Liguria is a northern province of Italy also known as the Italian Riviera. The area boasts good weather with 300 days of annual sunshine, as well as little Italian villages taking you back to another time. There are also plenty of beautiful beaches to choose from and mountains which are ideal for sporty types. Unlike its neighbor Tuscany, the area is still not overwhelmed with tourists and there are still hidden gems to be found.
EAT
Tasty traditional cuisine from the area that must be sampled:
*Farinata– a type of flatbread made from chickpea flour and extra-virgin olive oil (which is some of the best in Italy!)
*Focaccia– this Italian bread originates from Liguria and makes a great snack. There is also a sweet version, focaccia dolce, which can be made with honey and raisins.
*Seafood– the fruitti de mare here is amazingly fresh and there’s a whole array to try- shrimps, anchovies, crab, calamari and many different varieties of fish.
PLAY
Places to visit and things to do:
* Cinque Terre– 5 charming villages along the coast with UNESCO World Heritage Site status
*The Gulf of Poets– a striking coastline that inspired many writers- includes the towns of Porto Venere, La Spezia and Lerici
*Hanbury Botanical Gardens– close to Ventimiglia, these exquisite botanical gardens are said to be one of the best in Europe
*Genoa – a historical port city and capital of Liguria. Stunning sights and dubbed ‘La Superba’ (the Superb)
*Dolceacqua– famous from Monet’s 1884 paintings of the village’s bridge
*Apricale– the sunniest piazza and once named one of the most beautiful villages in all of Italy
SLEEP
Different types of accommodation to suit everyone:
BlumenRiviera- offering holiday homes across the whole region of Liguria. Telephone number: 0049 8989 22 33 00
Hostel Cinque Terre – a good budget option in Cinque Terre
Camping Liguria – find camping sites around Liguria
