Page 204 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italian Riviera

202  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

ENTERTAINMENT

Liguria offers visitors a wide range of find the best bar on the seafront and watch
entertainment. There are cinemas and the atres the world go by.
(the Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa is one of Attending one of the region’s numerous
Italy’s most famous historic theatres), casinos, festivals can sometimes provide the highlight
discos, nightclubs, wine bars and all sorts of of a trip to Liguria. In addition to the many
venues hosting live music. The vast majority regattas and food festivals, there are various
of such entertainment is, inevitably, focused events focused around music, both modern
along the coast, and the choice is greatest and classical. The Festival della Canzone
during the summer. Be warned that clubs Italiana, held in San Remo in February (see
and bars in the resorts tend to be very p35), is one of the most important dates in
expensive. For a cheaper night out, simply the Italian pop music calendar.

restaurant-cum-disco, which
can be difficult to get into
unless you book a table.

Bars and Cafés
Many italians spend half their
lives in bars and cafés, and
Ligurians are no exception. The
beauty of these places is that
many are open in the evening,
sometimes even late into the
night in the resorts, and serve
snacks as well as coffee and
alcohol.
Typical of the riviera are
the fabulous historic cafés,
in business since the region’s
The casino in San Remo, one of Liguria’s best-known nightspots heyday in the 19th century.
These usually have wonderful
Theatres Discos and Clubs
decor and a great atmosphere.
Every town of any size in There is a trend nowadays Caffè Klainguti in Genoa is a
Liguria has its own theatre, and for discos and clubs to offer fine example. Founded in 1828,
some of the cities have several. far more than just a chance it was loved by the composer
Classical concerts, operas and to dance and have a drink. Giuseppe Verdi, and serves
ballet tend to be held in their Some of Liguria’s major delicious coffee and pastries. In
own dedicated theatre, though dance venues have been Santa Margherita Ligure, the Art
San Remo’s famous Casino turned into multi-functional Nouveau decor is one of the big
hosts a wide range of enter- venues where, in addition to attractions of the Caffè
tainment, from touring ballet dance floors and bars, there Colombo. In Chiavari, Defilla is
concerts to live music. are restaurants, shops, five-a- well worth seeking out. The
The main theatrical and side football pitches and latter, with mirrors, paintings
classical music seasons tend to perhaps even a private beach. and stucco galore, becomes a
run in the winter, but Liguria is Such a description would fit piano bar at night. In San Remo,
not a cultural desert during the Estoril Moonlight, one of the try the Bar delle Rose at the
summer. Outdoor performances top clubs in Genoa. Royal Hotel, and in Alassio the
are particularly common at San Remo has some of the Giacomel, which serves
this time of year. best nightlife along the coast, fantastic ice cream.
In Genoa, for example, films and Santa Margherita is Increasingly, Italians
are shown in various parks buzzing, too (it is are in the habit of
around the city, and the ballet just a short meeting up
festival in the parks in nearby drive for with friends at
Nervi is hugely popular. The revellers from a wine bar,
summer theatre season held Genoa). Here, whether it’s
in the pretty town square at the Carillon is before dinner
Borgio Verezzi is also another a gorgeous or after the
permanent fixture. but trendy The Teatro Chiabrera at Savona theatre. Wine

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