5 days in liguria--itinerary suggestions
 

I mid September we will drive from Lago Maggiore to Lecchiore, a few kilometers from Dolcedo, not far from Imperia, Liguria. We will spend 5 days there.

I would appreciate hearing the "must see or do" things. Festivals? street market days?

Any recommendations for a guide book for this area? we are particularly interested in the mountain villages and places west of Genoa. we have been to Cinque Terre/Portofino area on prior visits.

I want to buy a map. Either Michelin or ITC. Is there a difference if they have the same scale?

I've flipped through DK's Italian Riviera guide recently, it has quite a lot of info about Western Riviera towns and villages, which other guides, including the latest Rough Guides 2016 edition, don't have. Say about Taggia and its monastery, somewhere I'm interested in visiting on my upcoming trip.
https://www.amazon.com/DK-Eyewitness.../dp/1465411399

I would also consult this blog, with lists of villages going from west to east:
http://www.apathtolunch.com/2013/12/...n-liguria.html
The link is to part 1, scroll down for the next installments.

Personally, I loved Finale Ligure, particularly its oldest part, Finalborgo (parking might be a challenge, though). Cervo is gorgeous but tiny, Laigueglia has a slightly run down old quarter, where I enjoyed strolling, the beach is nice as well. I loved strolling Parasio up in Porto Maurizio, Villa Grock in Oneglia was quite interesting as well, Oneglia has an olive oil museum, too.

I also found this post helpful and bookmarked it for myself, althoug it is 4 years old by now and some of the restaurants might not be there anymore. Still, I think it's useful for a day trip by car beginning in Dolceacqua and going up into the mountains.
https://french-riviera-blog.com/2012...nervia-valley/

Karen
thank you very much for replying. i just ordered the book and am reading the blogs!

In, addition, I've spent the past 3-4 hours browsing this blog:
Easyhiker.co.uk

It has so many ideas for easy hikes in the Ponente, I wish I had known about it before my last trip to the area. Lots of fantastic ideas. You just need to find the Italian section (sorry I can't give a direct link, I'm using a new tablet which functions I'm still not fully acquainted with).