Italy, the Ligurian coast. Beaches of the Ligurian coast. Rest on the Ligurian coast

It would be a mistake to think that the Côte d'Azur ends where France ends and Italy begins. The Ligurian coast is a logical extension of the famous Riviera. The same picturesque rocks, riotous Mediterranean vegetation, colorful villages that have preserved the elusive charm of the former fishing villages ... And at the same time the same high level of service! Curved graceful horseshoe along the Ligurian Sea, this coast is not in vain called the Flower Riviera. Until Tuscany, the eye is pleased with the bizarre rocks (in fact, the spurs of the Alps), houses that descend on steep cliffs directly to the emerald-clear sea, and oleanders along the roads. The secluded bays seemed to have come down from the advertising posters. And the names they have eloquent: Paradise, Fairy, Echo of the Sea, Sirens ... Let's consider where to stay on the Ligurian coast, what kind of beaches and what type of hotels to choose.

The climate and characteristic features of the coast

What can Italy and Antibam oppose to? The Ligurian coast is safely sheltered from the cold north winds of the Alps. Thanks to this in this region, the tourist season lasts from the beginning of May to the very end of October. The thermometer's column stably holds at +22 ... +28 degrees Celsius. The temperature is more than comfortable, is not it? Ringing heat, as in Tuscany, Liguria is not, because the cool summer brings sea winds. With a fairly high humidity, the local climate is easily tolerated. By the way, glamor does not end on the French Riviera. In Italy, also rest Hollywood stars, politicians of the first magnitude and businessmen. But the prices for some goods and services are somewhat democratic. And this is already evident in the border Ventimiglia. True, there is one drawback, compared with France or Spain. These are toll beaches. On some of them the entrance costs fifteen euros!

Administrative subordination of resorts

The Italian province of Liguria stretches along the Gulf of Genoa for more than two hundred kilometers. Popular resorts are almost continuous. In the middle of the Flower Riviera is the capital of the province - the brilliant white marble Genoa. The city divides the Ligurian coast of Italy, the map of which is represented here, in two halves. The western part is called Riviera di Ponente. To the east of Genoa to Tuscany the Riviera di Levante stretches. Both these parts have their own characteristics. Riviera di Ponente is considered a place of elite rest. Alassio, Bordighera and Diano Marina are often visited by celebrities. And the Riviera di Levante attracts tourists with charming landscapes, first-class beaches and bays with crystal clear water. The most famous resorts in this part of the Ligurian coast are Portofino, Santa Margherita and Rapallo.

Genoa

Wherever you spend your vacation on the Ligurian coast, and in this city is worth a visit. And not just to get on the plane - after all, Genoa has an international airport (named after Christopher Columbus). The capital of Liguria is self-sufficient. A lot of museums, ancient temples, a beautiful port, medieval walls and gates - you can see the sights here for weeks. And in Genoa there is the Oceanarium and ... one of the houses where Columbus was born. No, it's not a mistake, it's one of ... Those who have traveled the world many times know that different countries defend the right to assert that the father of the great seafarer was just with them. Whatever it was, Genoa has something to surprise the curious tourist. The city that emerged in the ancient era, the medieval Republic, the "Lady of the Seas", the throne of the Archbishop and the place where the University operates from the year four hundred and seventy-one - have left their mark on the architecture of the Ligurian capital. Hotels sometimes occupy ancient palaces and chic mansions of the century before last. But all this - city hotels that do not have their own beach.

Arenzano and Varazze

These cities of the Ligurian coast are located ten to thirty kilometers west of Genoa. In fact, Arenzano is the new suburb of the provincial capital. These are the typical resorts of the Riviera di Ponente. Chic seaside boulevards, an ideal climate with mild winters and not very hot summers, proximity to Genoa make these cities excellent places for family holidays. At the same time, Varazze can boast of ancient antiquities. There remained the remains of fortifications and the shipyard of the Roman sailing fort. And since the Middle Ages there is a company of the monastery church of St. Ambrose. But the main wealth of Varazze is a 1.5-kilometer sandy beach.

Spotorno, Finale Ligure and Pietra Ligure

Ten kilometers from Varazze and 40 km from Genoa is the old town of Spotorno. In addition to medieval and Renaissance attractions, this resort is famous for its parks and well-kept beaches. There are excellent conditions for practicing water sports. In the Final Ligure, pebbles are interrupted by a string of sand. Therefore, in this resort, the best hotels in Italy have their own beach. Curious tourists can visit the Benedictine monastery of the 16th century and several Romanesque churches. Of the five ancient bridges, three are in good condition. At this resort, fans like windsurfing, tennis, golf and horse riding like to relax, because there are all conditions for these sports. In Pietra Ligure, the sand does not end, and there are also hotels that have their own beach.

Alassio

This town is the uncrowned capital of the Riviera di Ponente. He is known far beyond Italy thanks to celebrities who regularly spend their holidays in this enchanting place with sandy beaches. This - a kind of response that can give Cannes, Nice and Monaco Liguria. Alassio boasts an interesting attraction - the wall of Muretto. This is part of the city fortifications, erected in the XVI century to protect against pirates. Covered with ceramic tiles, the wall served as a place for autographs of various celebrities. On it, Ernest Hemingway, Winston Churchill, Louis Armstrong, Sophia Loren, and others left their signatures. In addition to Murette, in Alassio there is a Romanesque church of St. Ambrose, other monuments of architecture. In the XIX century, doctors issued Alassio's sentence: the local climate and the sandy beach work wonders for lung patients. First there was the local, Italian, elite, and then the aristocracy from all over Europe. But even if you are doing well with your health, "Sun Bay" (the so-called local bay) will raise the tone and provide a good mood.

Laigueglia and Diano Marina

We continue to study the Ligurian coast. The map shows that to the west of Alassio, almost parting with it, is a small village of Laigueglia. Her story is firmly connected with the name of Tour Heyerdahl, a Norwegian archaeologist and traveler. In 1958, he was captivated by the provincial spirit of this typical Ligurian village and built a house here, along with restoring old houses on the hillside. The attention of tourists is attracted by the cupolas of the baroque church of St. Matthew covered with majolica. A sandy beach surrounded by majestic mountains will be an added bonus for those who have chosen this model resort for their holiday. Diano Marina is famous for the fact that there are budget hotels here. And in this resort there is a water park of attractions "Caravel".

San Remo and Bordighera

Every year in February there is a festival of pop songs, which Italy is proud of. The Ligurian Riviera di Ponente can not be described without mentioning San Remo. The capital of the Italian stage can please the visitors of the city with a concert hall, the legendary Casino and the Orthodox Church, which the Russian community built in the 1920s. A Bordighera, away from San Remo for twelve kilometers, has a very different, sporting fame. The Grand prix of the Formula 1 racing is held here. And Bordighera is also famous for her fireworks championship. In addition to interesting events, the resort can boast of a museum of rock carvings of primitive people.

Camogli

Now we will move to the resorts of the Ligurian coast of the Riviera di Levante. The most famous of them is the Ka-Moli. The name of the village is translated as "House of Women". In those days when tourists on the Ligurian coast still did not smell, all the men in the village went out to sea every morning. Their wives patiently waited for the return of the fishermen. Now the resort is famous for its bronze statue of Christ. Cristo degli Abyssi does not rise above the city, but on the contrary, is deepened into the sea for 15 meters. In calm the statue is perfectly visible - this is the clear water near the banks of Camogli. In the very town of tourists can see nice little houses, street-stairs, Benedictine abbey and palace of the XIII century. Only by sea you can reach the village of San Frutuozo. To attract early tourists, in May in Camogli, the Sagra del Pesce festival is held, where all participants are treated to fish fried in large frying pan.

Portofino

This former fishing village also likes to visit world celebrities. And the French writer Guy de Maupassant started the pilgrimage. He loved to come here and wrote about Portofino that "this is the realm of harmony, so contrasting with our vain world." The resort is located on the cape, so that the sand and pebble beaches of the Ligurian coast surround it from three sides. Since the time of the classic of French literature passed many years, and in modern Portofino there were shops, restaurants, ATMs, hotels and other signs of our bustling world. But nature still fascinates tourists with its pristine purity. Olives, pines, palms and cypresses climb the hillside, on top of which stands an ancient lighthouse.

Rapallo

This resort is located just forty kilometers east of Genoa. It is convenient for tourists who are planning an excursion vacation. If you are interested in Italy hotels with their own beach, take a look at the Excelsior Palace Hotel. In this oasis of refined relaxation there are rooms and suites, terraces facing directly to the sea. There are also the most popular restaurants in the area - panoramic "Lord Byron" with a buffet service and Eden Rock on the beach, working on the "a la carte" system. "Rapallo has its own historical sights. St. Francis of the 16th century, where several paintings of Borzon's brush are housed, and a collegiate church with a bell tower of the 17th century.The face of the town is lovely, painted in vivid colors, ancient houses against the backdrop of lush Mediterranean nature.This paradise is famous for its combination of provincial Silence, tranquility and luxurious service.

Santa Margherita Ligure

The resort is convenient for tourists traveling by car. Here the main automobile routes cross. You can easily reach Milan, Turin, Florence, Nice. Existing in the era of ancient Rome, Santa Margherita Ligure flourished during the Renaissance (as, indeed, all of Italy). The Ligurian coast in this place is called the Gulf of Tigullio. Most of the postcards of Santa Margherita represent the old port with the cascading cottages coming down to it. The seaside boulevard is decorated with an elegant Renaissance palace - Villa Durazzo, surrounded by gardens and fountains. The fact that Santa Margherita has become a resort in the century before last is evidenced by beautiful modernist mansions and palm-boulevard boulevards. There are often held flower fairs. At the same time, this is a small town in which young people like to rest: there are a lot of discos and clubs here.

Sestri Levante

This pearl of the Flower Riviera is located at the foot of a high rocky promontory. Its summit is crowned by the Church of San Nicolallo, erected in honor of the patron sailors in the Early Middle Ages. As the town stands on the promontory, it has at its disposal just two bays - Favole (Skazok) and Silenzio (Silence), which are famous for their beauty on the entire Ligurian coast of Italy. The hotels here are on the first line and have their own beach. You can recommend Miramare 4 *: 75 rooms and suites are located in an old white marble building. In addition to beach services, which are free for guests, the hotel also offers SPA treats, a variety of baths and procedures. Although the coastline is pebbly, the combination of high green rocks, turquoise sea with crystal clear water and uncomplicated aquamarine of the sky creates wonderful, enchanting landscapes. And Sestri Levante is famous for the fact that in the local park physicist Marconi set his experiments with broadcasting on ultrashort waves.