Page 23 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italian Riviera

A POR TR AIT OF THE IT ALIAN RIVIER A  21

Fishermen, here on the beach at Spotorno, pulling nets in at dawn
riddled with the characteristic carruggi (the ports of the Levante. Visitors who have had
narrow alleys found in every medieval their fill of the wealth, ostentation or over-
centro storico in Liguria), which rise and fall deve lopment of the coast, should head
between tall, pastel-coloured houses. into Liguria’s interior, which is attracting
Genoa, the Ligurian capital, regally growing
positioned at the centre of the region, is numbers.
not easy to get to know. There is an abrupt People come
change between the open spaces of the looking for an
port and the narrow alleys of the town. unspoiled land
The former has been the subject of a major of woods,
but gra dual regeneration, which has seen rivers, lakes and
the creation of, among other things, the peaks, where
futuristic Aquarium, considered to be one towns show
of the finest in Europe. However, Mediter- another aspect
ranean soul can still be found in the streets of the history
of Genoa’s historic centre, still reminiscent and people of Ligurian olives, used for some of Italy’s
of those distant centuries when the galleys Liguria. finest oils
of “Genoa The Proud” were familiar in all the
The Cuisine
Getting to know the Italian Riviera also
involves trying the local food and wine,
which is offered in most local restaurants.
Liguria’s olive oil can compete with Italy’s
best, the fish and seafood are superb, and
there are all sorts of other traditional foods,
including delicious snacks, known
as stuzzichini.
The food is just one facet of a region
which, even to the most ardent fans of
Charming view of Apricale, in the hinterland behind the provincial the sea, should not be regarded as merely
capital of Imperia a seaside resort.

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