Also known as the Italian Riviera, the beautiful winding stretch of the Ligurian coast from the French border to Tuscany has long been famed for its gloriously mild climate, its luxurious vegetation and its abundance of picturesque fishing villages, whilst Piedmont boasts a treasure of culture, art and natural beauty.
Liguria, or the Italian Riviera, is north-western Italy’s coastal region boasting beautiful beaches, picturesque towns and fantastic food: Italy’s world famous pesto sauce hails originally from here!
Portofino with its delightful harbour, central piazza perfect for al fresco dining and quaint multi-coloured houses is one of Italy’s premier resorts: managing to retain picturesque charm despite its popularity with jet-setters. Holidays to Portofino are a superb retreat, located around the harbour this Italian fishing visit is ideal for luxury Liguria holidays.
Rapallo, formerly a favoured haunt of poets and writers, is a larger resort boasting a number of attractions including a cable car to Santuario di Montallegro proffering stunning views, and Santa Margherita is a wonderfully old-fashioned Riviera resort: its esplanade perfect for day strolls and evening promenades. Rapollo is a premier choice of destination for holidays in Liguria, with grand hotels and stunning views it is a perfect holiday location for all discerning travellers.
Piedmont
North of Liguria and situated at the very heart of Europe on the north-western border of Italy, Piedmont boasts a treasure chest of art, culture and natural beauty. Famed for its gastronomy, including white truffles from Alba, and the king of wines, Barolo, the region is surrounded by some of the highest mountains in Europe and crossed by Italy’s longest river, the Po.
San Remo
Close to the French border the famous 19th century seaside resort of San Remo was one of the first tourist resorts to be established on the Italian Riviera and has played host to numerous illustrious personalities over the years. It has continued its popularity amongst the international jet set and the famous Art Nouveau casino dating back to the resorts’ most glamorous heyday is still the focus of the town’s social life. The modern resort of elegant boutiques, grand seafront hotels and garden-lined promenade contrasts with the old town, La Pigna, with its steep streets, covered alleys and quaint little squares. With our elegant Royal Hotel Sanremo, those on Liguria holidays can stay in refined luxury in this stunning 19th century hotel.
Cuisine
In contrast to the sophisticated gastronomy of its neighbour to the north, Piedmont, the simple ingredients of Ligurian cuisine are the very essence of the Mediterranean diet with abundant seafood, fresh fruit and vegetables, and the local, delicate olive oil. Fresh-grown herbs are used with fish, meat, pasta and, most famously, in pesto genovese which adorns many pasta dishes, or is drizzled into minestrone. Dining in a smart ristorante will, not unexpectedly, be more expensive than in a less formal trattoria, especially if you opt for the whole menu including antipasto, primo, secondo and dolce (dessert). Nonetheless, on holidays to Liguria the local dishes come highly recommended. Along the Ligurian coast, there’s a wide choice of eateries including pizzerias with authentic wood-fired ovens, wine-shops serving cheese and antipasto, and foccacerie and osteria for less formal dining. Ligurian wines are perfectly quaffable especially the whites with seafood, but wines from neighbouring Piedmont are more popular with enthusiasts.