Liguria
Overview
Discover Liguria: Private Tours, Experiences & Custom Travel
Liguria, whose history and destiny are closely tied to the sea, is home of the Italian Riviera; sandwiched between the French Riviera and the Tuscan coast, bounded to the north by the Piemontese Alps.
This magnificent coastal area, is best known for its string of glamorous resorts like San Malo, Portofino, and Cinque Terre and picturesque fishing villages like Camogli.
The resort towns and coastal villages that stake intermittent claims on the rocky shores of the Ligurian Sea are the long-lost cousins of newer, overbuilt seaside paradises.
Here the largest and grandest "edifici medioevali" (medieval buildings) share space with frescoed, angular, late 19th century apartment buildings. The latter day high-rise glitz seems as foreign as the Maine lobster that some of the region's toniest restaurants (incongruously) fly-in for dinner.
For those who want a change from the beautiful beaches and port towns, the hinterland behind the seaside is full of chestnut forests, rugged mountains and ruined castles. The trails connecting Camogli and Portofino are superb. Most routes are well marked along the entire coast from Genoa to Portofino and even further south.
Walking or sailing is the best way to enjoy this coastal area and there is little or no need for a car, as convenient transportation (such as the train or ferry system connecting the Cinque Terre and other coastal systems) allow for people to enjoy a stress-free, glamorous holiday.
The rustic and elegant, the provincial and chic, the cosmopolitan and the small-town are blended together here in a sun-drenched pastiche that make this area one of the most exotic, fascinating and sometimes most strange in all Italy.
The regional capital, Genoa ("City of Culture" in 2004), was the birthplace of Christopher Columbus and today is a major commercial port with a winding medieval centre and grand neoclassical palazzi along many of the ancient streets.
Liguria's coastline is divided into the western and eastern Rivieras. The western end, the Riviera di Ponente, famed for its roses, almond and citrus groves, lies between San Remo and Genoa. The eastern part, the Riviera di Levante, is on a more rugged stretch of coast between Genoa and La Spezia and includes Portofino and Cinque Terre.
Liguria, not content to lie on its beaches, has also contributed gastronomically to the world. One example: basil, garlic and pinenut sauce - Pesto - layered over everything in the zone from Foccacia (also a Ligurian specialty) to pizza, pasta and panini. Initially "pesto" as the sauce is known today was invented by practical-minded Ligurian sailors to avoid scurvy. Other Ligurian cuisine has its origins in just as imaginative - and practical - thinking!
Our own photographs
Liguria Through Our Eyes
Photographed during our own travels and research, these images follow the journey through Liguria, from the first view of the landscape to the small details that give the place its character.
Multi-Day Holidays Tours
Whole journeys, planned end to end
Bella Italia: Luxury Private Tour of Italy's Must-See Locations
Visit Italy's top tourist spots in luxury. Stay at some of our favourite hotels, visit the cities with expert private guides and enjoy 1st class transportation from Venice all the way to Amalfi!
Italy's Northern Wine Country: Fine Wines, Food and Incredible Landscapes in Piedmont, Cinque Terre and Tuscany (Personalized Experiences)
This exclusive small group tour allows you to discover some of Northern Italy's top winemakers and tour their centuries-old wineries and experience designed to delight both the most knowledgeable wine connoisseur and the novice.
Wines & Food of Piedmont, Cinque Terre & Tuscany
This exclusive small group tour offers you the opportunity to discover some of Northern Italy’s top wine makers and tour their centuries old wineries. An experience designed to delight both the most knowledgeable wine connoisseur or the novice.
Florence, Tuscany and the Italian Riviera
A classic introduction to the must-see sites of Tuscany and Cinque Terre. From the wine-growing lands of Chianti and Val d'Orcia to the Renaissance splendour and the museums of Florence, the tour ends in the incredible natural beauty of the Italian...
Cinque Terre Mini-Stay Holiday
This Cinque Terre mini-stay option offers those looking to travel into the Cinque Terre national park one of the most convenient and comfortable ways to visit one of Italy's most beautiful coastal areas. It includes a centrally located hotel in Mont...
Northern Italy - Piedmont, Cinque Terre, Lake District, Emilia Romagna & Venice - Private Individuals & Small group Tours
What an incredible experience in store for travel professionals this fall! Our trip through Northern Italy is designed for travel professionals who want to learn more about Northern Italy's incredible geography, culture, food and wine. The journey i...
Private & Small Group Tours in Liguria
Days out with people who know the way
Private boat tour Cinque Terre
Our private boat tour of the Cinque Terre can begin in any of the five villages or Portovenere, where our captain will be there to pick you up at the port and begin a beautiful journey of this magnificent portion of the Italian Riviera. The experienc...
Private Tour of the Cinque Terre National Park
This is a private tour of the Cinque Terre national park that can depart from Genoa, Florence, Pisa, Lucca or anywhere in the area upon request. On this tour, we include transportation to Portovenere, which is at the southern end of the park that al...
Private Tour of the Italian Riviera with Lunch and Wine Tastings with local expert Driver-Guide
This is a private full day tour of the spectacular Italian Riviera that will without a doubt be one of the most memorable days of your holiday in Italy. Over the course of the day we introduce you to some of the most colourful and lovely coastal vil...
The Italian Riviera: Portofino - Santa Margherita Ligure
When your cruise ship docks in Genoa, enjoy a private shore excursion to Rapallo, Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure. Your private driver will take you to the world know seas resort town of Rapallo, Rapallo’s long list of attractions begins with i...
Hotels
Rooms we would happily sleep in again
Italy,Italian Riviera - Liguria
Hotel Regina Elena Santa Margherita Liguria
The Regina Elena is a 4-star property in the beautiful seaside town of Santa Margherita Liguria on t...
Italy,Liguria,La Spezia (SP)
NH La Spezia
The hotel NH La Spezia is located in the city center across from the harbor of the famous towns of...
Villas
Private homes with stories of their own
Italy,Liguria
Italy,Liguria,Genova - Genoa
Apartments
A local address to call your own
Italy,Liguria,Cinque Terre,Monterosso Al Mare
Italy,Liguria,Genova - Genoa
Photo Gallery
Explore Towns and Cities in Liguria
Every town here has its own personality. We know them by name.
Our Featured Properties
Stays we picked one by one
Italy,Liguria,Cinque Terre,Monterosso Al Mare
Italy,Liguria,Genova - Genoa
Italy,Liguria
Italy,Liguria,Genova - Genoa
Getting here
The Road to Liguria
Most of our guests arrive by private car, with a driver who knows these roads and where it is worth stopping along the way. These are the journeys we arrange most often.
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In their words
Stories that stay with you
What our guests write to us once they are home again
From the journal
IVS Magazine
Latest
27 October 2026
Italy Travel Alerts October 30 Strike, Rising Costs & What Travellers Need to Know
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Plan it with us
For customized holidays and expert advice for travel in Italy and the Mediterranean, get in touch with your travel agent or contact us via our.
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Direct In Italy: +39 375 823 5314
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Toll Free: 1-866-779-2565