Needless to say, the Cinque Terre are among the most sought-after destinations in Liguria: ancient and picturesque seaside villages nestled between the blue of the sea and the deep green of the mountains. Five unique villages where time seems to stand still and nature keeps its beauty intact. This stretch of coastline is characterized by cliffs overhanging the sea, small beaches and scenic paths that make up a truly impressive picture. 

For a sailing weekend in this area, you can embark in La Spezia and continue to Portovenere, to spend a pleasant evening in the village, admiring the castle and enjoying a delicious aperitif in this fairy-tale setting. After a night at anchor, you will reach Riomaggiore, followed by Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. You can choose whether to go ashore and enter one of the trekking routes that connect the villages or reach them one by one by sea. The harbors are crowded with fishing boats, and in the typical trattorias you can taste seafood specialties and typical Ligurian dishes. You can end the weekend with a stop at the picturesque islands of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto, where you can enjoy the view of the Gulf of Poets and beautiful Lerici.

The famous Gulf of Tigullio, which has as its flagship Portofino, a favorite location for VIPs and DJs, actually also includes San Fruttuoso, Santa Margherita Ligure, Paraggi, and Rapallo. Aboard a sailboat, one can sail along the rugged coastline and stop during the day at surrounding coves and beaches for swimming, snorkeling and relaxation. This route, will allow you to experience the sea by day, and savor the pleasant nightlife of this area of the Ligurian Riviera.

But Ligurian heritage does not end there: there are also well-preserved secrets that can only be reached by sea. Like in Camogli, where just a few minutes' boat ride from the coast you can admire the statue of Christ of the Abyss 17 meters below sea level. An ideal location for sailing and diving enthusiasts. Less secret is certainly San Fruttuoso with its abbey reachable only on foot, through a strenuous trek, or more comfortably by boat. Taken by storm by tourists in the high season months, it is best to go there in the mid-to-low season to best enjoy the beauty of this picturesque corner.

Liguria is not just Cinque Terre and Portofino, but there is an entire Riviera stretching from Genoa toward France in the west that is home to beautiful locations and small treasures. From the Riviera di ponente, one can sail westward to reach the island of Bergeggi, rich in caves and coves and nominated in part as a Marine Protected Area; or eastward to the island of Gallinara, a nature reserve that offers pristine seabeds where one can snorkel and rocky inlets. You can also reach characteristic villages such as Alassio, where in the evening you can stroll along the charming carruggi and taste the typical Baci di Alassio; Varigotti, the Saracen village with its low pastel-colored houses; and Bordighera, a village with medieval charm almost on the border with France. 

Ports in western Liguria, such as San Remo, are often used as embarkation points for weekly vacations with a route to the nearby French Riviera.

Liguria is not only a romantic destination suitable for couples or aspiring sailors who want to practice, but it is also an ideal destination for families. In Liguria, particularly in the Cetacean Sanctuary, Whale Watching cruises are organized in collaboration with WWF Travel. These experiences are aimed at families with children or adults interested in the subject. On board, in addition to the skipper, you will find a WWF-certified researcher who will guide you through the sightings and teach you how to observe, identify and protect the cetaceans of our seas. The Ligurian Sea is a particularly suitable sailing area for this type of cruise, thanks to the Cetacean Sanctuary established in 1999 by a collaboration between France, Monaco and Italy. The environmental conditions of these waters have allowed the establishment of a food chain favorable to cetaceans. In this area there are an estimated 1,000 whales, more than 30,000 stenellas, bottlenose and common dolphins, and many other species including occasional minke whales.