Its history is very ancient and dates back to Roman times. Since then it had a troubled history and over the centuries it was destroyed, rebuilt then conquered several times by the Saracen pirates.
Santa Margherita began to transform into the beautiful coastal town we know from the second half of the 1800s, when the nobility from all over Europe began to discover the wonderful cities of Liguria. Similarly to what happened in Bordighera and Alassio .
Its eastern half, the Riviera di Levante, is defined by its rugged cliffs, turquoise coves and pastel seaside towns, including the colorful Cinque Terre fishing villages, as well as stylish resort areas such as Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure.
Portofino’s crystalline green waters are great for swimming, diving, and boating. There are also opportunities for hiking in the area.
Rocchetta Nervina is a small village in the province of Imperia in Liguria (Italy) with 291 inhabitants. It is built at an altitude of 235 meters, at the bottom of the Barbaira valley, a tributary of the Nervia coming down from the ridge separating the valleys of Nervia and Roya.
Surrounded by mountains, Monte Abelio (1015m), Monte Terca (1070m) and Monte Morgi (870m). Its French twin locality is Sospel. They are located at the same level and at an equal distance (approximately 10 km) on each side of the border.
Rocchetta means small rock or fortress, citadel.Nervina is derived from the name of Nervia. Old fortified town in the 12th century, it was called “Castrum Barbairre”, it was destroyed by the Marquis of Dolceaqua (the same as that of the michettes).
In the middle of the 16th century the castle of Monte Abelio controlled the Roya valley Rochetta is isolated and in a cul-de-sac, its defensive system is particular, access is allowed there thanks to two bridges from medieval times called “humpbacks”.It is still inaccessible today except on foot and of course by Vespa!!!
Dolceacqua is a comune in the Province of Imperia in the Italian region Liguria, located about 120 kilometres southwest of Genoa and about 35 kilometres west of Imperia, on the border with France.
The first official document that quotes Dolceacqua dates back to 1151, when the accounts of Ventimiglia had the first heart of the castle built at the top of the rocky speron overlooking the creek where the valley tightens and forks: the Roja valley on one side, the Val Nervia on the other.
In 1270 Dolceacqua was purchased by the Doria of Genoa and over the centuries the “Earth” was developed in the town that stands at the foot of the castle.
Delve into the cinematic legacy of Portofino. This year Belmond were thrilled to team up with the Italian Riviera Film Festival to celebrate Portofino’s silver screen heritage, producing a heartfelt short film presented by beloved actor Alessandro Gassmann. Commissioned by Belmond from local production company Flying Donkeys, the film honours legendary actor, director, screenwriter and Splendido guest, Vittorio Gassmann – Alessandro’s father.
Italy, a European country with a long Mediterranean coastline, has left a powerful mark on Western culture and cuisine. Its capital, Rome, is home to the Vatican as well as landmark art and ancient ruins. Other major cities include Florence, with Renaissance masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s “David” and Brunelleschi’s Duomo; Venice, the city of canals; and Milan, Italy’s fashion capital.
0:00 – Intro 0:39 – Sardinia & Cala Goloritze 1:45 – Lake Como, Varenna, & Bellagio 2:43 – Italian Riviera & Cinque Terre 4:10 – Portofino & San Fruttuoso 4:54 – Venice 5:22 – Valdobbiadene 5:46 – Lake Garda & Monte Baldo 6:27 – Madonna Santuario 6:53 – Verona & Bologna 7:58 – Milan 8:40 – Lake Maggiore & Lake Lugano 9:31 – Aosta 9:45 – Cervinia 10:13 – Great St. Bernard Pass 10:42 – Stelvio Pass, Tirano, & Fellaria Glacier 11:44 – Piedmont Region 12:59 – Ponza & Chiaia di Luna 13:55 – Porto Flavia, Tavolara Island, & Cala Spinosa 14:57 – Dolomites & Seceda 15:32 – Alpe di Siusi & Sassolungo 16:14 – Gardena Pass & Val di Funes 16:50 – Lago di Braies & Passo Giau 17:30 – Cinque Torri & Lago Federa 18:05 – Vajolet Towers & Lago Sorapis 18:41 – Tre Cime di Lavaredo 19:20 – Rome & Vatican City 20:43 – Calcatta Vecchia 21:08 – Civita di Bagnoregio 21:35 – Naples & Pompeii 22:21 – Ischia & Procida 22:53 – Amalfi Coast & Fiordo di Furore 24:12 – Positano & Amalfi 25:20 – Atrani, Ravello, Praiano 27:18 – Capri 27:53 – Umbria & Perugia 28:32 – Spoleto & Assisi 29:18 – Spello & San Marino 30:21 – Vieste & Gargano National Park 30:46 – Tremiti Islands 31:26 – Puglia & Bari 31:45 – Polignano a Mare 32:15 – Alberobello & Matera 33:20 – Locorotondo & Martina Franca 33:50 – Taranto & Ostuni 34:40 – Calabria & Capo Vaticano 35:13 – Tropea & Scilla 35:58 – Gerace & Bova 36:44 – Sicily & Palermo 37:05 – Cefalu & Catania 37:40 – Taormina & Syracuse 38:36 – Valley of the Temples 39:14 – Aeolian Islands 39:30 – Lampedusa 39:54 – Tuscany & San Gimignano 41:09 – Siena & Monteriggioni 42:04 – Val d’Orcia & Pienza 42:45 – Montepulciano & Saturnia 43:58 – Pitilignano & Carrara 44:40 – Pisa 45:12 – Florence 46:26 – Outro
In the fourth instalment of our series, US travelers Allison and Eric Bieller will be feasting their way through Cinque Terre, on the Italian Riviera. The 12-kilometer stretch of coastline in the Liguria region, along with its picturesque villages, is a UNESCO- World Heritage site. Eric and Allison check out all five of the villages – Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore, and sample delicious Italian specialities. Buon appetito!
Rapallo is a town on the Italian Riviera coastline. It’s known for the hilltop Sanctuary of Our Lady of Montallegro, a pilgrimage site with sea views. The Castello di Rapallo, a 16th-century fortress, sits on the waterfront. Southwest, near Portofino village, 10th-century San Fruttuoso Abbey sits in a small cove. Nearby, the Portofino Protected Marine Area includes the underwater Christ of the Abyss bronze statue.
Portofino is a fishing village on the Italian Riviera coastline, southeast of Genoa city. Pastel-colored houses, high-end boutiques and seafood restaurants fringe its Piazzetta, a small cobbled square overlooking the harbor, which is lined with super-yachts. A path leads from the Piazzetta to Castello Brown, a 16th-century fortress and museum with art exhibitions and panoramic views of the town and the Ligurian Sea.
Boomers Daily 