Does anyone know of a company that does day trips in some of cities on the coast? (S. Margetrita, Portofino...)

Thanks!

It is not clear what you are asking.

Most places along that part of the Ligurian coast can be reached by train, or by boat in the summer, and they are very small towns. Sometimes they have a nice church to visit. Only Genoa and La Spezie have important museums or artworks.

Most people go to the area to relax on the beach or take walks in the hills. For both, you don't need a guide.

So can you be more specific about where you are coming from and how long you have and what kind of guide you think you need?

I am going to be traveling by myself from Milan for a one day trip. I really have no idea where to go and what to see.

thanks!

You can take the train from Milan to the port city of Genoa, which has many churches, palazzos and museums of historic interest.

Or you can skip the big city and instead visit one of the many seaside villages just south of Genoa.

Camogli is a very pretty fishing village that is not very touristy and tends to be quiet.

Santa Margherita Ligure is a pretty harbor where many yachts are moored and has a kind of party atmosphere.

From either town, you can take a boat to Portofino. It can be a very nice day to go to Camogli, have lunch, take a boat to Portofino, have a walk around and a gelato, and then either walk, take a bus or take a boat to Santa Margherita Ligure -- where you can have dinner or take a train to someplace else. (Fair warning: Portofino is very touristy and very "Americanized" with shop after shop of designer label clothing stores.)

Many people skip Camogli, Portofino and S.M. Ligure and head straight for the Cinque Terre. All of this area, with its five tiny towns that sit above the sea, is reachable by train. You can walk in between the towns, or take boats, or take the train to visit all five. They are extemely crowded in summer. (So is Portofino.)

If you take a train from Milan to Genoa, you will have to change trains in Genoa to get to the rest of the coast.

Hope that helps.

PS:

It will take you about 2 hours to reach the Ligurian coast from Milan. Unless you absolutely must return to Milan the same day, you might consider spending the night in one of the towns. Bed and breakfasts, outside of Genoa, are usually not expensive.

All of this area is safe for a single traveler.

I'm wondering which coastal town would be best to visit for just 2 nights before a flight out of Genoa? We tend to be pretty wacky about making a flight on time and like to be relatively close to the airport, but don't choose to stay in Genoa itself. Not too touristy or crowded, please?

Investigate Camogli or Tellaro.

Ali - I'd recommend Camogli (- 45 mins from Genova by train).

Steve

Do you have a car? When is your flight out?

The Genovese airport is not on the Camogli side of Genova, so if you have an early flight and no car, it's not a good choice. You'd have to take a 25 minute train ride to Genoa, then a shuttle bus to the airport.

If you do have a car, it's better, but you still have to leave plenty of time for traffic, especially in you are leaving later in the morning.

On the side of Genova with a car, the town of Cervo is gorgeous, but check out the driving distances on Mappy or the viamichelin website. My guess is you need at least 45 minutes to get to the airport off weekday rush hour.

If you don't have a car, maybe Varazze? It's very close to the airport.

Sorry. The 4th paragraph of my post above should have read:

"On the airport side of Genova..."

Thanks to Nessundorma!
I will check out those newest towns. We will have a car and will drop it off at the airport (reluctantly, since I know we won't want to leave!) I do wish I could be less organized and be "come what may". Sometimes we find the best places that way! But, it's our first trek to Italy and I know that it will be prime wine harvesting season north of the coast and may be busy. AHHH...the wine...we have done many wine regions in lots of places, but we are looking SO forward to this visit to the Piedmonte. Tuscany will have to wait till next visit!

Hi Ali25,

As you probably already know, Ligurian is not famous for its wine (produces some formidable olive oil) but it is Piemonte that shines for wine. The Mediterranean is a surprisingly easy drive from many parts of Piemonte, and Camogli and the town of Cervo are places you might look up on the web. Likewise, you might try a few google searches for Apricale or -- as a wine lover -- Dolceacqua.

You might also utitlize the Slow Travel website message boards for insider tips about both Piemonte and Liguria. There is a regular poster over there who actually lives in the region -- and she never tires of helping people make the most of their visit, whatever they are looking for.

buon viaggio

ttt