The French undoubtedly stole the spotlight with its Côte d’Azur, but Italy’s own take on the luxury of the Riviera lifestyle has quietly been gaining momentum.  Although lying in close proximity to the Côte d’Azur (in fact, it practically shares a border with Nice) Liguria, the Italian Riviera can easily hold its own as a chic destination of unrivalled beauty. 
 
The Ligurian coast is a narrow, crescent-shape region in Italy, caught between sea and mountain, with almost 200 miles of sparkling gold sands that are a dream to any ardent sun-seeker.  Liguria is rich in natural reserves, the landscape luxuriant with palm trees, parasol pines, olive gloves and vineyards and is the home of great regional cuisine such as pesto.  The coast climbs from Ventimiglia in the east, sweeps around Genoa, its beauty epicentre, and finishes just beyond Cinque Terre, five famous inaccessible villages coloured with gravity-defying lemon orchards and charming typical kitchen gardens. 
 
The star of the region is Genoa, an antique, aesthetic port, voted one of Italy’s most atmospheric cities because of its vibrant social and ethnic mix, perfectly complimented by the magnificent old quarter.  Among other exclusive villages nestling in rocky coves, Riviera di Ponente, San Remo or Albenga are deserving of all the popularity they are receiving because of their genuine, traditional character, where the true Italian lifestyle can be met at every corner. 
 
Generous golden, warm beaches, rocky coasts, minuscule yet gorgeous ports and exquisite sceneries that attract only la crème de la crème, topped with vivid, cheerful and elegant starry nights create this impressive location that is the privileged Riviera Ligure.

Share this article: