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Italian Riviera offers not only sun, but history
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While people have tossed around the idea of visiting the French Riviera for years, it’s really the Italian Riviera that is a shame to miss when visiting Europe. Sure the French Riviera, also known as the Cote d’Azur, is all about being seen, but in Italy it’s about having a good time and enjoying your holiday.
The Italian Riviera only makes up a very small coastal strip in Italy and it sits between the Ligurian Sea and a mountain chain that was formed by both the Maritime Alps and the Apennines. The region known as Liguria, where the Italian Riviera can be found didn’t just become popular overnight though, it was actually one of the ancient Roman roads. Starting south near the region of Tuscany the Italian Riviera extends toward France where you will find towns such as Rapallo, Ventimiglia, Genoa, Portofino, Lavagna and Sanremo, all a must to explore.
Genoa is actually the bustling town that most people have readily heard of with a large port and the dividing line for the Italian Riviera. West of Genoa and up into France is the Riviera di Ponente and to the east is Riviera di Levante down to Capo Corvo. One feature of the Riviera no matter where you choose to visit is the great climate and the wonderful old villages full of fishing tales and lots of charm. That also includes old medieval villages with colorful stories to tell.
In the Riviera di Levante you will find the most rugged coastlines and towns such as Portofino, Lavagna and Rapallo. Hidden from view thanks to the twisting roads and cliff wall the beaches on this end of the Riviera tend to be rockier and wild, but worth it with the spectacular views afforded the visitor. Getting a good day in the sun is expected, but there is also much history to be found in the area.
The translation for the Riviera di Ponente is Riviera of the Setting Sun and this is where you will find the prime beaches and resorts in towns like Sanremo and Ventimiglia. Not as quaint as it once was, you can find sunbathers interspersed with history buffs and locals taking it all in just like any good Italian – nice and easy.
As Genoa splits the two Riviera regions it’s a good place to start with a population of about 620,000 residents. The main sights in the city include Piazza de Ferrari in which you will find the Opera and the Palace of the Doges. Via Garibaldi, located in the Old City section was added to the World Heritage List last year and the section of the city was designed in the mid-16th century. The art college, Musei di Strada Nuova and the Palazzo del Principe are also on this street.
Other must sees include the St. Lawrence Cathedral, the Old Harbor (now a mall) and the cemetery called Staglieno. Since the port also features so strongly in Genoa don’t miss it and while there visit the La Lanterna, an ancient lighthouse that is the oldest working lighthouse in the world today.
Heading east into the Riviera di Levante, Rapallo and Portofino are situated near one another and are amiable stops. The first settlement in Rapallo was in the 8th century, BC and the name of the city first appears in records in 964.
The main sights to see in this town begin with the Castle-on-the-Sea dating back to 1551 and also including a chapel built in 1688. Likewise, don’t miss the historical tower of the Fieschi and the Torre Civica. The Porta delle Saline is the only gate that is still left from the old wall that once surrounded the town and there is also the church of St. Francis of Assisi. Finally, the Basilica of Sts. Gervasius and Protasius is a picturesque stop and was consecrated in 1118 – don’t miss the leaning bell tower as well.
Portofino is a small fishing village and popular with tourists. It has been said to be the most beautiful of the Mediterranean ports, but before it had that distinction it was founded by the Romans and named Portus Delphini (Port of Dolphins) because of the large number of dolphins that spent time in the gulf there. The point of interest in Portofino other than lounging around in the sun is Castello Brown.
Another option for the night is in the small fishing village of Lavagna with only 13,000 residents. On the gulf of Tigullio, the area was quite important during the middle ages as a cultural center. Nowadays, it’s important with the August tourists, many Italians in fact, who come to enjoy the sun in the Liguria region.
If you go west first toward France the city of Sanremo (also known as San Remo) will probably catch your attention. It too was founded by the Romans, but is now one of the most popular Italian Riviera tourist destinations. If you like music you will also find that the town hosts the Sanremo Music Festival every year.
In the 18th century the town began its growth into tourism early building Grand hotels right on the coastline. Another plus in Sanremo is that tourist attractions are open year round, largely due to the climate, which is very nearly perfect during every month.
There are two harbors in the town; Porto Vecchio and Porto Sole, a golf course, a riding ground and more shops and boutiques than anywhere in the area. On Tuesday and Saturday mornings in the Piazzo Eroi Sanremesi don’t miss the market – tourists and locals alike enjoy the experience on market day.
Sanremo is not short on culture either, as you will find the Municipal Casino or the Ariston Theatre that hosts concerts, operas and theater shows. The symphony orchestra of Sanremo offers 120 concerts a year and for parade lovers early in the year the Flowers Parade is quite colorful as is the summer Fireworks International Contest held in July.
Almost bordering France is Ventimiglia sitting 45-feet above sea level. There is the remains of a Roman theatre from the first half of the second century in this town and many other remains can also be found from ancient walls to the ruins of an ancient Albintimilium. Caves in the area date back to the Paleolithic era and a family of Cro-Magnon men were also discovered in the vicinity.
For a more modern look at Ventimiglia there is the Hanbury Botanical Gardens, which is the largest in Italy and quite popular throughout Europe. The church known as San Michele is a good discovery and was built on top of a pagan temple. The Cathedral that highlights the city now has a fifth-century baptistery, but was actually built on yet another earlier building.
A street market can be found in Ventimiglia on Friday and is situated along the seafront offering great finds good and old. From history to modern times, the town of Ventimiglia dates back to early times, but is also in step with the future.
So no matter whether you are heading east or west on the Italian Riviera, it’s a sure bet you will find the stress-free atmosphere associated with holiday while not only enjoying the sun, but a bit of history as well.
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