PlanningĀ your next Fabulous GayTrip?Ā See here how to plan an awesome summer on the Italian Riviera . I believe it's worth having a look at the Italian Riviera. This beautiful area of Italy, which stretches from San Remo to Pisa, all along the Ligurian Sea. Enclosed by the mountain chain formed by theĀ Maritime AlpsĀ and theĀ Apennines. Truly a vacation in-which you can have it all. From Big cityscapes to small beach harbor towns.
The Riviera's centre isĀ Genoa, which divides it into two main sections: the Riviera di Ponente (āthe coast of the setting sunā), extending westwards from Genoa to the French border; and the Riviera di Levante (āthe coast of the rising sunā) between Genoa and Capo Corvo.
It is famous for its particularly mild climate and relaxed way of life which, together with the charm of its old fishing ports and the beauty of its landscape, has made it a popular destination for travellers andĀ tourists.
Many villages and towns in the area are internationally known, such asĀ Portofino,Ā Bordighera,Ā LericiĀ and theĀ Cinque Terre.
The part of the Riviera di Ponente centred onĀ Savona, is called the "Riviera delle Palme" (the Riviera of palms); the part centred onĀ Sanremo, is the "Riviera dei Fiori", after the long-establishedĀ flowerĀ growing industry.
An awesome summer on the Italian Riviera
To help better plan your Gaycation, here is a brief description of the many destinations along the Riviera,
Sanremo
Sanremo is known as the City of Flowers (la CittĆ dei Fiori).Founded in Roman times, home to many cultural events, famously known as the Sanremo Music Festival and the MilanāSan Remo cycling classic. It's Mediterranean climate and attractive seacoast setting on the Italian Riviera make it a popular tourist destination.The closest airport to Sanremo is in France, the CĆ“te d'Azur International Airport airport in Nice, 75 minutes away by car or train. The railway connects the city to the other Ligurian cities like Imperia, Genoa and to Nice, Milan, Turin and Rome.
Imperia
Imperia is well known for the cultivation of flowers and olives, and is a popular summer destination for visitors. The local Piscina Felice Cascione indoor pool has hosted numerous national and international aquatics events.
Imperia consists of the two historical districts of Porto Maurizio and Oneglia, which lie on either side of the River Impero that gives its name to the city.
Porto Maurizio is situated on a peninsula to the west of the river, stretching along the coastline. It is the more colourful and wealthy district of the city, threaded by narrow lanes known as carrugi, and its economy centres around the tourist industry. It was a possession of Genoa from the 13th century.
Oneglia (InƩja in Ligurian) lies on an alluvial plain to the east of the Impero, and with its working port is the more modern and industrial of the two districts. At its centEr lies Dante Square, from which radiate some of the principal roads of the city.
Alassio
Alassio is known for its natural and scenic views. The town centre is crossed by a pedestrianised cobbled road known as the Budello.
The town has sandy beaches, blue sea and many bars and restaurants on the sea front. Alassio has also a pier known as "Molo di Alassio" or "Pontile Bestoso" which offers views of the town.
Alassio is situated on theĀ Riviera di PonenteĀ coast, and it has a small tourist port (porticciolo) named "Luca Ferrari". It was also known as a health resort in winter and a bathing place in summer, and has many hotels
Finale Ligure
Known for its white sand beaches and its views, Finale Ligure is located directly adjacent to the Rock of Caprazoppa, a steep limestone mountain on the southwest, and much of the town extends up hill slopes. The town has a lively commercial district. The boardwalk is lined with palm trees and many restaurants from the adjacent street have located large, open-air dining rooms along it.
The territory surrounding Finale is known as "Il Finale", and not "Il Finalese" as sometimes wrongly spelled; it is made up of limestone plateaus and canyons which host a significant biodiversity and important remains of Roman and Medieval times.
Savona
Savona is a seaport onĀ the Riviera di Ponente on theĀ Mediterranean Sea.Ā One of the most celebrated former inhabitants of Savona was the navigatorĀ Christopher Columbus, who farmed land in the area while chronicling his journeys. 'Columbus's house', a cottage situated in the Savona hills. The Torre Leon Pancaldo (Leon Pancaldo Tower), built in the 14th century and also known as "Torretta", is the symbol of the town.
Genoa
Genoa has historically been one of the most important ports on the Mediterranean: it is currently the busiest in Italy and in the Mediterranean Sea and twelfth-busiest in the European Union. 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 inscribed on the World Heritage List (UNESCO) in 2006. The city's rich cultural history in art, music and cuisine allowed it to become the 2004 European Capital of Culture. It is the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, NiccolĆ² Paganini, Giuseppe Mazzini, Renzo Piano and Grimaldo Canella, founder of the House of Grimaldi, among others.
Just out of the city centre, but still part of the 33 km (21 mi) of coast included in the municipality's territory, are Nervi, natural doorway to the Ligurian East Riviera, and Pegli, the point of access to the West Riviera.Genoa, which forms the southern corner of the Milan-Turin-Genoa industrial triangle ofĀ Northwest Italy, is one of the country's major economic centers.
Genoa is adjacent to two popular Ligurian vacation spots:Ā CamogliĀ andĀ Portofino. In the metropolitan area of Genoa liesĀ Aveto Natural Regional Park.
Rapallo
Rapallo is a municipality in theĀ Metropolitan City of Genoa, located in "Liguria" aĀ region of northern Italy.
It is situated on theĀ Ligurian Sea, on the Tigullio Gulf, betweenĀ PortofinoĀ andĀ Chiavari.
The climate is moderate. Many of the villas are built in the hills that rise immediately behind the city, protecting them from strong northern winds.
The Rapallo area is included within the Parco Naturale Regionale di Portofino, encompassing the territory of six Ligurian communes.
Portofino
PortofinoĀ is anĀ ItalianĀ fishing village and holiday resort famous for its picturesque harbour and historical association with celebrity and artistic visitors.It is aĀ comuneĀ located in theĀ Metropolitan City of GenoaĀ on theĀ Italian Riviera. The town is clustered around its small harbour, and is known for the colourfully painted buildings that line the shore.Ā Portofino became famous in the 1950s.
Sestri Levante
Sestri Levante is found approximately halfway between Genoa andĀ La Spezia. The town has two bays: Baia delle Favole, (Bay of the Fables), and Baia del Silenzio, the (Bay of Silence). The original part of Sestri Levante is actually on a peninsula, with the Baia del Silenzio (also known as "Portobello") on one side and Baia delle Favole on the other.Ā While nearbyĀ PortofinoĀ and theĀ Cinque TerreĀ are probably the best-known tourist destinations on theĀ Italian Riviera, Sestri Levante is becoming quite a favorite among Italians. This once quiet fishing village is slowly turning into a tourist hotspot, developing an old and a new town.
Monterosso del Mare
Monterosso al Mare is located at the center of a small natural gulf, protected by a small artificial reef, to the east of Punta Mesco in the Riviera of La Spezia. It is the westernmost of the Cinque Terre. The town is divided into two distinct parts: the old town and the new town. The two areas are divided by a single tunnel that caters to pedestrians and the very few cars in the town.
The beach at Monterosso runs along most of the coast line and is well used by tourists and locals. The beach is the only extensive sand beach in the Cinque Terre. Monterosso is a small town overrun by tourists in the summer months.
La Spezia
La Spezia is the second city in theĀ LiguriaĀ region, preceded just byĀ Genoa. Located midway between Genoa andĀ PisaĀ on theĀ Ligurian Sea, it is one of the main Italian military and commercial harbours and hosts the arsenal of theĀ Italian Navy. It is important for its museums, for theĀ Palio del Golfo, and for the railway and boat links withĀ Cinque Terre.
Massa
The Massa area is of high touristic value and also hosts a concentration of some 600 industrial and craft activities, located within the so-called Apuan Industrial Zone, with a direct employment of more than 7,000 people. Together with the twin town ofĀ Carrara, Massa is known for the extraction and production ofĀ marble.
Forte Dei Marmi
Forte Dei Marmi is a sea town and comune in the province of Lucca, in northern Tuscany (Italy). In Italian Forte dei Marmi means "Fort of the marbles". The town takes its name from the fortress that rises in the middle of the main square, built under Grand Duke Peter Leopold, who was to become Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor, in 1788.
Tourism increased after the Second World War, especially in the Sixties when more and more families love spending their summer and this lovely paradise. Many houses and hotels were built near the sea. Forte dei Marmi continues to offer to its guests the same peace and tranquility. It is still a town immersed in the pinewood with a beautiful sand beach. It is not very crowded and it is ideal for biking and shopping.
Pisa
Since your in the neighborhood, we've included Pisa because of it's famous world renowned place in our collective popular consciousnesses.Ā Pisa is a city in theĀ TuscanyĀ region ofĀ Central ItalyĀ straddling theĀ ArnoĀ just before it empties into theĀ Ligurian Sea. This city contains more than 20 historic churches, several medieval palaces and various bridges across the Arno. Much of the city's architecture was financed from its history as one of the ItalianĀ maritime republics.
While theĀ bell tower of the cathedral, known as "the leaning Tower of Pisa", is the most famous image of the city, it is one of many works of art and architecture in the city'sĀ Piazza del Duomo, also known, since the 20th century, asĀ Piazza dei MiracoliĀ (Square of Miracles), to the north of the old town center. TheĀ Piazza del DuomoĀ also houses theĀ DuomoĀ (the Cathedral), theĀ BaptistryĀ and theĀ Campo SantoĀ (the monumental cemetery). The medieval complex includes the above-mentioned four sacred buildings, the hospital and few palaces. All the complex is kept by theĀ Opera (fabrica ecclesiae)Ā della Primaziale Pisana, an old non profit foundation that operates since the building of the Cathedral (1063) to the maintenance of the sacred buildings. The area is framed by medieval walls kept by municipality administration.
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