Liguria, one of the most famous centers of international tourism, is by definition the Riviera Italiana stretching in a narrow ribbon of 250 miles from the French boarder to Tuscany.

The ancestors of this region were one of the first inhabitants of Italy. In the Balzi Rossi caves near Grimaldi, archeologists have discovered one of the earliest evidences of humanity in Europe: small sculptures and graffiti left by the Grimaldi Man - an ancestor who walked in Paleolithic times.

The Ligurians were fierce mountaineers and sailors, valiant in war. More than 12,000 years ago, they occupied the territories extending from the North Sea to Sicily. Later, they settled in the Regione Tirrenica from Marsiglia to the Fiume Po. Of unknown origin, their language has similarity to the Gallic parlance, the old French dialect. In the 5th century BC, Genoa became the capital of Liguria.

Like so much of Italy, Liguria is a land of contrasts, a place of seaside resort towns in the style of Cannes and Monaco - dozens and dozens of sandy strands; rocky coves and pebbly beaches; some of the most beautiful stretches of coast where lush forests of lemon trees, herbs, flowers, almond and pines send forth sweet-smelling breezes; and terraced hillsides that produce olive oil considered one of the most delicate grown in Italy. Traveling by train or by car, you elevate your senses to a spectacular journey along the Ligurian coast. From the darkness of tunnel after tunnel, the warm sunlight bursts forth with the glimmering aquamarine sea at your side.

Liguria, which is mostly hills, has been converted throughout the centuries into terraced cultivation of olives and flowers which are sold throughout the world. The land provides colored marble and ornamental stone. Ancient industries of oil, pasta, velvet, paper, and glass are famous in Europe. But the most important are the modern industries of metallurgy, mechanics, pharmaceutics, naval construction, and petroleum refinery.

Genova

Genova is Italy's largest commercial and naval port. This magnificent city is at the center of the Golfo Ligure, with western and eastern rivieras on each side. Even before she became the rival of Venice in the Middle Ages, Genova was a maritime city trading with Mediterranean peoples, Greeks, Etruscans, Phoenicians, and Celts. Lanzarotto Malocello, a Genovese, was the first European to land on the Canary Islands.

Known as La Superba (The Proud), Genova developed a distinct individualism through the works of her great men. Manuele Pessagno was an admiral of the King of Portugal in the 14th century. Enrico Marchese built ships in France for Philippe the Fair. Cristoforo Colombo discovered America while in the service of the King of Spain. Napoleone Buonaparte, born in Corsica in 1769, was of a Florentine family. By the 16th century, Genova lost most of her military and economic power. She suffered a further setback in morale in 1768 when, unable to cope with the guerrilla uprising in Corsica, she ceded it to France.

Genova, however, has lost none of her regal bearing. This aristocratic city is full of superb palaces. From the top of the hills, a stupendous view embraces the promontory of Portofino on the east and the Lanterna (Lighthouse) guarding the western entrance of the old port, which brought her centuries of glory.

Riviera di Levante

Most tourists come to Liguria for its seashore resorts that have been the vacationing places for Italians for centuries. Ligurians have two names for their coastline: one that stretches from France to Genova is called La Riviera di Ponente; the other half that lies on the Italian peninsula is La Riviera di Levante. It is this fascinating side of Liguria that I offer you.

The east side of Liguria, La Riviera di Levante, is the most beautiful part of the Italian Riviera. Extending about 110 miles, with the Mar Ligure on one side and hillsides on the other, it is one of the most preferred places in Italy. The narrow road winds over rocky cliffs and wind-swept promontories; then, through old pine forests and colorful fishing villages, it reaches the spectacular tiny port at Portofino and the vast bay at La Spezia.

Camogli is the first of many charming villages you meet after leaving Genova. Here still exists a peaceful fishing civilization that is pretty much unchanged for centuries. Now, take either the boat or walk the three-hour trail to San Fruttuoso, an isolated village reached only by sea or on foot.

Take the next ferry to Portofino - a corner of heaven. This tiny multicolored village and its miniature cove are still among the most beautiful spots on earth. From here, walk three miles to its outskirts to the Golfo del Tigullio with Santa Margherita Ligure and the beach of Paraggi. Ferries travel frequently from Portofino to Santa Margherita Ligure and to Rapallo, which is dominated by romantic Roman ruins.

From the charming Zoagli, Chiavari and Lavagna, a succession of peaceful villages culminate in the most famous corner of paradise: Le Cinque Terre (The Five Lands). This particular region, with Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore has rocky backdrops and dark vegetation overlooking an intensely colored sea.  Perched above the cliffs, archaic architectures and medieval castles rise above the water. Here, you dream of a terrestrial paradise!