Arrival of group at the coastal resort of Diano Marina in the Province of Imperia. Check-in at hotel in late afternoon, welcome cocktail, dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast in hotel and departure for Dolceacqua, an enchanting medieval village set among the inland hills of Liguria. The artist Claude Monet visited the village several times, painting the picturesque Doria Castle. Visit to the old village and lunch in a restaurant, followed by a visit to the famous Hanbury Botanical Gardens, one of the region’s major environmental attractions, conserving and promoting the values of classic garden landscaping. Extremely interesting historical collection of a wide variety of exotic plants. Excursion continues towards the Principality of Seborga. Following an ancient tradition, the principality’s citizens elect a prince with symbolic functions, and mint a special currency called the “Luigino”, which can be used as legal tender only in the town itself. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast in hotel and departure for a visit to Genoa, an ancient maritime republic and an important cultural centre, known also for the exploits of its most famous citizen, Christopher Columbus. Meeting with guide for a tour of the city centre. Visit to the San Lorenzo Cathedral and then Via Garibaldi, known as the Strada Nuova in the Renaissance and Baroque periods, and now declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A museum itinerary links three of the city’s most important palaces, the Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Bianco and Palazzo Doria Tursi, which in addition to hosting an impressive collection of paintings and other items, also has a violin that once belonged to Paganini on display. Lunch in a traditional trattoria. Short afternoon cruise round Genoa’s old harbour, followed by free time. Particularly recommended is a visit to the city’s aquarium, Europe’s largest for the number of species on display. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.