Culture

Mountains and steep cliffs that rise loftily out of the Tyrrheanean Sea in the most northerly part of the Mediterranean. This is the fascinating landscape that will accompany and impress you on your journey through this historically rich and dynamic region. The capital Genoa, one of the most important ports in the Mediterranean and home to Christopher Columbus, was already in the middle ages a powerful maritime state.Today you wll find impressive buildings, elegant mansions and wonderful churches all of which bear witness to this glorious past and which blend in perfectly with the modern city. In the other provinces of Liguria (Imperia, La Spezia and Savona, two other important harbours) there are also numerous historical treasures. An intact and luxuriant Mediterranean vegetation can be found in the mountain regions of Portofino and Cinqueterre. On the other hand Portovenere is a small jewel on the Mediterranean coast. San Remo is one of Italy's most famous bathing resorts and the place where the annual Italian pop music festival takes place. The beautiful Benedict monastery S. Fruttuoso merits special attention. And needless to say there are many other important historical monuments to be explored.