Liguria Tours Lerici and the land of the Cinque Terre | Portofino, Rapallo, Santa Margherita Ligure

Camogli, Rapallo, Santa Margherita Ligure, Portofino, Sanremo

Welcome to Liguria, a narrow curve of land on the north western coastal area of Italy: a wonderland with world-famous beaches, rocky coastline and a hinterland squeezed between the mountains and the sea. The land where Christopher Columbus, Mazzini, and Montale were born, chosen home to Italo Calvino, Liguria offers fascinating holidays in famous destinations such as the elegant Portofino, the fabulous Sanremo, city of flowers, and the Cinque Terre, just as in the vibrant cities of Genoa with its glorious past as a maritime republic, and the La Spezia. Liguria Cinque Terre groups together some of Italy's most stunning natural landscapes, scenery of such immense beauty that in 1997 the area was awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO. With its ancient towns, olive groves, and vineyards, all clinging perilously to the cliffs directly above the sea, this is a magical place to be explored on foot, walking along centuries-old pathways, made in the constant company of breathtaking views of the sea.

Suggested tour of 7 days starting from Rome with the visit of Camogli, Rapallo, Santa Margherita Ligure, Portofino and Sanremo, the service is driver/guided and is individually personalized.
Camogli
In the heart of the Golfo Paradiso one finds Camogli, a small sunny town, with multicolored houses and a sea perfect for those wishing to relax. Thanks to its ancient maritime traditions, Camogli is also known as the city of "the Thousand White Sailing Ships". Walking along the alleyways, one frequently comes across images of the Virgin, to whom the inhabitants of Camogli often turned to ask for protection from the sea. There are a host of local events to tempt the visitor to stay a little longer: St Valentine's day, the Festival of the Patron Saint, St Fortunato, the Celebrations of the Croce Verde, Cristo degli Abissi, the Concerts held in the Abbey of St Fruttuoso, the Dog Show at San Rocco di Camogli, Re Camoglino and the Festa delle Restie. As well as the sea, nature lovers will enjoy the walks: Passeggiata della quite from Ruta to San Rocco; the route towards the promontory of Portofino or Punta Chiappa and San Fruttuoso. The trips by boat to San Fruttuoso or along the Paradiso Gulf are splendid.		 Camogli
Rapallo
Like all of the beautiful localities of Liguria, Rapallo offers a combination of sea and inland typical of the region. Situated on the internal part of the Gulf of Tigullio, Rapallo, and its two areas, Santa Maria del Campo and San Massimo, is today an International tourist destination with a port well equipped for private boats. Giovanni da Vico, Fortunio Licato and Nicolò Barbagelata were born here. Friedrich Nietzche stayed here and found inspiration for his "Zarathustra". To be seen: the Oratory of S.S Trinità seat of the Confraternity of the Bianchi, the Tower of the Rapallo Community, the Monastery of Valle Christi, the Porta delle Saline, the Lace Museum and the Sanctuary of the Madonna of Montallegro. Famous for its production of Lace, Rapallo also has fine culinary traditions, with dishes such as Lasagna al Pesto, Foccaccia al'Olio and Frittelle Ripiene. The town hosts numerous events, among which are the Festival of the Patron Saint Nostra Signora di Montallegro, the Fair of St Sebastiano, and a busy calendar of artistic reviews.		 Rapallo
Santa Margherita Ligure
Santa Margherita Ligure is situated on the Riviera of Levante in the region of Liguria. Approximately 35km from Genoa, to the east of the Portofino promontory, the town occupies territory along the inner-most part of the Tigullio gulf. Santa Margherita Ligure is surrounded by hills the slopes of which, covered in lush Mediterranean vegetation, provide the paradisiacal setting for villas and gardens all with spectacular views out on to the Delfini coast, this latter linking the town to that of Portofino. This unique landscape tells the story of the town and its extremely resistant population. The resolute hardiness of past inhabitants can be witnessed in the incredibly labour intensive terracing of the land, land predominantly used for the cultivation of olive trees. Likewise, the cobbled paving of the roads which twist their way up the slopes, the olive presses and farmhouses are all signs of an extremely industrious past. The port of Santa Margherita is now the chosen harbour for luxury yachts which drop anchor next to the locals' traditional fishing vessels. The port is also the site for sporting activities such as sailing and canoeing, as well as numerous fashionable social events linked to the international sailing regattas hosted by the town.		 Santa Margherita Ligure
Portofino
Rises up on a small gulf protected by a promontory, amongst some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe, between Punta Chiappa, the inlets of Cala dell'Oro and St Fruttuoso and Punta Carega. It has been a destination of the rich and famous for more than half a century, Guy de Montpassant was one of the first visitors to Portofino, which he described as "a cresent moon around a calm basin". Liz Taylor, Richard Burton, Nietzsche and Humphrey Bogart all chose Portofino as a perfect hideaway. In the town, in addition to the legendary Piazzetta, visitors can admire the Abbey of St Fruttuoso, the Sanctuary of St Giorgio and the Brown Castle. The entire promontory of Portofino is now a protected area with lush vegetation and an impressive quantity of invertebrates and birds. The beach of Portofino, "Paraggi", is ideal for lovers of sun and sea. Here, in this unique stretch of sea, one finds the Corallium Rubrum (red coral). Amongst the major underwater attractions, the Cristo degli Abissi.		 Portofino
Sanremo
Known on a world wide scale for being the chosen residence of many an illustrious name, Sanremo has gained the title of "Capital of Floriculture". Its mild climate favors the growth of a quite unique mixture of tropical and Mediterranean vegetation. Sanremo is the site of two important tourist ports: Porto Sole and Porto Vecchio. Buildings of note, in the Liberty style, are Villa Noseda, Villa Anger, the Riviera Palace Hotel, the Hotel Bellevue which houses the Sanremo casinò, Villa Nobel and the Russian Orthodox Church..Among its most illustrious guests were Napoleon and Pope Paul III. Visitors should not miss the chance to explore the city's historic center known as "La Pigna". To see: Palazzo Borea dOlmo, the Basilica of St Siro and the Baptistery of St Giovanni. The most important events: The Italian Song Festival, the Songwriters Review, the Milan-Sanremo cycle race and the Sanremoinfiore flower show. The cuisine is excellent, featuring dishes such as Trofie, Ravioli al Pesto, stuffed vegetables, Torta Verde, Rabbit al Fermentino and Sardenaria.		 Sanremo
Liguria Tours Lerici and the land of the Cinque Terre | Portofino, Rapallo, Santa Margherita Ligure