end boutiques and seafood restaurants fringe its Piazzetta, a small cobbled square overlooking the harbor, which is lined with super-yachts. We depart from Lerici Portovenere, La Spezia and Cinque Terre hotels via minivan or coach from your hotel to Camogli, a fascinating sea borough with a little picturesque harbor. Relive this encounter with our professional guide. Next we leave by boat to S.Fruttuoso where we gain entrance and visit the XI century Abbey, founded by Andrea Doria and renowned for the tombs of the Doria noble Genoese family. There will be adequate time at your disposal for the visit.

Departure is by boat to Portofino, internationally known a holiday resort, located in a charming and suggestive little bay. Here also you will have more than enough time at your disposal for the visit plus a free lunch. Then we get transferred by boat to Santa Margherita or Rapallo renowned for sea holiday resorts with fascinating sea promenade. Finally we get to head back to your hotel by minivan or coach.

Genoa

Genoa, the capital of Liguria, is a very lively, dynamic and modern city, located at the center of its gulf, it is one of the most important harbors in Italy and in the Mediterranean Sea. Genoa was a renowned Sea republic in the 8th century together with Pisa, Venice and Amalfi, and owned illustrious colonies in the Eastern Countries, it was appointed as the ”European City of Culture” in 2004.

Departure by car or minivan or coach at 8.30 a.m. from your Hotel to Genoa, fascinating town of ancient traditions, where the sea has always played the main role. Arrival and city sightseeing will last until about 01:00 p.m. with an English-speaking guide. The guided tour through the ancient center will unmask for you precious art treasures hidden in the net of typical lanes called Carruggi, beautifully decorated ancient palaces, museums, churches and shops. While visiting you will get acquainted with all essential key-points, necessary to effectively comprehend the fascinating history of this prosperous town, famous throughout the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque periods.

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