Italy Two Centre Holidays - Liguria

Liguria is simple, stylish, sophisticated; the place where Italians choose to spend their summer months. The Ligurian coast sweeps from the French Border to Tuscany, the varied landscape reflecting the distinct character of Liguria’s two Rivieras. The Ponente is a quaint scene of chalky cliffs that arch around the Cinque Terre National Park, dotted with pastel houses and luscious gardens, whilst the craggy mountains of the Levante are covered with forests of chestnut trees.

The region’s most famous town is Portofino, a tiny fishing village that has blossomed into one of Italy’s premier resorts; a heady mix of picturesque charm and high-octane glamour, with multi-coloured houses, designer boutiques and innovative galleries. For a more natural beauty wander the path-strewn hills to the crumbling Monastery in San Fruttuoso Cove, before settling down in a restaurant to a dish drizzled with pesto Genovese, the regional speciality. History buffs should seek out the Roman ruins in Ventimiglia and the region’s capital Genoa, a hilly port of winding streets weighted with grand medieval palaces.