NEW 2024 LIGURIA AND FRENCH RIVIERA

1 DAY ARRIVAL IN LIGURIA
Arrival on the Riviera: land of clours. Accomodation for example in Alassio, Diano Marina or Sanremo. Dinner and overnight.

2 DAY SANREMO AND BUSSANA VECCHIA
Breakfast and visit of Sanremo known as “city of flowers”and of the “italian song festival”. The tour crosses the Old City, known as “La Pigna” due to its characteristic shape that reminds that of a pinecone. On top of the “Pigna” stands the beautiful Sanctuary of Madonna della Costa. You will admire the Cathedral, a Russian church and the Basilic of San Siro of the ancient Rome. Before reaching Bussana we suggest a visit of the most important mediterranean flower’s market just outside Sanremo, where you can admire various types of cut-flowers. The tour goes on to Bussana whare there will be a shuttle bus service waiting for you in order to reach Bussana Vecchia (old): devasted by an earthquake in 1887 and abandoned. This uniquemedieval village has been reborn and is now inhabited by an international artists community. Old Bussana is a completely pedestrian village, a ghost town where you can admire small workshops os different artists coming from all over. (If you like walking you can reach Bussana Vecchia with a walk of 2 Km immerse in the Ligurian gorgeous nature with olive trees, mediterranean flowers and vineyard with a stunning view over the sea. To make this day unforgettable we suggest a stop in a typical restaurant for a tasting of ligurian products.

3 DAY MONTECARLO AND NICE
After breakfast departure to France. Squeezed into less than 2 square Km of space, Monaco is the 2nd smallest country in the world. The soverein state has its own unique language, Monegasque, although you’ll hear French spoken everywhere.
You will explore with local guide the old stone Monaco Cathedral, Princess Grace's final resting place. Enjoy walking through the city's streets with your guide, gazing out over the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean, and soaking in Monaco's aura of wealth and glamour. Departure to Nice and meeting with local guide. With its Promenade des Anglais lined with palm trees and turquoise beaches, the capital of the French Riviera is a change of scenery that is irresistibly exotic for visitors, whatever their country of origin. Your guide will let you discover little corners of Russia, Asia, America and Southern Africa which are hidden in Nice. And the good news is, you won't have to change your wardrobe to go from a Soviet atmosphere to a tropical one! After the visit free time in the city center and back to the Hotel. Dinner and overnight.

4 DAY UNUSUAL LIGURIAN RIVIERA DI PONENTE
Breakfast and all day with private local guide to discover lovely Liguria di Ponente with Its small villages. Let’s start with Cervo. The he village has a very long history. In the second century BC, the Romans established a stopping place here on the Via Aurelia, at that time an important trade route leading to France and Spain.
Most of your time will be spent simply strolling along the steep and winding cobbled streets, a pedestrianised region lined with ancient stone houses and various small shops and galleries. You can also see part of the original defensive walls, built in the 16th century to protect Cervo. You will reach the elegant church of San Giovanni Battista (Saint John the Baptist) that stands above Cervo and has a facade that is a good example of the local baroque architecture. And you will admire the castle, that is the oldest building in the village. The visit goes on to Laigueglia, one of the quieter, more traditional resorts along the coast of western Liguria. You will see the picturesque pier, The Church of St.Matthew in Baroque style with small towers with decorative majolica domes to either side of the main facade. Another interesting monument is the round tower on the seafront, which was built in the 16th century to help defend the town from pirate attacks. Originally there were three of these towers but the other two were demolished under Napoleon to allow building works to be carried out. If you desire we suggest to reach by walking (2 Km) the medieval town of Colla Micheri. A square built with a particular smooth stone, grey and white, represents clear mystical references. The church of San Sebastiano, famous for its rich colours and a plaque erected in memory of the passage of Pope Pius VII while returning from his French exile. The tour will show you the main plants of the coastal vegetation, in a scenic setting of great beauty. In the afternoon the tour will finish with the enchanting medieval village of Dolceacqua, considered as one of the most interesting Italian villages. Castle of the Doria family, the Monet bridge, ateliers of artists and shops of local products such as the Rossese wine and the “michetta”, a kind of sweet bun, local specialty since 1300! Wine tasting to a local producer. Dinner and overnight.


5 DAY GULF OF TIGULLIO: Portofino and Santa Margherita
Breakfast and departure to the eastern Liguria. Meeting with the tour guide to discover Gulf of Tigullio (Camogli, San Fruttuoso, Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure). Camogli is a small fisherman village, a pleasant surprise to discover on the Ligurian Riviera. This place is considered one of the best hamlets to experience the beauty of the typical Ligurian houses-towers. While in the past the area was full of warehouses with fishing equipment and fishing boat workshops, the new waterfront is now the center of tourist life in the city. Then you can reach by boat San Fruttuoso, a small fisherman village located in a beautiful bay at the foot of Monte Portofino. This extraordinary location is dominated by the Abbey of San Fruttuoso di Capodimonte, a monument, now part of the Italian Fund for the Environment, with very ancient origins dating back to the 8th century. The abbey is surrounded by a small beach, a church, a tower of the Doria family and some fishermen's houses. San Fruttuoso is also famous for the underwater statue of Christ of the Abyss, 15 meters deep beneath the sea surface. It is possible to see it when the sea is clear! With another boat you arrive at the bay of Portofino, an amazing jewel located in the lush vegetation of the Promontory. Its tall and colorful houses, arranged in a semicircle around the town square, make Portofino one of the most acclaimed tourist resorts in the world. The atmosphere brings to mind moments of a faraway past, ancient traditions linked to the sea, and the skillful arts that embody the colors and scents of Liguria. Its park is an oasis of peace where you can walk completely surrounded by nature, a breathtaking scenery.
After a short walk in the place called "I Tre Laghi", with a breathtaking view of Portofino, visit to a farm, where you start the tasting of olive oil together with the tasting of Nostralinowine. An agronomist will explain the secrets of the products and in the meantime you will taste the bruschetta with sauces and fresh tomatoes, black olives of Niasca, vegetable pie, focaccia and a selection of canapés with jam.
After lunch it is possible to take a boat to Santa Margherita Ligure. Here is a walk that runs simultaneously to the underlying path, but is completely surrounded by greenery and offers numerous panoramic views. At the end transfer to the hotel in Genova or La Spezia. Dinner and Overnight.


6 DAY GENOVA
Breakfast and departure to Genova. Maybe Genoa is not one of the most famous italian cities, but you are going to be surprised discovering how beautiful it is, walking around its streets, its promenades, its narrow ways. You will find a city with a glorious history: a history of sea, ships, battles, riches, bravery, devotion but also greed, jealousy and pride.The panoiramic tour starts from the Aquarium park and proceeds to Piazza Cavour and Corso Quadrio, along the city walls, to the old fishing village. You will visit the Albaro quarter, with its Liberty style, Piazza della Vittoria until Piazza Manin and Piazza Dante. From here the tour goes on on foot. You will admire the Ducal Palace, the Cathedral, Columbu’s house, Soprana Gate, Piazza San Matteo, Campetto and the old port. After the full day visit free time for your own shopping. Back to the Hotel. Dinner and overnight.

7 DAY 5 TERRE BY TRAIN
Breakfast and meeting with the tour guide to discover the Cinque Terre, a natural paradise where nature and man have been able to find the right balance and harmony. The Cinque Terre are five small halets (Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola, Corniglia, Riomaggiore) famous all over the world. All five countries are located on the mountain overlooking the sea, surrounded by beautiful vineyards and small roads. Each city is in fact connected to one another through paths. The houses are typically Ligurian, painted in pastel colors and built as close to each other as possible. Since 1997 they have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. It begins with a visit to discover Monterosso which is the more western city of Cinque Terre. Monterosso is certainly a good place to admire the sunset on the beach. The "Aurora Tower" divides the old medieval hamlet from the new part of the village. The old hamlet is dominated by the ruins of the castle, the typical tower-houses and the "carrugi". After visiting Monterosso continue to Vernazza considered by many to be the most beautiful hamlet in Cinque Terre. There is a castle belonging to the Doria family, a symbol of its importance for the old economy. After lunch we will continue to Manarola. The city lies on a rugged promontory of dark rock. The square is located in the highest part of the city. After passing through its colored houses, transfer to "Groppo di Manarola" to visit a winery where a guide will show the various processes. At the end of the visit, tasting of wines accompanied by typical products. In one day is not suggested to visit all five villages because It will be done too quickly. Back to the Hotel. Dinner and overnight.

8 DAY DEPARTURE