Living It Up in Liguria and the Italian Riviera

For more than a century, international travelers have recognized the warmth and beauty of Italy's famed Liguria region and the magnificent Italian Riviera. Long the place where the rich and famous would gather to enjoy warm water, wide sandy beaches, and posh resorts, the heyday of some towns in the Italian Riviera has passed but the area still maintains a certain upscale atmosphere that beckons discriminating travelers to come and explore.

Liguria is located in the northern portion of Italy, between the French Riviera, Piemonte, and Tuscany. The weather in the Liguria region is nearly always nice and can best be described as balmy. Thanks to its location, it's protected from most nasty weather by the mountains of the Alpine range. The average summertime temperature is a comfortable 77 degrees fahrenheit and in the winter, it rarely dips below around 50 degrees. The sun is abundant and the vegetation is lush. That's why, for decades, it's been attracting the rich and famous who come to play in San Remo's famed casino, enjoy the harbor at Portofino, or explore quaint seaside towns like Camogli and Rapallo.

Liguria is generally divided into two areas or coasts. West of Genoa is where you'll find traditional wide, sandy beaches and the resorts that make it a much-visited vacation spot. This area is known as Riviera di Ponente or Shore of the Setting Sun. Stretching all the way to the French Riviera, this side of Liguria boasts towns such as turn-of-the-century Bordighera, with its beautiful seaside promenade; the famed resort of San Remo; the medieval town of Masone; pretty Alassio with its 2-mile long beach; and the hill town of Sassello.

On the eastern side of Genoa is Riviera di Levante, Shore of the Rising Sun. The towns here are less developed, the coast more rugged. You won't find the huge resorts on this side of Genoa, but what you will find are some of Italy's most charming small towns, all lined up within just a few miles of each other and eager to welcome visitors. Head for little Portofino, perfect for those who require a little glitz with their vacation, or if you're looking for something less pretentious, travel just a few miles to pretty Santa Margherita Ligure, a charming town that was once a well-known retreat but is now quiet, boasting a pristine beach and lots of friendly locals.

If you're a city person, however, and you're visiting the Italian Riviera, don't miss an opportunity to spend some time in Genoa, one of Italy's least-visited cities but definitely worth a stop. Quite a historic city, Genoa's history can be traced back to the Etruscans of the 5th century BC and the city is simply full of wonderful archeological and architectural gems.

The most visited sight in Genoa is probably The Palace of the Doges, dating from the 13th century (not to be confused with the one in Venice). Other must sees include the magnificent Cathedral of St. Lawrence (Cattedrale di San Lorenzo); the Old Harbor area; the Museo d'Arte Oriental with its excellent collection of Oriental art; and the fun and educational Aquarium of Genoa, one of the largest in Europe. You'll also want to take a stroll down the Via Garibaldi. This street, lined with palaces, is a fascinating World Heritage Site.

No matter where you go in Italy, you'll want to be sure to taste the local food. Liguria is no exception. Seafood, of course, is quite popular, given the region's location, so expect most restaurants to have an excellent selection including fish that was just plucked from the sea hours before dinner is served. The produce in Liguria is equally as tantalizing and - like the seafood - you'll often find fruit or vegetables on your plate that were picked that very same day. Be sure to try the orata, a tasty local fish, usually cooked with olives and potatoes; or the gattafin, pasta stuffed with beetroot, onion and parmesan. Liguria is also the birthplace of pesto sauce so remember to order a dish that includes this popular topping.

The Wonders Of Italian Architecture

Italy is a magical country to visit and spend time; every region has something new to offer whether it is its food, the people, the history or its architecture. Too many people the architecture of a country is it's main attraction and this could easily be said about Italy with it's millennia old stones, sumptuous remains of mysterious Etruscan kings, witnesses to ancient pagan rites, memorials to a history whose origins is lost in the mists of time. Ancient temples that have stood for thousands of years and have amazed all those who run a hand over their immortal columns, such as the temples of Agrigento and Selinunte. Entire cities that remain like some marvellous stage set to tell us about life as it was in the distant past.

A life cut short, in ancient days, by the dramatic whim of a volcano, such as Pompeii and Herculaneum, or by the implacable advance of malaria, as in Ostia Antica and Paestum. Walls and buildings that have been witness to a boundless power, that of ancient Rome and its countless conquests. Places still capable of moving us deeply owing to the ingenuity of their construction and the peerless historical heritage that they embody. Italian squares or piazzas that seem to be picture perfect stage sets all complete with outdoor cafes to enable you to sit and watch the world un-fold in front of you. Buildings that were created to enchant and impress visiting dignities from an age gone by with luscious facades and interiors that house unimaginable riches and art treasures now have the same effect on those tourists visiting Italy.

Towers constructed to bear witness to power that now regale unforgettable panoramas to those bold enough to climb to the top. Streets resembling open-air museums. Bridges that create seem-less bonds between the banks of rivers such as the Rialto in Venice or Ponte Vecchio in Florence. Walls originally designed to defend a city have later been turned into wonderfully imposing rings that have been giving communities a sense of security for centuries. Ample flights of steps from which to savour the spectacle of a city's life. The taste for beauty is all pervasive, from the tiny village, to the old town, to cities great and small. Beauty touches every nook, every vista, everything. The ancient Italians left a world of elegant architecture and monuments behind for future generations to stare in amazement at.

Italy has a wealth of religious architecture, towers and churches launched towards the sky. Striking spires, dainty cupolas, artistic facades, and bell towers jutting up towards the blue sky and towards an Italian heaven, mysterious naves that guard artistic masterpieces ancient and modern. Visit any Italian city, town or village and you will see churches everywhere, guardians of and witnesses to a faith thousands of years old and then tiny chapels on the mountain tops, solitary shrines on street corners, statues and frescoes for the protection of the home. Small signs of popular devotion that stand as corollaries to the magnificence of the cathedrals. Italy loves religious architecture.

A series of masterpieces that tell the entire story of western architecture: from the elegant Romanesque forms of Santa Maria all' Aquila to the fanciful Gothic spires of the beautiful Cathedral in Milan, from the perfect example of Renaissance architecture in Florence Cathedral to the baroque wonder of Lecce Cathedral. Each one with its trusty bell-tower at its side to announce its presence; including the most famous one in the world: the Leaning Tower of Pisa.