Pick up the comprehensive listing of all the museums and libraries in the province of Genova and the first impression is of the incredible number and variety in this corner of Italy.

It was perhaps Pliny who wrote the first guide to Portofino. He described this stunning natural area and named it 'Portus Delphini'. This over time was corrupted to Portofino.

Today, the sea around the coast of Portofino is a protected marine reserve dating from 1935.

Portofino may have the fame and fortune but Santa Margherita Ligure, Camogli and San Fruttuoso are the other villages located on the peninsular. The first was, in fact, two separate hamlets, Santa Margherita and Corte, until 1812.

According to some historical sources and the artistic features, the Tower might have been built before 1291 or even sooner, well before the construction of the 13th century private palace of Alberto Fieschi.

For over four centuries the Palazzo Ducale in Genoa and, in particular, the Torre Grimaldina was not a place to enjoy a sweet ravioli or a Tigullio chicken. This extract has been sent to us by the Comunicazione Musei Civici di Genova.

The four main coastal towns in the province of Savona are Albissola, Celle Ligure and Varazze as well as Savona itself. This stretch of mountainous land marks the arc of Liguria and the beginning of the Italian peninsular proper and where the Maritime Alps meet the Ligurian Apennines.

The provincial capital has always been a rival port to Genova. It even supported Hannibal and the Carthaginians against Rome in 205 BC and was only conquered by the latter in 1528.

The Priamar Fortress was immediately built on the 'roccia' to keep an eye on the burghers. Today, it is a splendid artistic treasure with Renaissance palaces, museums filled with masterpieces and wide streets for modern shoppers. Do find out more.

Levanto was once the old feudal stamping ground of the Malaspina, and the Da Passano families before coming under control of the Republic of Genova. The oldest part of town dates back to the X and XI centuries and is roughly where the beautiful Church of Sant'Andrea is located. The white and green facade is recognized as architecture of the highest order.

The Val di Vara covers more than 60% of the territory of the province of La Spezia and all of the inland area heading towards the rest of the region between Liguria and Tuscany.

According to the official guides, the valley is full of medieval hamlets set in the woods such as Varese Ligure and Tavarone.

Heading straight past Portovenere in the province of La Spezia by boat are the Ligurian islands of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto.

Palmaria is the largest and only 105 meters away from the mainland. The tourist board even suggests that strong swimmers should have a go at reaching the island and the beaches at Terrizzo and Pozzale.

Delicious Italy spent a week in Sanremo to discover more about the city from the point of view of an independent tourist, as well as to sample the local food specialities and typical products of the Riviera dei Fiori.

The town itself is closer to France than the regional capital. The border town of Ventimiglia is only 15km away while Genova is a full 145km along the coast. For many, the nearest airport remains Nice although we were pleased to find out there was a daily direct train from Rome.

Anywhere called 'sweet water' must be worth a visit And this splendid medieval hamlet is the main center in the Nervia Valley, part of the province of Imperia.