The Italian Riviera has breathtaking sceneries, hence a sought after Italian holiday destination. Where is the Italian Riviera located? What else is inclusive in it? It’s a picturesque stretch of the coastline on Italy’s northwest side, in a town known as Liguria. The Italian Riviera has two sides. On the eastern side is the capital city known as the coast of the rising sun or Riviera di Levante. To the west is the coast of the setting sun or Riviera di Ponente.
The Italian Riviera is known for its stunning history mix, the scenic scenery, virgin beaches, captivating cuisines, and the homes glowing with colour. These incredible features are why people who love art, celebrities, royalty, and writers have been visiting the Italian Riviera since the 1800s. Besides the city gives everyone a reason to visit. The visits are mainly done during the summer to have a good time on the beach. Though the winter season is mild, it’s time to visit the parks and museums.
Genoa
It is easy getting to the Italian Riviera since Genoa has an international airport. There is also a centralized train station with incoming trains from Florence, Miran, Venice, and Rome. The port in Genoa has ships coming from various parts of the world.
There are various towns in the costal stretch of the Italian Riviera such as Sanremo,Alassio, Savona, Genoa, Sesti Levante,Portofino,Ventimiglia, Santa Margherita Ligure and Sestri Levante.
The unique and historical works of architecture found in Genoa are breathtaking. They are also preserved in a better way than the artworks in Rome, Venice, or Florence. If you plan to use the chauffeuring services, you can start with Genoa, which has mansions and palaces, which are also known as Palazzi, del Rolli. These mansions and palaces served as palatial homes to the influential families of the Genoese. The UNESCO world heritage site is also in Genoa.
There is also the hub of the contemporary city, also known as Piazza de Ferrari, to compare to the ancient town or the Caruggi. The Caruggi is one of the leading conserved ancient towns in Europe.
Santa Margherita Ligure
Santa Margherita Ligure is also reachable by driving through the spectacular coastal roads which go through Recco. As you drive, you will have opportunities to take beautiful photos because of the scenic view of Tigullio Gulf.
You can also visit the harbour at the Waterfront Promenade and the nearby fish market. The botanical gardens and Villa Durrazo, an estate dating back to the 17th century, are also some of the spectacular sites to visit. There is also an ancient church with an impressive Baroque interior known as the Basilica of Santa Margherita of Antioch.
Portofino
Visit the Italian Riviera with a private chauffeur and you will come across the beautiful greenery of the Mediterranean, which is inclusive of chestnut and olive trees. This flora is one of the largest worldwide, and it’s found in the Portofino Regional, national Park in Portofino.
The local bakeries have been in existence for over 100 years, and you can stop there and have a variety of locally made “Foraccia,” also known as “Focaccia al Formaggio.”
Alassio
Alassio is also another beautiful city in the Italian Riviera. It’s not in the spotlight and does not have as many people as Portofino, but its long sandy beaches attract Italians who want to bask on the coastline on the eastern side of Ligure. By trekking on an old Roman road through Aurelia, you get to Capo Santa Croce, where you will come across a church towering over the sea from the 13th century. There is also a village building known as Torrione Tower, which served as a hiding place for fishermen when pirates attacked them in the 16th century. Hemingway persuaded Caffe Roma’s owner in the 1950s to create a duplicate of Hollywood’s Walk of fame in Alassio, which is a colorful stone wall with ceramic tiles. It bears autographs from celebrities such as Jean Cocteau.
Have lunch at the ULevantin, a mix of mouthwatering local and international dishes such as Liguria rabbit with baked potatoes. The Grand Hotel Alassio is an excellent place to treat yourself while you detox through the various treatments inspired by the sea. The Villa Della Pergola is also another beautiful hideaway that is surrounded by pine trees.
Camogli
If you love trekking and prefer secluded areas, Camogli would serve you best. Camogli has a maritime past, also known as the “City of Thousand Sails.” However, it’s no longer a very busy harbor but has smaller sailing vessels. There is a path leading to Punta Chiappa, a rocky place with a specific cave known as Grotta dei Gamberi, a favourite for scuba divers from the coast.
There are beautiful coloured jewels along the coastline, which are accessed through trekking trails. They are over 70 miles, and the trekking trails go through five towns of Cinque Terre. The trekking path that is easy to use gets you to Manarola within 30 minutes. This region also comprises the town of Monteresso, and Val di Vara is well known for its vast vineyards, which produce olive oil and wine. Spend the evening swimming in pools filled with salty water, which have been carved from the cliffs of Monteresso, while enjoying white wine with grapes grown in Vernaccia.
Dress Code
While touring the Italian Riviera, how you dress is inclined to the cities you visit. If you are staying in a luxury resort at the Riviera Maya, your clothing choice should be diverse. The Europeans who vacation in these resorts are fashion conscious and dress nicely, even at the beach. There are various shops that you can buy and add to your wardrobe.
However, if you vacation around Playa, no one will bother with your dress code. You can as well walk around in your pyjamas all day.
In other cities, a shirt with short sleeves is better than t-shirts. You can also wear shirts while going into restaurants. Though most people recommend the clothing to be made of cotton, Viscose can also be suitable. Viscose is light and does not crease. Though for underwear and socks, cotton is most suitable. Those on trekking vacation have light baggage because you will wash as you continue with your journey.
A vacation in the Italian Riviera is refreshing. The different cities along the coastline have amazing features, and they are all different in their unique ways. From the beautiful and ancient architectural works of art in Genoa to the botanical gardens at Santa Margharita, not forgetting the vineyards at Monteresso, these are just a variety of the unique and breathtaking sceneries Italian Riviera offers.
