When travelers want to head to the coast in Italy, they flock to the Amalfi Coast. But, Italians prefer to enjoy the sea and sandy beaches in some of the lesser known coastal towns along the Tuscan Coast in an area known as Versilia which includes the beachfront towns of Forte dei Marmi and Viareggio. These towns are easily accessible to Florence, Pisa, Lucca, the Cinque Terre and Pietrasanta.

In less than two hours via a direct train from Florence, you can be relaxing at one of Forte dei Marmi’s beach cubs along a sandy seven mile stretch. Here you will enjoy a five star experience with your very own tent, cabana, sun loungers and chairs for a “modest” free. Andrea Bocelli owns Bagno Alpemare, one of the nicest beach clubs in town that has a café, restaurant and a collection of artwork on display.

The best way to explore the area is by bike. There are several rental shops in town and many hotels offer them. There is a bike path that runs along the seaside promenade.

Shopping and dining is another highlight in town. If you are looking for high end shopping, all of the major brands can be found and there is a weekly market held on Saturday and Wednesday that sells a wide ranges of goods from cashmere sweaters to household goods. You will also be spoiled with a number of Michelin starred restaurants and other vibey beachfront restaurants service the daily catch of the day.

Viareggio is another seaside town that is more low key than its posh neighbor. It is also less than two hours from Florence via a direct train and you can also enjoy the beach clubs and seaside atmosphere. It is best known for its annual Carnival, one of the most important in Italy and Europe. Held for five weekends between the second half of January through March, the carnival is renowned for its colossal and colorful floats.

If you are seeking some culture in between swims, the medieval artist town, Pietrasanta, is worth a visit. Many international artists have come to work in the town and have established marble workshops and contemporary art galleries. Many have also donated their work to the town making in a real open-air museum.

Even Michelangelo came to this town to source the purist white marble from the nearby quarries. He traveled through the hills on foot and by mule, personally checking for the best blocks. Be sure to stop at the popular Bar Michelangelo in Piazza Duomo where a plaque testifies that in 1518, Michelangelo worked there while selecting the marble for the façade of the San Lorenzo church in Florence.

Tourists flock to the region of Liguria to visit Cinque Terre, which is home to five picturesque seaside towns connected by a walking path, but this coastal region has so much more to offer. Visitors looking to enjoy breathtaking scenery, delicious food and wine, and less crowds–for now–need to consider adding Liguria to their Italian tour itinerary.

Touching the Borders of Tuscany and Piemonte

The Liguria region of Italy is perfectly located between Piedmont and Tuscany, making it an absolutely ideal stop in between visiting these two popular tourist regions. Liguria is composed of a narrow coastline that curves around the Ligurian Sea due north of the island of Sardinia. A part of the Italian Riviera, it boasts stunning landscapes of seaside cliffs and mountain ranges.

Cinque Terre: The Path Connecting Five Towns

The Cinque Terre, a collection of five seaside towns connected via a walking path, has mesmerized travelers and they flock in droves. The villages of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso have their own characteristics.

The largest village is Monterosso, which is also the least ‘vertical’ meaning that you won’t have to climb as much as in the others. The town also boasts the only sandy beach in Cinque Terre.

Proceeding east you reach the most famous village, Vernazza, characterized by its small harbor and seafront medieval church. It’s full of restaurant and bars, and often quite crowded – as opposed to its neighbor, Corniglia, which is the quietest of all.

Manarola is probably the most photographed village, thanks to its terraced vineyards that overlook the delightful port and the dramatic cliffs.

Riomaggiore features tower homes, a castle and a small rocky beach. It is the starting point of different hiking trails, most notably the Passeggiata dell’Amore (love path) which is slated to reopen in 2023.

Chic City of Portofino and Casual Seaside Towns

Visitors to Liguria would be remiss to skip a visit to the chic city of Portofino. Dotted with colorful houses, luxury shopping, quaint cafes, and extensive outdoor activities make it a city with options for everyone. For discerning palates, travelers can enjoy a Michelin-starred dining experience at Cracco Portofino and savor creative prepared dishes while perched over the sea. For breathtaking views, let us plan an experience at a local farm where all of your senses will be touched at the table and in the garden.

Camogli is one of the most picturesque villages off the beaten path that rests under the radar. It’s a typical fishing hamlet with candy-colored homes and a small harbor. The pedestrian promenade is magical to stroll along and oozes the ancient atmosphere of this maritime village.

Chiavari possesses a different vibe than its laid back neighbors. Its historic center is characterized by wide porticoes, stately palaces and artisan workshops. Here you local artisans welcome visitors in their workshops as they proudly carry on centuries of family traditions with great passion

Genoa, Liguria’s capital, is one of those captivating Italian cities that also remains off the tourist radar. You can easily get lost in the carruggi, or narrow cobblestone streets, of the medieval quarter, one of Europe’s largest.

Historical Sites

Travelers with an interest in history and architecture will find ample opportunities for learning and exploration. The abbey of San Fruttuoso provides an iconic image of the region itself. Part of its allure is due to its hard-to-reach location, which finds it surrounded by lush woods on either side and the sea to the front.

Local Culinary Delicacies: Pesto

If pesto is something that delights your palette, you are in the right place when visiting Liguria. Pesto can be used to describe any paste or sauce that is made with mashed herbs and oils but the “real thing” in Liguria is a protected recipe, which must be made with exact ingredients in a very specific way. Authentic pesto is made from basil grown in Genoa, pine nuts, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Pecorino, garlic, salt, and olive oil. The simple, but wildly delicious sauce is wonderful when spread on top of trofie, the queen of Genovese pasta, which holds the pesto best given its particular shape.

Also “born” in Liguria is the flat bread known as focaccia and there is no better place on Earth to indulge in its crispy, lightly-oiled, goodness. This is commonly found on the street, where you can grab it fresh from the oven and eat it as-is, dipped in sauce, or smothered in a tasty spread. Our favorite spot is Focacceria Revello in the heart of Camogli. These pillowy slices of bread are airy and light, but our preference is a thinner, crepe-like version stuffed with local cheese that oozes out with every bite. If you are lucky enough to be there when a batch comes out of the oven, you will experience a slice of heaven.

Regional Wines

Wines have been produced since the Etruscan and Roman times. Liguria is home to over 100 varieties of grapes and there are eight DOC wines (DOC stands for Denomination of Controlled Origin: an Italian certification with the aim to protect the quality and authenticity of Italian wines).

However, the landscape of Liguria with its steep slopes and cliffs makes wine growing an absolutely valiant pursuit. Grapes must be harvested by hand and the grapes are transported in baskets on the shoulders of the farmers. This results in small batches of precious wines that have been painstakingly produced. Be sure to try a crisp, dry white Vermentino or Sciacchetrà, a sweet wine that is typically paired with desserts or cheese.

Set Sail

A private boat trip is one of the great ways to discover the beautiful coastline with its rugged cliffs, turquoise water and colorful fishing villages away from the crowds.

The region of Liguria has so much to offer, with options to suit every traveler’s tastes. Although tourists flock to Cinque Terre making it quite crowded, visits further afield will allow for a more open, less congested experience–at least for now. Luxury Italian Tours can help plan the ideal itinerary to this region, while crowds remain less thick.

Coffee lovers who travel to Italy have the opportunity to drink some of the finest coffee found anywhere in the world. In fact, the agricultural ministry to Italy’s national UNESCO commission is presenting a bid to the U.N. body’s headquarters in Paris to have their espresso be given heritage status.

Italy currently holds such status for a slew of customs and traditions including truffle hunting, Neapolitan pizza, the Mediterranean diet, Sicilian puppet theater, and the craftsmanship that created Stradivari violins. Soon, the country may very well have official bragging rights for their espresso, too.

The art of drinking coffee is embedded in Italian culture with almost the entire population drinking a cup every day. Italians take their coffee seriously…very seriously. And the last thing you want to do as a tourist is fumble the time-honored tradition with a faux pas.

Show your appreciation by preparing yourself in advance to enjoy this ritual like a true Italian. If you want to drink like a local, you need to follow some basic coffee rules while in Italy. The keys to your coffee-drinking success? You need to know what you order, at what time of day to drink a certain style of coffee and where and how you drink it.

Italians Drink Espresso

When you saunter up to the counter to order a “caffè”, there is only one type of drink you will get: an espresso. There will not be a plethora of options in size, flavors, or sweeteners. This is not Starbucks.
Don’t call it an espresso, either. Just call it a caffè because for Italians, a “coffee” IS an espresso. The espresso will be served in a shot glass and it is served up strong. If you need an extra jolt, order a doppio espresso which are two espresso shots.

If you care for milk in your espresso, don’t order a latte. Latte is the Italian word for milk so ordering a latte will simply get you a cup of milk. However, if you like your coffee creamy, you can lighten up that espresso by ordering a macchiato, which gets you an espresso with a dash of steamed milk.

If you’re looking for something more like what you get back home, you can have it but you will certainly not be ordering like a true Italian. In fact, you will have to order a caffe ́ Americano, which is an espresso with added hot water served in a regular coffee cup, with or without milk and sugar.

Finally, you can enjoy the mother of all white coffees, the cappuccino, which tops an espresso with a generous dollop of frothy steamed milk and may be accompanied by a sprinkle of chocolate.
Which leads us to our next set of tips…

Never Order Cappuccino After a Meal

If you want to honor the Italian coffee culture, you will never, ever order a cappuccino after a meal. It’s not that Italians don’t drink coffee after meals, because drinking an espresso is acceptable, even after dinner.

It’s that Italians believe that dairy interferes with the digestion process so they never, ever order anything with milk after eating. In fact, if you want to adhere strictly to the unwritten rules of drinking coffee in Italy, milky coffees are only consumed in the morning.

If it is after 11 am, stick to the one-worded order, caffè. Before 11 am, be daring and order up a frothy variety if it suits you. After a few successful counter encounters, you may want to branch out and try one of these other iterations of espresso:

• Ristretto: a little bit of water added to a caffe
• Lungo: a bit more water added to coffee
• Macchiato: coffee with a splash of milk
• Corretto: coffee with a shot of grappa
• Schiumato: espresso capped with a dollop of hot milk foam and
• Granita: a Sicilian recipe made with coffee and ice topped with whipped cream. A popular drink in summer.

Master these choices and you will be sipping like a pro!

Coffee is Sipped at the Bar

Coffee is meant to be sipped and savored at the local bar. Most Italians order right at the counter, which provides an opportunity to socialize, gossip, and discuss football before beginning their day.
If you ask for a coffee to go, be prepared for some glares as you will have violated the most important cardinal rule. So, hang out at the counter and maybe you’ll even pick up a few Italian words. You will certainly be warmly welcomed.

Heading to Italy?

If you are planning to visit Italy to partake in the rich culture, tastes, and sights found in the cafes and well beyond, we can help. From finding the perfect luxury villa for your friends and family to organizing a custom itinerary , we are the partner every discerning traveler needs.

While there, test your Italian style coffee techniques at these favorite spots:

• Rome – If you are searching for the ultimate espresso, head to Café Eustachio in the Eternal City. Located behind the Patheon, it has been an institution for Romans since 1938. The thick foam that tops each coffee is made by a secret technique. So secret that the baristas’ hands are hidden by a barrier. The espresso is exceptional. Don’t miss the experience. Piazza di San Eustachio, 82
• Florence – With three locations across the city, Ditta Artigianaleis Italy’s original specialty coffee company. Coffee beans are sourced worldwide and roasted in Tuscany and brewed daily in Firenze. Here you can order your cappuccino with almond milk, flat whites, or coffee made using AeroPress or V60 filtering techniques. The menu items are worthy too. Via dello Sprone, 5n(near the Ponte Vecchio), Via dei Neri, 30/32 R (near the duomo) and Via dei Carducci 2R (largest location in the Sant’Ambrogio neighborhood).
• Venice – Opened in 1720, Café Florian is the oldest café in the world. Sip your coffee in Baroque splendor under the arches in San Marco’s Square. The café is pictured below. Piazza San Marco 57.
• Milan – Owned by Prada, the Italian iconic fashion powerhouse, Marchesi 1824 embodies Milanese style since its opening in 1824. The café is seeped in history and is faithful to traditions and artisanal products. Specialties are prepared by hand using high quality ingredients. Via Monte Napoleone, 9.
• Naples – In the center of the city, Café Gambrinus is a landmark 19th-century coffee house with an elegant interior – a contrast to the laundry strewn across the neighboring narrow streets. In a bygone era, this café was a meeting point for intellectuals, politicians and businessmen. Via Chiaia, 1 and Piazza Trieste e Trento, 42.
•  Noto – For the best view of the Baroque cathedral and the best cannoli in Italy, Caffe Sicilia is a must stop. Opened in 1892, Carlo and Corrado Assenza are the fourth generation in their family to run this institution. Corrado incorporates his chemistry and biology background to create awe-inspiring flavors to its pastries which are perfectly paired with a café! Corso Vittorio Emanuele, 125.

Nestled alongside the borders of France and Switzerland and surrounded on three sides by the Alpes, lies Piemonte or the Piedmont region of Italy. Piemonte is a rising star for travelers looking to explore something different. There are endless reasons to consider Piemonte for your next Italian adventure. It is a gastronomic paradise for food and wine lovers too. Let us open your mind to the delights that await you in this magical region of northwestern Italy.

Since the Renaissance period, artists have been bewitched by the dazzling landscape of Tuscany. Piemonte is every bit as alluring. In every direction, as far as your eyes can see, you will take in hills covered with vineyards, medieval castles and towers, ancient farmhouses, Romanesque churches seamlessly integrated into the natural surroundings. 

Stellar Wines 

Named a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Langhe area has vineyards that produce Italy’s best-known tannic red wines: Barolo and Barbaresco, from Nebbiolo grapes. Naturally the wines of Piemonte are a significant draw to this region of Italy. Celebrated alongside Tuscany as one of the top wine regions in all of Italy, Piemonte also gives wine lovers the opportunity to taste types of grapes not found anywhere else.

The region’s weather experiences varied temperatures because it is situated between the icy Alps and the warm Mediterranean sea. This push and pull results in dense fog on a daily basis that burns off throughout the day. The land above the fog gets more sun, leading to healthy, happy grapes that produce light, acidic wines.

The most recognizable wines coming out of Piemonte are Barolo, known as the “king” of wines, and Barbaresco, which is dubbed the “queen” for its softer tannin profile. The Barolo DOCG vineyards are found only on the hills facing south. They are brick red in color, but deliver different tastes based on the soil type in which the grapes were grown, which are either limestone, clay or sandstone. 

Barbaresco vineyards receive DOCG status only along the best southward facing slopes. Although the soils range from limestone to sandstone, the resulting wines are typically more approachable than Barolos. 

Dedicate two separate days to explore each of these wine areas. And, if you are a true wine lover, also explore the Roero area, home to the Arneis grape which produces a light floral white wine and Monferrato, where the Barbera grape dominates. Be sure to sample other indigenous red varieties such as Dolcetto, Grignolino and Ruchè. Luxury Italian Tours can book tastings, treks and bike rides through the vineyards. 

Prized Whites Truffles

One of the main reasons travelers embark on an Italian tour is to taste the food, which rarely disappoints even the most discerning of palates. The Piemonte region is no exception. For as long as people have debated such topics, Piedmont is one of two contenders for the unofficial title of Italy’s absolute best region for food. (The other is Emilia-Romagna.) Its fertile calcareous soil and unique geography of this region produces some of the world’s best food delicacies such as risotto rice, porcini mushrooms, toma and gorgonzola cheese, hazelnuts and the famous white truffle of Alba. The Slow Food movement, which preserves Italian and international local food traditions, was birthed in the region in the town of Bra.

Foodies from around the globe come to taste the world’s highest prized white truffle, making it a worldwide standout and major draw to the region. Visitors flock to the International Alba White Truffle Fair which occurs annually in the fall. The precious mushroom can fetch several thousand euros per kilo. Luxury Italian Tours can arrange a truffle hunt for you alongside a personal experienced truffle hunter (or trifulau in Piedmontese dialect) and his hound to search for these treasures in the forest. Unearth one or two and enjoy these fragrant shavings of mushroom on your pasta. 

Whatever your palate prefers, your taste buds will roll into a journey full of flavor and excitement in the region. There are so many varied dining options from numerous first-rate establishments, ranging from humble trattorie and osterie, where you can eat very well for moderate pricing, all the way up to Michelin-starred restaurants, that are among the critically acclaimed in the world.  

Castles, Roman Ruins, and Museums

Travelers looking to take in culture and history and find themselves dazzled by ancient architecture will be delighted by all that Piemonte has to offer. The landscape is positively covered in castles, many of which are open to tourists. 

This region enjoys a rich Roman history as well and offers visitors plentiful opportunities to visit well preserved and impressive Roman ruins. The triumphal Arch of Augustus, built in the 1st century BC, is highly regarded as the most extraordinary of all. The Acqui Terme is a very well-preserved Roman site dating back to imperial times. Visitors can also explore an amphitheater which would have accommodated 100,000 spectators from the 1st century. 

The Piemonte region is also home to the oldest Egyptian museum in the entire world. Located in Turin, the region’s capital and the former capital of all of Italy, it is considered second only to Cairo’s national museum in terms of quantity and quality of the exhibits. It is filled with relics and artifacts uncovered by the Italian Archeological Mission from 1900-1935. While in Turin, coffee and chocolate is another must for all visitors. Luxury Italian Tours will share its favorite spots in your itinerary. 

These are just a few of the very compelling reasons you should consider the Piemonte when planning your next Italian adventure. Luxury Italian Tours is ready to plan an exquisite itinerary to Piemonte, with the expertise and refined taste you have come to expect. Luxury Italian Villas has several options for accommodations in the countryside or in the town center. You will love discovering this region!