Camogli | Genova Province

CAMOGLI | LIGURIA REGION

camogli liguria

Camogli (Camuggi in Genoese dialect) is a small Italian fishing village and tourist resort located on the west side of the peninsula of Portofino, on the Golfo Paradiso at the Riviera di Levante, in the province of Genoa on the Italian Riviera. its population was of 5582 inhabitants. The name Camogli is of disputed but ancient origins. Camogli is one of the largest part of the Parco Naturale Regionale di Portofino, and a part of the Portofino Marine Protected Area.

Camogli was in the late Middle Ages a considerable seaport. In its heyday, the fleet consisted of hundreds of Camoglis Tall Ships. It was called the "city of a thousand white sails." 1798, the city has a large contingent of Napoleon's fleet, which was beaten in Egyptian waters of the Nile by Admiral Nelson. This prestigious naval college founded in 1874, Cristoforo Colombo is the nautical tradition as well as a retirement home for masters. In 1880 the city had (in a population of 12,000) 500 patented ship captains. The former fishing village of Camogli, which now lives mainly from tourism, is known for its colorful houses that line behind the beach. The colors once helped the fishermen of Camogli, easier to catch the way back to their port. Known until today nationwide, the first division of the local swimming club water polo RN Camogli to have won after the Second World War, several Italian championships. A beachfront swimming pool is one of the most important recent buildings.

Genova | Genova Province

GENOVA | LIGURIA REGION

genoa city center

Genoa is the capital of the Genova Province and Liguria Region.  It is the sixth largest city in Italy with a population of 608,826 within its administrative limits. The urban zone of Genoa extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 718,896. The urban area of Genoa has a population of 800,709. Over 1.5 million people live in the metropolitan area. Genoa is one of Europe's largest cities on the Mediterranean Sea and the largest seaport in Italy. Genoa has been nicknamed la Superba ("the Proud one") due to its glorious past and impressive landmarks. Part of the old town of Genoa was added to the World Heritage List (UNESCO) in 2006. The city's rich art, music, gastronomy, architecture and history allowed it to become the 2004 European Capital of Culture. It is the birthplace of Christopher Columbus and Niccolo Paganini. Genoa, which forms the southern corner of the Milan-Turin-Genoa industrial triangle of north-west Italy, is one of the country’s major economic centres. The city has hosted massive shipyards and steelworks since the 19th century, and its solid financial sector dates back to the Middle Ages. The Bank of Saint George, founded in 1407, is among the oldest in the world and has played an important role in the city’s prosperity since the middle of the 15th century.

The city of Genoa covers an area of between the Ligurian Sea and the Apennine Mountains. The city stretches along the coast for about from the neighbourhood of Voltri to Nervi, and for from the coast to the north along the valleys Polcevera and Bisagno. The territory of Genoa can then be popularly divided into 5 main zones: the centre, the west, the east, the Polcevera and the Bisagno Valley. Genoa is adjacent to two popular Ligurian vacation spots, Camogli and Portofino. In the metropolitan area of Genoa lies Aveto Natural Regional Park.

Portofino | Genova Province

PORTOFINO | LIGURIA REGION

Portofino Italy, Explore Liguria

Portofino sits on a peninsula in the Tigullio Golf east of Genoa in the northern Italian region of Liguria. Portofino is part of the Italian Riviera. Santa Margherita Ligure and Camogli, seaside towns also worth visiting, are the nearest towns. Camogli is a lovely fishing village with pastel houses and a pebbly beach while Santa Margherita is a larger resort town.

Portofino is known as the resort get away of the rich and famous, but there is much more to see here than just people. Portofino is a picturesque, half-moon shaped seaside village with pastel houses lining the shore of the harbor. Portofino has shops, restaurants, cafes, and luxury hotels. Portofino's crystalline green waters reveal a myriad display of aquatic life. A castle sits atop the hill overlooking the village. There are also opportunities for hiking, biking, diving, and boating.

When is the best time of the year to visit the Italian Riviera?

The Italian Riviera can become extremely crowded during the summer months, when vehicle traffic along the winding roads between the tiny towns becomes congested. If you go in the summer, you might want to avoid weekends and national holidays. The presence of the sea and the protection of the mountains produces an enviable mild climate — both in the winter and summer. The best months to visit are April, May, late September and October. This way you can avoid the summer crowds and still enjoy the warmer weather (and go into the water, if you like). Try to avoid driving here in the summer months, but if it is your only choice go with the idea to relax and just lounge around.

The best places to stay in the Italian Riviera?

Since the Italian Riviera is such a frequented tourist destination, there’s a wide range of accommodation options. Listed are some of the best places to stay on the Italia Riviera.

  • Hotel Splendido e Splendido Mare, Portofino. If you are not on a budget this is the place to stay. The property features a wellness center and a heated saltwater pool. The annexed restaurant La Terrazza is excellent and specializes in seafood.
  • Excelsior Palace Hotel, Rapallo. This luxurious hotel has panoramic views over the Gulf of Tigullio and is surrounded by lavish gardens. Most rooms have a sea view. The hotel includes two restaurants, Lord Byron with view over the Rapallo harbor, and Eden Roc, on the hotel’s private beach. It also features a swimming pool and a wellness center.
  • Imperiale Palace Hotel, Santa Margherita Ligure. This hotel is housed in a 19th-century villa that used to belong to an aristocratic family. It’s surrounded by lavish gardens, and features a private beach and views over the bay. There is a swimming pool, a gym and a sea view restaurant — perfect for romantic dinners. 

Some of the best places to eat in the Italian Riviera?

Besides a charming seaside location, the towns of the Italian Riviera are filled with plenty of trattorias serving up appealing Ligurian food. These are some of our favorite places to eat in the Italian Riviera:

  • Pitosforo, Portofino. Internationally renowned and popular with celebrities, this restaurant is located right on the water in the town’s piazzetta. Pitosforo specializes in Ligurian cuisine with a creative touch.
  • Da U Batti, Portofino. Located just behind the piazzetta in a romantic setting, surrounded by the old houses once belonging to fishermen, this restaurant specializes in seafood and is famous for the legendary Scampi alla Batti. But don't ask for the recipe — it's a secret.
  • L’Insolita Zuppa, Santa Margherita Ligure. Owned by husband and wife Luca and Margherita, this restaurant specializes in local cuisine with a menu that changes according to seasons and product availability. Some of its specialties are homemade ravioli, mezzelune stuffed with pesto and potato, and l'insolita zuppa — which means "unusual soup" and has given the name to the restaurant.

Rapallo | Genova Province

RAPALLO | LIGURIA REGION

rapallo liguria

The Town of Rapallo is part of the Tigullio Gulf and is located between Portofino and Chiavari, 24 km (15 mi) east of the city of Genoa at the innermost point of the Gulf of Rapallo, and is included in the Parco Naturale Regionale di Portofino.

Rapallo has been known for its climate that made it over the years the winter residence of preference for most of the affluent Italians living in the North West of Italy. Its proximity to the coast makes for mild winters where people can enjoy easy strolls on the sunny promenade and the golfers can enjoy one of the oldest courses in Italy, an 18 hole course founded in 1930 and open all year around.

Rapallo was the scene of many important naval encounters, and during the centuris it was attacked and sacked by the Ottomans and pirates. In late 1917, an Anglo-Franco-Italian conference met at Rapallo following the disastrous defeat of the Italian forces by the Germans and Austrians at Caporetto (now Korbarid, Slovenia). It was decided to create a supreme war council at Versailles and to shift some French and British troops to the Italian front.

On November 12, 1920, Italy and the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (later renamed Yugoslavia) signed the Treaty of Rapallo, which resolved the frontier issues between them without reference to the other Allies. Italy acquired the strategically important crest of the Julian Alps as her boundary in the northeast. Also concluded at Rapallo was the Russian-German treaty of April 1922.

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