 Introduction
Its 340 km coast, better known as the Italian Riviera, is a continuous line of long beaches and cliffs which form coves. Its capital Genoa divides the coast into two parts: the Riviera di Ponente, lies between the city and the French border and is characterized by long sandy beaches; the stretch that extends towards Tuscany is called Riviera di Levante, here the mountains hang over the coast with high cliffs which give way to spectacular coves in some spots. Cities and beach resorts are located along the entire coast, with names that have become famous throughout the world.
History and Culture
Places in the Region of Tuscany
The regional capital, Genoa (“City of Culture” in 2004) is a large port but also a fascinating and little known historical city. The city has a glorious past (Christopher Columbus was born here), the great sights of which still remain and with a particular charm all its own.
Liguria's coastline is divided into the western and eastern Rivieras. The western end, the Riviera di Ponente, is a succession of pretty resorts, many of which contain important historical centers. For example Albenga, the city of towers and Noli and Alassio on the Riviera delle Palme, famed for its roses, almond and citrus groves, lies between San Remo and Genoa. Continuing towards France is the so-called Riviera dei Fiori, named after the extensive flower cultivation climbing up the hills. Here lie enchanting cities like Cervo, a medieval town dominated by its great Baroque church, and Bordighera, the most exotic town of the Riviera di Ponente. The queen of the Ponente is Sanremo, one of the best loved spots of Liguria. The city is Italy's flower capital, but its owes its fame mainly to the Festival della Canzone (Italian music competition). Sanremo's inland area has been discovered recently: beautiful towns unchanged by time sit in the valleys, like Bussana Vecchia, an abandoned town repopulated by artists, Dolceacqua, Apricale and Triora, the town of witches and watermills.
The Riviera di Levante is home to cities whose names are internationally famous. The Tigullio Gulf is a succession of renown spots, including Camogli, Rapallo, Sestri and Portofino, the pearl of the gulf. Further south lies the incredible magic of the Cinque Terre, five small towns handing on cliffs where time stands still. At the tip of the Riviera is the Golfo dei Poeti (Poets Gulf), with the towns of Lerici and Portovenere. Places full of charm and popular with many European aristocrats and literati who vacationed here in the nineteenth century.
Events
A month of concerts and theatrical performances in the Arena del Mare (Sea arena), a space equipped for the occasion, capable of holding 1,500 seated spectators.
Italian Song Festival - February - Sanremo
The Festival della canzone italiana is a popular Italian song contest running since 1951 and held annually in the city. Usually referred to as Festival di Sanremo, it was the inspiration for the Eurovision Song Contest.
Tenco Prize - October - Sanremo
It was Amilcare Rambaldi who created this competition so as to commemorate his friend, Luigi Tenco - a famous Italian singer back in the 1960's. The competition attracts singers who come from every side of the world and they are representatives of songwriter music. It thus celebrates their preference for poetic words, tormenting emotions, and suggestive melodies.
Flowers Parade - January/Febraury - Sanremo
Every city of the Italian Riviera presents an original composition of flowers displayed on a Carnival/Mardi-Gras style moving car.
Milan-Sanremo race - March - Sanremo
The race is traditionally held in March, and is one of the first major fixtures on the cycling season. Milan-Sanremo is an annual cycling race between Milan and Sanremo. Currently it is the longest of all professional one-day cycling races (294 km). The first edition was held in 1907. Today it is regarded as one of the “Monuments” of the European professional cycling calendar, and is part of the UCI ProTour.
Sanremo Car Rally - September - Sanremo
The Sanremo Car Rally Race that used to be part of the FIA World Rally Championship, (a pure tarmac rally, takes place around the mountains).
Sanremo Classic Rally - May - Sanremo
It is one of the major competitions for vintage cars, has been recognized by the FIA as the “Trofeo Europeo Rally di Regolarita”. The origins of this event are to be found in a race through the regions of Liguria and Tuscany which was designed as a method of touring these beautiful areas whilst indulging a passion for driving these classic cars.
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Liguria Travel Guide
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