Liguria´s UNESCO world heritage sites: from Genoa to the Cinque Terre and Portovenere
Despite its limited extension, the region of Liguria vaunts even 2 UNESCO world heritage sites: in Genoa "Stradanuova" and the buildings of the historical centre and further the area of the Cinque Terre and Portovenere.

Genoa: “Stradanuova” and the “Palazzi dei Rolli”
This site includes an entity of renaissance and baroque buildings along the so-called "strade nuove" (new streets). The "palazzi", huge residential buildings, compose the quarter of the nobility: residences built by the richest and most potent aristocratic families of the Sea Republic. The "palazzi", usually three or four floors high are characterized by spectacular grand staircases and courtyards. Loggias are overlooking the gardens which are designed on several levels on a relatively limited space. 

Cinque Terre and Portovenere
The Unesco commission decided to include these areas to the list of world heritage sites considerting that the Ligurian Riviera between the Cinque Terre and Portovenere is an area of outstanding cultural value showing the harmonic relationship between the mankind and the nature, whose result is a landscape of extraordinary beauty - a demonstration of a traditional way to live that has been conserved for thousand years and that continuous to have an important social economic function in the life of the community.

Itinerary

Day 1: Full day visit to Genoa
The itinerary starts at the gorgeous buildings of the Via Garibaldi which are decorated with stucco and frescoes. They are a part of the "sistema dei Rolli" - a reality existing only in Genoa which consists of buildings once destinated to hospitate, in the name of the Republic, famous people, popes, governators, kings, embassadors. Coming through the courtyards and atriums we will enter the Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Bianco and Palazzo Tursi which are forming the Museum Strada Nuova, openend in 2004. We will visit those impressive buildings and be surprised by the richness of art masterpieces they offer. There are important paintings from Veronese, Caravaggio, Rubens, Guercino and van Dyck. From the terrace we enjoy a privileged view over the roofs of Genoa. Thereafter visit to the medieval centre of the town passing through "caruggi", the narrow streets of the historical centre, and the pulsating heart of the town with the picturesque fruit and vegetable market, the butchers, the focaccerias. We reach the Old Harbour to taste local specialities under the arcades. 
In the afternoon the visit continues at the cathedral San Lorenzo - the jewel of the gothic Genoa, piazza San Matteo and reaches Piazza de Ferrari, the most representative square in town overlooked by the Palazzo Ducale, now seat of the most important cultural events and exhibitions in town.

in the evening - Dinner and music event  

Day 2: Fullday visit to the Cinque Terre: after breakfast departure by private bus to La Spezia. Meeting with the local authorized guide and boat ride to Portovenere, a picturesque location with an impressive genoese fortress situated at the entrance of the Gulf of Poets. Portovenere, together with the islands Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto and the Cinque Terre has been included in the list of the world heritage sites. After a short visit the journey by public boat continuous to Riomaggiore, the first village of the Cinque Terre. Visit of the village and walk on the famous Via dell’Amore (the "Lovers path") to Manarola. After a visit to Manarola follows a boat ride to Vernazza - probably the most beautiful of the Cinque Terre villages with its picturesque little harbour and the old church by the water. Leisure time for lunch. In the afternoon boat ride to Monterosso, the last village of the Cinque Terre. Time for visiting and return by train to La Spezia and transfer by bus to the hotel. 

Optional Services: transfer from/to the airport – accommodation in hotels – cooking courses – wine and olive oil tastings – visit to the aquario and the museum of the sea

For reservations:
Arbaspàa Tour Operator Via Discovolo 252/a – 19017 Manarola (SP)
Tel.      +39 0187 760083         Tel.2     + 39 0187 920783         Fax. 0187 760798
email: info@arbaspaa.com