The italian region Liguria is known for its breathtaking cliffs and mountains that line the seashore and is called Italian Riviera. It is famous for its mystical seaside villages and coastal towns, dozens and dozens of sandy strands, rocky coves and pebbly beaches, where lush forests of lemon trees, herbs, flowers, almonds and pines send forth heady sweet-smelling breezes. Genoa, the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, is the major Italian port. Here there is a very important acquarium, where you can admire the sealife of the entire world. The Cinque Terre are five fishing villages connected by mountain paths,will impress you for their beauty and simultaneous quaintness. Portovenere and the Cinque Terre have been declared World Heritage sites by Unesco. Resort towns, such as the glitzy San Remo full of world class resorts and the mellower Santa Margherita Ligure popular with rich Italians are much more developed and less natural than the smaller fishing villages, but still beautiful and full of history and sites to see. Portofino is famous worldwide for its picturesque sites.
Very close to Ligury, just across the border, there is the Còte d'Azur ( Cannes and Nice) a wonderful part of France, and Montecarlo, capital of the small Principality of Monaco. It is an area of outstanding cultural interest, its museums, parks, gardens, its fortified towns and castles. It is also loved for its fantastic art of living, its gastronomy and restaurants, its vineyards and its traditions which are still very much alive.Celebrities (French and international) and the rich and famous abound, filling the most glamorous bars and beaches.
1 Day:
Guided visit of the city of Sanremo with the 2 ports, the Casino and the medieval area called "Pigna".
2 Day:
Full day excursion to Genua and after the visit of the old city centre, continue towards Rapallo. Here yolu will embark on a motorboat which will take you to Portofino. Time at your disposal to explore this charming fishermen's village. Return to Rapallo by boat. Wine tasting with a snak.
3 Day:
Full day excursion to the Côte d'Azur, in France. Stop in Montecarlo and guided visit of the Botanical Gardens and the Royal Palace. In the afternoon, visit of Nice, also known als the "Pearl of the Côte d'Azur".
4 Day:
Full day excursion to France, to visit Cannes, famous for its Film Festival, the elegant Rue d'Antibes and the Croisette. In the afternoon, optional visit of a parfume factory.
5 Day:
At disposal for optional excursions and departure.
IF YOU WISH TO PROLONGE YOUR STAY IN THIS AREA WE SUGGEST YOU THE FOLLOWING:
- Genua Aquarium
Visit to the Aquarium of Genua, the Europe's largest auqarium. It houses sea creatures from all the world's major habitats, from Caribbean coral reef complete with moray eels, turtles and angelfish, to the grey sharks, dolphins, seals and penguins.
- Cinque Terre
The stupendous folder coastline of the Cinque Terre (Five Lands) streches berween the pleasant beach resort of Levanto and the major port of La Spezia. The area is named for fine tiny villages - Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore - wedged into a series of coves between sheer cliffs, their comparative remoteness and the dramatic nature of their position on a stunning coastline, make them the principal scenic highlight of this part of the Riviera. A must is the twenty-minute walk on the Via dell'Amore (Lovers' Path) above the waves past lemon trees in every backyards.
