The Italian or, as it is also called, the Ligurian Riviera (Riviera ligure) is one of the most famous resorts in the world, representing a narrow coast between the Ligurian Sea, washing the territory of France, Monaco and Italy and the mountain range formed by the Maritime Alps and Apennines. The Italian Riviera extends from the French border to Tuscany itself. Mountains cover the region from cold winds, and the warm waters of the Ligurian Sea contribute to creating a favorable climate for lovers of a luxurious beach holiday.
If the route of your trip to Italy runs through the Ligurian Riviera, it will certainly captivate you with its contrasting landscapes: cliffs steeply breaking to the sea and magnificent beaches, quiet bays and noisy port cities.
Genoa (Genova)
As a starting point for a trip to the Italian Riviera is the best suited Genoa - The ancient seaport and capital of the Liguria region.
In Genoa, rich in historical and cultural monuments, there is something to satisfy your curiosity. The most attractive place for tourists is the old city, where you can wander for a long time along the narrow medieval streets, in which history is forever frozen, admiring ancient buildings, magnificent palaces and cathedrals. If you are planning to visit Genoa, whether traveling with or without the Riviera, we also recommend one of our previous posts: What to see in Genoa: 8 of the most interesting places.
In addition, Genoa is located in the very center of the Italian Riviera, dividing it into two parts, the western - Riviera di Ponente and eastern - Riviera di Levante.
Riviera di Ponente - always had the status of a prestigious recreation area
The Riviera di Ponente is a continuation of the French Riviera, and it is often called the "coast of the rising sun." It was the Riviera di Ponente in the XIX century that in Italy became the center of gravity of European nobility. Today it is also a prestigious recreation area with fashionable resorts, the most famous of which are San Remo and Alassio, as well as many small resort towns and villages. The Riviera di Ponente is characterized by a calmer landscape and vast beaches with fine-grained sand.
Going from Genoa on a journey along the Riviera di Ponente, in Varazza you smoothly enter the Palm Riviera (Riviera delle Palme), which extends to Andorra. Its center is located in the resort town of Savona, known for its beautiful beaches.
If you travel with children, resort town Finale Ligure It will be an ideal place for your vacation thanks to the wide golden sandy beaches and shallow coast.
If you prefer a pebble beach - drive further west along the coastline to Albengi.
And if you want to plunge into the sea of floral aromas, then your route runs through Riviera delle Palme to Flower Riviera (Riviera dei Fiori), located in the province of Imperia with its center in San Remo. Alassio, one of the most famous resorts of the Riviera di Ponente, will meet you along the way.
Alassio (Alassio)
The medieval Alassio, as a wonderful resort, became famous thanks to the British travelers who discovered it in the 19th century. Luxurious sandy beaches, colorful promenades and the sea with clear emerald water have made the town of Alassio extremely attractive for European tourists.
When in Alassio, be sure to pay attention to Muretto Wall at a local restaurant called Rome. Celebrities who have been here, such as Winston Churchill, Sophia Loren and many others, immortalized their names by signing on its colored plates.
Muretto Wall is famous for autographs of world celebrities
Alassio With its well-developed tourist infrastructure, bars, restaurants, nightclubs and discos, in fact, it is one of the most “party” cities on the Ligurian coast. And its democracy allows you to feel absolutely comfortable for everyone, without exception, regardless of age or social affiliation.
Alassio's main attraction - the magnificent sandy beaches
Lovers of antiquities in Alassio will also not be disappointed. There is something to see: for example, the bell tower of St. Ambrogio, built in the 16th century or the church of the Holy Cross, meeting travelers on the road leading to Albena.
Moving along the coast further west, we find ourselves in San Remo - the most luxurious resort on the west coast of Liguria, surrounded by huge plantations of violets, roses, carnations and hyacinths.
San Remo
Since the 19th century San remo - A favorite vacation spot of English aristocrats and members of royal families. Members of the royal family of the Romanovs also liked to walk along the embankment of the Empress, so named in honor of the wife of Alexander II - Maria Alexandrovna. In 1913, the Orthodox Church of Christ the Savior was consecrated especially for Russians in San Remo, which is considered a unique phenomenon for Catholic Italy.
Today, San Remo is a fashionable resort with many bars and restaurants, luxurious casinos and discos, where vibrant social life boils day and night.
San Remo is the most famous resort of the Riviera di Ponente
San Remo is also the city of the famous song festival, about which BlogoItaliano wrote in detail here, the festival of colors, fashion shows, sailing regattas, tennis tournaments, rowing competitions, car races and boxing fights. Here, the holiday atmosphere reigns all year, and the air is filled with the fragrance of flowers. In addition, every day at 5 in the morning at the Mercato dei Fiori fair in San Remo such a "sea" of flowers is brought in that from the variegation of their colors begins to ripple in the eyes. Probably because of this, the famous Flower Festival.
To be continued
