A Guide to Italy's Liguria Region

Think of the north west coast of Italy and Tuscany immediately comes to mind. Its popular sea coast with its long beaches is only one facet of this jewel of a region. From its hill-top towns to the magnificent centres of Siena and Florence, its unique regional identity hangs together in a most satisfying way. The varied and beautiful landscape alone would be sufficient to captivate the visitor but add to this layer on layer of history and culture stretching from the remarkably sophisticated Etruscans through Roman, Goth, Lombard, Byzantine and Frank occupations to the present day and you find a region which inspires many visitors to return again and again.

Less well known but loved by Ezra Pound, Lord Byron, Ernest Hemingway, Shelly and his wife Mary Wollstonecraft; is the coastal region of Liguria. Stretching along the coastline from Tuscany to Italy's western border with France the region is one of Italy's smallest. The ring of mountains beyond the coast and the maritime influence of the Mediterranean together create a mild climate the whole year round with average winter temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees C and average summer temperatures of 23-24 degrees C. Woods cover half the total area of Liguria with 12% of the region being Natural reserves.

The capital of the region is Genoa, Italy's largest port and home of Christopher Columbus. The city sits between two 'Rivieras', the Riviera di Ponente to the west and the Riviera di Levante to the east. With its sea-side resorts such as San Remo, the Riviera di Ponente has until recently been the more popular with visitors but more and more people are re-discovering what drew artists and writers to the Riviera di Levante and in particular the dramatic scenery and colourful villages of the Cinqueterre region. The region takes its name from five small villages; Corniglia, Manarola, Monterosso al Mare, Riomaggiore and Vernazza. They cling to the edge of the land as it plunges down to the sea. Virtually inaccessible by road, the villages are linked by train and by precipitous hiking trails or 'sentieri'. Tourist boats also offer access to the different areas from Easter to September.

Only a few hours' drive away and with cheap car hire Rome airport is a good place to begin your adventure and let your cares melt away as you leave the busy capital behind and drive through more and more beautiful landscape to your chosen destination.