Forget the sunbed: 12 miss-not experiences to live the Italian Riviera to the fullest

Silent Disco night in Sestri Levante

NOTE FROM THE ED. Currently, I am leading sessions that concentrate on cross-cultural destination storytelling and experiential travel within a specialized course on 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, which is organized by the Fondazione ITS Turismo Liguria in Santa Margherita Ligure. Liguria is the focal point for various in-class activities tailored to an engaged group of Generation Z students. This post is the third installment in a series of four. My students have worked in peer-to-peer mode.

I am delighted to share the outcomes of their efforts. 

Luisa Puppo

Still stuck with your old-fashioned, boring-to-death idea of the Italian Riviera, the ribbon winding its way between the Côte d’Azur and Tuscany? Vespa, Dolce vita and Cinque Terre? Good news, there’s still life for under-80 visitors: just follow our local tips to fully live a real Liguria experience – watch out, you may never want to go back home!

P.S. Don’t forget sunscreen protection. 

-      1 Find your ‘perfect match’ during the Torta dei Fieschi

What’s more typical in the Riviera nightlife than a sagra (local village fair)? Lavagna offers you a romantic twist: music, fun and . . . one of the world’s biggest cake. Share a slice with the potential “soulmate” you’ll meet while playing il gioco della torta (the cake’s game), in the medieval revival atmosphere.

-      2 Wander around the Mediterranean maquis in Punta Manara

Sick of shopping and eating (delicious) cuisine? Do you know the carruggio of Sestri Levante like the palm of your hand? Take a different path, from the village center to the very top of Sestri Levante, Punta Manara. Look, it’s the bay!

-      3 Shut up and dance! Live your silent disco night in Sestri Levante

Save the date!

If you have the chance to visit Sestri Levante in August there’s a not-to-miss event in one of the most beautiful bays in Italy: Silent Disco in the baia del silenzio (silent bay). Pretty obvious, no? Wear the headphones, dance on the beach, under the stars, see you there! 

-      4 Be wowed by the Barcarolata, the traditional boat carnival in Sestri Levante

Participate to the mid-summer boat-carnival (relax, you’ll need no costume) in the Baia del Silenzio. Have a laugh at local irony, be charmed by the final fireworks show. Hurry, take your spot while you still can!

-      5 Bike through the beauty of the Cinque Terre

The cycle path that connects Framura and Levanto is famous throughout the Riviera for its Mediterranean landscapes and natural coves. Sea breeze and gentle sun will make your experience a real daydream. Take some time for yourself and relax: it’s Cinque Terre at its finest, forget those overcrowded train stations.

-     6 Hop on board the ferry in Genova Pegli and hop off in the Porto Antico, your gateway to the historical center of the Superba

Loving the Ligurian Sea? Want more? Hop on this boat trip from Pegli (keep your eyes open, you may see some dolphins!) to Porto Antico, visit the Galata Sea museum and the submarine, enjoy aperitivo in Genoa’s historical center. You’ll thank us later.

-      7 Learn how to make pesto like a real nonna

Photos are cool, but . . . bring home something real from your Riviera holidays, such as the traditional pesto chef know-how. Many options are available, find the one that fits you best to satisfy your typical cuisine hunger. Back home you’re going to make a hell of an impression.

-      8 Taste the one and only focaccia al formaggio di Recco IGP

Legend says that the locals invented focaccia al formaggio di Recco IGP (cheese focaccia) in the countryside, protecting themselves from pirates (thanks, pirates). Taste one of the most unique courses in Riviera di Levante cuisine - watch out, it’s highly addictive!

-      9 Dive into Genoa Aquarium and . . . dine with the sharks

Don’t miss the opportunity to visit Europe’s largest aquarium and live a hard-to-forget experience: to have dinner with the shark, the sea’s deadliest killer. It’s the definitive ice-breaking anecdote, right?

-      10 Cheese, anyone?

Once upon a time, behind the shining sea, over the rocky mountains of the entroterra of the Rivera di Levante. . . there’s Santo Stefano d’Aveto, with its country atmosphere, amazing hikes and typical cheese production, a real well-kept secret (but since you’re one of us, now . . .).

-      11 Surf, Sup, or just chill out in Varazze

For pros or beginners, Varazze’s waves fit everyone. Considered as one of the best spot in Italy for sea sports, the beach of this resort town of the Riviera di Ponente offers you the possibility to surf, sup or just lay back and chill. No need to decide, all for one, Varazze for all. 

-      12 (Don’t) lose your way in Toirano caves

Toirano is home to some of the most visited, best-preserved caves in the western Riviera, known for the unique atmosphere and the prehistoric life traces. A truly out-of-this-world experience.

 

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.

Feel free to share!

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.

Sweet Escape in Liguria: 12 miss-not experiences in the Italian Riviera

 

Sunset in Genoa - Photo credits - Alice Lintas

NOTE FROM THE ED. I am currently delivering sessions dedicated to cross-cultural destination storytelling and experiential travel within a specialisation 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, Fondazione ITS Turismo Liguria) in Santa Margherita Ligure. 

Liguria (a.k.a. the Italian Riviera) is the case study of an array of in-basket activities I share with attendees (a lively Generation Z group). This post is the first of a series of releases that will follow in the following weeks. Noemi, Alice, Alma and Alice selected a target (young couples, 18-30 years old) and a theme that definitely suits Valentine's Day). I am happy to host the "fruit of their toil", which includes the amazing picture above, in this blog.

Read and share!

Luisa Puppo

Sweet Escape in Liguria: 12 miss-not experiences in the Italian Riviera

Are you a young couple who wants to explore the Italian Riviera during a romantic getaway? 

Fall under the spell of Ligurian landscapes, intrigued by its romance and history, and follow local advice - our Magnificent Dozen. 

Discover the astonishing coastal and countryside charms of Liguria, which stretches from the border with the Côte d'Azur to Tuscany. 

 

1 - Fall in love with Camogli 

Camogli is the iconic Ligurian fishermen's village of the Riviera di Levante, known for its tiny marina and the bright pastel façades of its seaside promenade. 

Are you looking for something unique to do? Marvel at the Cuori e nodi di amore: a net, woven by the fishermen of Camogli, hung in Via al Molo, where you can hang your personalized heart-shaped locks to celebrate your love in front of the Mediterranean sea.

2 - Stroll along the Via dell'Amore

This paved path overlooking the sea joins (1 km) the perched villages of Riomaggiore and Manarola in the Cinque Terre. According to local lore, its name was the invention of an anonymous rambler who - as he was walking along the enchanted path - wrote Via dell'Amore on a shutter. A famous journalist wrote about it: the sparkle (in the long run) of a huge increase in tourists, but above all, in lovers.

Nowadays, the trail entry fee includes the guided tour on the open stretch of the Via dell'Amore and access to the Castle of Riomaggiore.

3 - Live the magic of the fairytale walk on the plunging coastline in Nervi 

Have a walk close to the seaside on the unique Nervi promenade and enjoy the contrast between the brick-coloured tiles and the blue benches and handrails, reminding you of the colour of the sea. The sun on your skin, the sound of the waves and the local flora make it the perfect place for a romantic wander hand in hand with your lover.

4 - Ramble in the wonderful village of Tellaro, the borgo loved by poets

Tellaro overlooks the Gulf of La Spezia, also known as the Gulf of Poets. Its name derives from the several artists and writers who stayed there and were so fascinated that they celebrated this evocative place in their works.  The village was described as "a nirvana between sea and sky, between the rocks and the green mountain". Bring your collection of masterpieces by one of the icons who lived there, such as Percy Bysshe Shelley, David Herbert Lawrence or Lord Byron. 

D. H. Lawrence, in one of his letters, wrote: “If you want to visit a place to rest in Italy, I suggest you Tellaro. It's beautiful here. I sit on the rocks facing the sea and I write all day. It's a dream."

Tellaro is also famous for the legend of the "bell-ringer octopus": in 1660, a giant octopus woke up and saved the population at night by ringing the bells of the Church of San Giorgio during a pirate raid.

5 - Taste an apericena with Genoese specialities on the scenic terrace of Just Peruzzi, in Bogliasco

At an affordable price, taste small courses of Ligurian food such as gnocchetti al pesto, focaccia al formaggio and other tasty appetizers.

All this while sipping a glass of wine and admiring a vivid sunset over the sea of the Riviera di Levante.

6 - Enjoy the breathtaking view from the Torre Aurora in Monterosso

This restaurant and cocktail bar is scenically located in Monterosso, one of the villages of the Cinque Terre, inside the homonymous historical tower. 

 Nowadays, the building divides the ancient part of the village from the more recent one. 

This is the perfect place for lovers of sea atmosphere and good food (especially for fish lovers) who wish to enjoy a drink or an intimate dinner while sipping a glass of Vermentino in front of a colourful sunset.

7 - Dine at the Officina, a renowned promontory restaurant in Arenzano

After a nice swim in front of the cosy beaches of Arenzano (only a stone’s throw from western Genoa), enjoy a nice dinner in one of the most renowned restaurants in the area. Even if everything on the menu is excellent, we recommend tasting their huge pizzas that no dish can contain.

8 - Pamper yourself with delicious baci di Alassio

Baci di Alassio represents a mouthwatering treat made of hazelnut flour and stuffed with an irresistible chocolate ganache to share with your soulmate. Enjoy them in front of the Muretto di Alassio, its ceramic tiles covered with celebrities' signatures. 

9 - Tired of the seascapes? Chill out in the Acquasanta SPA 

The thermal and depurative water of this borgo in the first entroterra of the Genoese Ponente has beneficial and healing effects for everyone. Inhaling the nebulized thermal water (at spring temperature) is an excellent cure. 

The thermal water is the core part of the entire wellness area, which also includes indoor pools, an outdoor pool and relaxation areas. Relish the Turkish bath, the sauna, and the nebulization room with thermal water in the SPA area. 

10 - Wander around the tiny medieval hill town of Montalto Ligure, known as the lovers' town

According to a legend, this small borgo of the entroterra of Sanremo sheltered two young lovers. The village was established in the 13th century when this young married couple ran away because they could not stay together. The couple remained hidden for a long time. Relatives and friends came to visit and, falling in love with the breathtaking place, they decided to stay and live there. 

11 - Gawk at Genoa's panorama from Spianata Castelletto

On the hill overlooking the Palazzi dei Rolli, enjoy the landscape of Genoa while cooling off your tastebuds with a granita at Don Paolo's (the tastiest Sicilian granita in town).

Admire the slate roofs of the old centre, medieval towers and Baroque domes, the sea animated by modern ships and ancient memories, the heights of the city filled with parks, villas, sanctuaries and fortresses.

12 - Gaze at the dramatic sunset over the Porto Antico

Close to the city centre, ride the huge Genova Wheel (45 m) and dive into the amazing sight of the Sun meeting with the skyline. On clear days, visibility is measured in tens of kilometres. 

 

Alma Argenziano

Noemi Calamia

Alice Lintas

Alice Rossi

12 things to do in Liguria - word cloud corso ITS TURISMO