The capital city of the narrow and long Ligurian region, Genoa, the largest port in Italy, is an attractive town to discover. Centuries of splendour as an independent Maritime Republic make this town a very interesting place in which to find an array of historical monuments cultural sites. Its maritime environment give to the city some remarkable primacies: The Aquarium of Genoa is the largest in Europe and its lighthouse is the oldest working in the world and one of the five tallest ones. Some even say that the word “jeans” comes from the rough cloth used in making genoese sails. Its generous land has given birth to famous Italians such as Columbus, Garibaldi and more recently the famous architect Renzo Piano, only to mention but a few. Genoa is also an excellent place in which to start a marvellous journey to discover the Riviera Ligure, the Italian correspondent of the French Riviera. The coastline is dotted with charming sea resorts, the most famous being the chic Portofino and the amazing Cinque Terre.