HISTORY: Starting with the 3rd century BC, Liguria came under Roman domination. Between the 4th and the 10th century, the region was conquered by the Byzantines, the Lombards, the Franks, and has been invaded repeatedly by the Saracen and the Normans. Between the beginning of the 11th century and the beginning of the 18th century, the main dominating force in Liguria was the Republic of Genoa, one of the most powerful maritime republics of the Mediterranean Sea. Later, Liguria will pass under Milanese control.
At the end of the 18th century, the Republic of Genoa disappeared, and the region was annexed to the French Empire. After the Congress of Vienna from 1815, Liguria was included in the Kingdom of Sardinia and later, in 1860, the region become part of the Kingdom of Italy.
GEOGRAPHY: Liguria is a coastal region located in the northern Italy, bordered to the southeast by Tuscany, to the east by Emilia-Romagna, to the north by Piedmont and to the west by France. The region coincides with the Italian Riviera and is known for its beaches and for its beautiful coastal towns.
Besides Genoa, the regional capital, other major cities in Liguria are Imperia, Savona and La Spezia, capitals of the provinces with the same name. Beautiful coastal towns are also Portofino, Camogli, Sestri Levante and Portovenere. In Liguria, we can also find the wonderful Cinque Terre, a rugged portion of coast composed of five small villages (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare), all part of the Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
TRANSPORT: The main airport of Liguria is Cristoforo Colombo Airport near Genoa. Through the region, you can travel by train or by car. A train ticket from La Spezia to Genoa costs 7.10€ and the trip takes about one hour and a half. By car, along the Italian Riviera, you can have one of the most beautiful rides of your life, passing through every village of Cinque Terre, Portofino, Camogli...
MORE INFO: Genoa Airport | Car Hire | Train Timetables & Fares | Hotels in Liguria