12 unforgettable reasons why you should choose the Italian Riviera if you are an adventure seeker

 

The Ligurian coastline. Photo credits: Jonathan Sautter - Pixabay

NOTE FROM THE ED. I am currently conducting sessions focusing on cross-cultural destination storytelling and experiential travel as part of a specialization course in Social Media Marketing for the Tourism industry (EQF level 5), ITS  Tecnico superiore per la promozione e il marketing delle filiere turistiche e delle attività culturali mediante le nuove tecnologie digitali e i social network, organized by the Fondazione ITS Turismo Liguria in Santa Margherita Ligure.

Liguria serves as the case study for various in-class activities dedicated to a dynamic group of Generation Z. This post marks the second release of a 4-stages series. Caterina, Lorenzo and Paolo have focused on young fans of adventurous travel as their target audience. I am pleased to present the results of their work.

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Luisa Puppo

Let's see: you arrive on the Italian Riviera and after stuffing your mouth with focaccia and visiting the Palazzi dei Rolli in Genoa you are left feeling satisfied and a bit disoriented: so here is a list of 12 high-octane and calorie–burning activities for you, your friends or your family that will make you live the Italian Riviera to the fullest, according to our group of handpicked locals.

Contrary to popular belief, the Italian Riviera isn't just made for the Dolce Vita, but it can also offer a strong dose of Vita Avventurosa. 

Here are our suggestions for an unforgettable experience in this beautiful region that is not just only coast, but a lot more:

1)     Shred your way down the wildly beautiful Finale Region on a Fierce Mountain Bike 

If you are a rider, you know that the trail is only part of the experience. Another key aspect is what's around the trail, the view. So why ride some lame trail when you can shred huge gaps with a scenic overview of the sea along Finale Ligure's world-class trails?

2)     Feel the shock and awe from the sights of the Italian Riviera

The Italian Riviera offers treks and hikes for all ages and tastes. From mellow seaside trails to the gnarliest, steepest mountain walls you ever saw, the Riviera has it all. Some of our favourites are, in no particular order, Sentiero Azzurro [Sky Blue Trail] spanning across the scenic Cinque Terre and specifically the Sentiero dell'Infinito [Trail of the Infinity], between Portovenere and Riomaggiore or how about the Sentiero del Pellegrino [Trail of the Pilgrim] in Varigotti. Want to push yourself? So, do you think the previous trails were made for toddlers and are now ready for a big boy trail? Is your fitness level on par with an Olympic athlete? Are you an Olympic athlete? Very well, then we have a lovely treat for you. The trail between Rifugio Don Barbera and Rifugio San Remo is exactly what you need: a 16 Km (10 mi.) trail between the Italian and French border across the Alps, the plains and the sea.

3)     Become Colombo for a day and explore the Italian Riviera from a never-seen-before perspective

Terra! Terra! Leave the routine behind and live the coast from a new privileged perspective, starting from Genova, Alassio, Finale Ligure or Portofino. Take new routes on your sailboat and become a member of the prestigious Repubblica di Genova.

4)     Spread your hang glider wide through the Ligurian skies and soar above the land and sea

We hate getting stuck in traffic, I know you do, too. No problem, in Liguria we fly. Feel the soft breeze soaring through the clouds that only a hang glider can give you. You can find this thrilling experience in Bergeggi, Varazze, Riva Trigoso and Monterosso

5)     It's not the destination, it’s the journey, and the historic Roman road with its unique views on the sea is an absolute treat

Take your car and go on a road trip along The Aurelia, discovering the fascinating views of our dreamy Riviera. The important thing isn’t just the destination, but also the journey and how you reach it. And if you are a driver or rider, don't forget about the mountain pass of Faiallo, above Genoa it’s one of the most panoramic streets of Liguria overlooking the city. Another street we recommend is Colle di Tenda with its spectacular views of the Alpi Marittime in between the Italian Riviera and the Cote d'Azur. Also, beloved by the locals is the pass of the Bocco up in the treacherous mountainous forest above the cities of Chiavari and Lavagna and the pass of the Bracco, a section of the Aurelia road that connects the cities of Spezia, Levanto and Sestri Levante through the twisting corners. Will you be able to master them all?

 

6)     Feel the calming breeze cradle you into a relaxed state on a SUP

Enjoy an excursion in tranquillity on SUP in Punta Manara, between Sestri Levante and Riva Trigoso. You can have fun with your family, and friends, or meet new people and learn a new sport. Relax is the code word.

7)     Ride the forever-changing tides on the perfect waves of Levanto

Take your surfboard and live an hour of pure adrenaline while riding the waves of the beautiful town of Levanto, only 5 minutes away from the famous Cinque Terre. You're gonna be surprised by its beautiful sandy beaches, rare in our region known for its massive cliffs.

8)     Live the mountain in the winter, using your skis and snowshoes 

What if I told you you can snowshoe while staring at our one-of-a-kind Riviera? On clear, bright days, you can also admire the far-off Corsica coast.

By immersing yourself in this experience, you'll be able to live a day in contact with nature like you never did before; after your walk in the cold, you can sit at the table of a "Rifugio" and taste the savoury dishes typical of our Ligurian cuisine. Enjoy the full bounty in the peaks of Monte Beigua.

9)     Put on the Ritz and tear up the dance floor in this scenic nightclub overlooking Portofino

Are you looking for a night of crazy fun? At the Covo di Nord Est, a famous Ligurian club that has hosted a lot of different VIPs such as Frank Sinatra, Brigitte Bardot, Dolce Gabbana, Julio Iglesias and many others, you can have it all! Fine drinks, good music and a stunning view of the dreamy bay of Portofino. Welcome to the top chic hangout in Liguria: don't miss your chance and enjoy La Bella Vita in this distinctive travel destination!

10)   Wear your high-vis vest and hunt down the gloriously good porcini mushrooms in the woods of Carrodano

Are you hungry? What are you waiting for? Our fantastic Liguria offers you an amazing variety of mushrooms: explore the thick woods of Carrodano, a tiny borgo above Levanto and hunt those hidden gems. The most typical mushroom is the Porcino and if you are lucky even the prized truffle, both a must of the Italian cuisine. Get as many as you can, Risotto is waiting for you!

11)   Stroll through the Porto Antico, the Millenial port filled with a thousand activities

I'm not gonna tell you to lift with the Bigo, visit the famous Acquario or take pictures of the Galeone, but what if I told you there's an ex-military submarine near the unmissable Galata museum that you can visit! 

There are many things you can enjoy in our historical harbour: you can't go away without having a walk in Via del Campo, one of the most typical streets of our Caruggi, which became famous for the song from our songwriter de Andrè, and you will be left astonished by the old style Sottoripa, an exhaustive memory of the harbour history.

12)   Plunge drink first into the tiny streets and bars of the mystic Carruggi

Camalli and songwriters used to have a glass of Corochinato in the characteristic Caruggi (historic tiny streets of Genoa), which has become today the typical drink of the old city. There's just one place where you should try it: The Bottiglieria Marchesa in Via Canneto il Lungo, just a stone's throw from the S. Lorenzo Cathedral. The Corochinato, otherwise known as the Asinello, is rather sweet and is best enjoyed along with the salty flavour of a tasty "Slerfa of Fugassa": one of the most typical Ligurian specialities you can find when visiting the city.