Page 180 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italian Riviera

178  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

WHERE TO STAY

Liguria has long been popular with holiday- two rivieras, has accommodation to suit
makers and therefore has a tradition of all tastes and budgets, both in the Centro
providing a wide range of accommodation, Storico and in the immediate vicinity. In
particularly on the coast. Along both the general, visitors tend to stay on the coast
Riviera di Levante and the Riviera di Ponente, and make day trips inland. Those who want
with their collection of renowned resorts, to try out the increasingly popular option of
visitors will find an almost uninterrupted agriturismo (which means staying on a farm),
string of sumptuous hotels and family-run should head into the Ligurian hinterland.
pensioni, which are open virtually all year Camping is another option, which is available
round. Genoa, sandwiched between the either inland or along the coast.
Hotel Categories & Prices long coastline and beaches
In Liguria, hotels are classified attract big crowds. Visitors are
according to the Italian national advised to book accom modation
system. The categories range well in advance, confirming the
from one to five stars, that is, booking via e-mail.
from budget accommodation to
lux ury hotels. In general, you can
expect one- and two-star Hotels
services to be of a good As a region that depends to a
standard, but the best value for large extent on tourism, Liguria
money is generally found in the has a well-developed net work
three-star category. Note that of hotels, with generally good
hotels in the lower categories facilites. The one exception on
may not accept credit cards. the coast is the Cinque Terre,
Prices vary according to the where accommodation tends
season, rising in the high season to be fairly simple. Most coastal
or during major festivals and resorts offer hotels in all five cate-
cultural events. Guests should gories. A list of hotels, including Holidaymakers relaxing on the beach
expect to be charged a tourist family-run pensioni, with prices, at Monterosso
tax of €1 (one- to three-star can be obtained from the
hotels), €2 (four-star hotels) or €3 regional tourist (IAT) offices (see alternative form of
(five-star hotels) per night. This is opposite), or from local offices accommodation, particularly
tax is not applicable to children in the larger resorts (see p207). among people who love the
under 14. outdoors or who want to
choose from activites such
Agriturismo and
Booking Bed and Breakfast as fishing or horse riding. The
agriturismo formula is simple:
Liguria is a very popular region, Agriturismo (or farm holidays) working farms offer rooms
especially in summer, when the have become a popular (including self-catering options),
and home-made food based on
local products, in many cases
grown or made by the owners
themselves. They also offer other
facilities ranging from children’s
play areas to swimming pools.
Bed and breakfast accommo-
da tion, also available in Liguria, is
generally comfortable and
inex pensive. This type of lodging
is found mainly in larger cities
and in principal coastal resorts,
though rarely in the interior.

Camping
Camping in Italy does not have
as large a following as it does in
Comfortable public rooms at the Royal Hotel (see p183) in San Remo some other European countries.
Waterfront dining area at the lovely Portofino harbour on the Ligurian coast

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