In Cinque Terre, hike the Sentiero Azzurro between the villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. Spring or fall are the best times to go when the weather is mild and the paths and villages are less crowded.

Sail along the dramatic Cinque Terre coastline on a private boat tour from La Spezia. See the colored houses of the famed villages clinging to the cliffs, stop in elegant Porto Venere for a gelato and go swimming away from the crowds.

Visit the beaches of the Italian Riviera. See superyachts in the harbor of Portofino that has been a favorite with wealthy travelers since the 19th century, hike to the Abbey of San Fruttuoso or dive down to the statue of Christ of the Abyss that welcome underwater visitors to Portofino.

Take a cooking class and learn how to make fresh pasta by hand and traditional pesto with locals experts.

Explore the caruggi in Genova. This maze of narrow Medieval alleyways is a characteristic part of the old port town. Here’s you’ll find great street food and historical buildings.

Plan your own street food tour in Genova. Try focaccia (plain and stuffed with cheese), farinata, pesto and pànera.

Visit the Museum of Italian Emigration, housed in an old religious complex in Genova. The museum tells the personal stories of people who left Italy from the Port of Genova. At the Galata Museum, discover the journey emigrants took when they left Italy in hope of a better life.