Liguria is a long and straight strip of land locked between the Apennines and the deep blue sea. Renowned for its rugged and harsh beauty, it harbours famous natural landmarks that symbolise local traditions or hold the secrets of its culinary and wine-growing heritage. It is not quantity that counts here; in everything you see, taste or touch, quality reigns. The whole region is a proud and rich land, seemingly draped in a glorious light that has long enchanted painters and poets…from the intriguing city of Genoa to the splendor of the Cinque Terre, from the two undisputed capitals of glamour and affluence Portofino and Sanremo (famed for its flowers) and the ancient carrugi (narrow alleyways), to the pretty villages clinging to hillsides overlooking the beaches of the Levante and Ponte Riviera. The four seasons come and go here in a pleasantly striking manner, a constant reminder of how nature can be generous, romantic and lovable in all its manifestations. Take the olive oil, known as Ligurian gold. Producing it is an art that requires sacrifice, skill and passion, and it is also the ingredient that enhances the taste of pesto, local sauces and seasonings, as well as its desserts and other more intricate dishes. Liguria is a kaleidoscope of flavours and fragrances but also of a host of surprising events and attractions.