The coast west of Genoa looks the most pleasant. From the highway along the Riviera di Ponente, yacht harbors and resorts look like tiny points against the glistening sea and hectares of greenhouses.. On the other hand, coastal towns are close, along the coast from Genoa to the French border, they look primarily functional, although their centers, filled with hotels and apartment blocks, sometimes also have tourist attractions. The sandy beaches are a good side of the holiday, lower prices than anywhere else and no snobbery. The extremely mild climate allows flowering plants to have a year-round growth cycle, and therefore the entire slopes of the hills are covered with plantations of carnations or lilies (secured with a protective net).
If someone feels good in the atmosphere of "family fun", it's best to go to Finale Ligure or Alassio. Otherwise, you can visit the medieval harbors of Noli and Albenga, and great, but neglected San Remo, from where it is convenient to start exploring the mountainous interior of the province. Stone-built villages and agricultural settlements show another, more private side of the province. Hikers can trek here along the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri or along the trails, which lead through towns situated on the hills, such as Baiardo, Apricale or Dolceacąua. And it is worth stopping at the French border, to visit the enchanting garden of La Mortola.
Savona, Spotorno i Noli
The resort towns situated between Pegli and the large industrial port city of Savona are inevitably influenced by the two neighboring large cities. Railway line, the highway and the expressway run along the coast next to each other and, among others,. therefore ARENZANO, VARAZZE and CELLE LIGURE are not very encouraging. SAVONA is a modern city, in which concrete and steel structures dominate, and in places razed to the ground by bombings during the last war, empty spaces are only enlivened by sculptures. One of the most interesting streets is the covered Art Nouveau gallery of Via Paleocapa, which leads to the port and main shopping area. Besides, in the city and in the distant Fr. 5 kilometers of ALBISOLA, white and blue earthenware has been produced since the 17th century, known as "Vecchia Savona".
SASSELLO is the most interesting of the mountain villages in this area. During the Corpus Christi procession, the streets are decorated with rose petals and you can buy pecorino cheese and amaretti biscuits made here everywhere.
To the west of Savona, the train passes through long tunnels and emerges devoid of individual character, but with a long, sandy SPOTORNO beach. The beach stretches to the tiny village of NOLI, three kilometers to the west. Because it was once an autonomous maritime republic, on the occasion of various holidays on one of the three brick towers, Communal Tower, the last flag of the republic is flown. The surviving fragments of the castle and city walls are on the hill, while some of the thirteenth-century palaces were changed into hotels and popular, rather noisy restaurants (thrifty ones should rather take advantage of the grocery stalls lined up on the waterfront among palm trees and oleanders). The beautiful Romanesque church of San Paragorio rises near the train station (Tue-Sat. 10.00-12.00 and 15.30-17.00), in which it is worth paying attention to the authentic crypt, Fifteenth-century frescoes, 13th-century bishop's throne in inlaid wood and 12th-century Yolto Santo, The "true image" of Christ on the cross. The tangle of charming medieval streets and the vicinity of several small beaches make it, that Noli is a nice place for one thing- or a stay of several days.
Via Aurelia continues around the bay, passing two small peninsulas, in the vicinity of which the road is conveniently close to the sea that looks quite inviting. In the nearby VARIGOITI, the prices for accommodation are lower than in Noli. W Pensione Faia (»019/698115) It is true that you pay for the rooms 25000 L, but in July and August it is also compulsory to purchase the full subsistence. You can also choose Camping Yalentino (• 019/698004) or go to a youth hostel in Finale Ligure (less than 20 Min. by bus).