One of the most beautiful coastal regions in Italy, stretching between Monaco and Tuscany and with a dramatic range of mountains as its backdrop, Liguria is also one of the least visited. Its main city, Genoa, was a great maritime centre ruled by powerful Doges for 500 years. It became one of the wealthiest cities in Europe and this legacy is apparent today in its historic centre with magnificent palaces built for powerful mercantile families. We will take time to explore the rugged coastline, including le Cinque Terre – the five ‘lands’, or villages – a UNESCO World Heritage site of terraced vineyards, olive and lemon groves, and brightly painted fishing villages which cling to the cliffs. We stay in the centre of the picturesque harbour town of Rapallo overlooking the Gulf of Tigullio, at the elegant 5* Hotel Excelsior Palace. The palm trees, pastel-coloured villas and beautiful gardens of this stretch of coastline make it one of the most exotic and opulent in the entire Mediterranean.