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| 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
