Mountains and sea – beach vacation combined with sport activities: fishing, bungee jumping, fitness, canyoning, golf, climbing, mountain biking, paragliding, cycling, rafting, sailing, surfing, diving, hiking… Not to mention the almost infinite number of cultural highlights, for Liguria has been a cultural land since prehistoric times. The coast and the hinterland are a treasure trove of culture that is worth discovering.

Outdoor activities are possible all year round: for example, the climbing rocks of Finale Ligure are very famous and walk climbers come here from all over Europe to enjoy the mild climate when north of the Alps the biting frost still prevails. The Mediterranean climate along the Ligurian coast offers ideal biking conditions in spring and autumn: beautiful landscapes, sea, mild climate, Italian location and gourmet menus – Liguria seems created as for bikers! Up in the mountains you can enjoy the absolute silence with a panoramic view from the Western Alps to the Mediterranean Sea. The great track is a nice mix of trails in forests, cart tracks in olive groves and narrow streets in mountain villages.

Along the trekking bike routes there are many  “Borghi più belli d’Italia” (Most beautiful villages in Italy) like:

APRICALE: Against the steep slopes of Merdanzo valley, near the French border, the walls of the village stand out. The narrow lanes of the 600-people village, founded in the year 1000, house also some artists’ workshops.

BORGIO VEREZZI: near Finale Ligure, it is a mountain-and-sea community. The picturesque Borgio remains step back from the Riviera, Verezzi is the west side of the district with the four-natural stone hamlets Poggio, Piazza, Roccaro and Crosa and continues a few switchbacks up into the hills.

CASTELVECCHIO ROCCA DI BARBENA: the 200-inhabitant hamlet grew out of a medieval castle situated on the slopes of Rocca Barbena in val Neva.

FINAL BORGO: A Borgo (village), about 2 km inland of Finale Ligure. The historical setting hides a closed medieval townscape with a pleasant homey atmosphere.

LAIGUEGLIA: the charming beach town between Alassio and Andora is a former fishing village with magnificent palaces, a coast guard tower and an impressive baroque church.

NOLI: the medieval fortification with three gates and several residential towers represents the centre. The once independent maritime republic is to the east of Finale Ligure.

VARESE LIGURE: the northernmost municipality in the province of La Spezia was the first in Europe to receive an eco-certificate of the Eu. The “organic mountain village” in the Vara valley has a unique medieval village, the Borgo Rotondo, with narrow streets, arcades and a historical arch bridge.

ZUCCARELLO: jewel of the 300-people village in the hinterland of Albenga is the small stone bridge across the Neva River. Above the village there are old ruins dated back to the 13th century, to which a steep mountain path leads.