Liguria is a tiny region of Italy, also known as the "Italian Riviera". Just inside the French-Italian border on the Mediterranean Sea, Liguria is home to rugged, untamed landscapes, fascinating and complex cuisine, and seaside towns that are as historic as they are picturesque. While most visitors come for the beaches, they quickly realize there's a lot more to Liguria than just sand and sunshine.

If you're planning a vacation to the Italian Riviera, here are some places of interest you may enjoy visiting:

• Genoa: With a beautifully preserved medieval district, Genoa enchants visitors with its historic and welcoming vibe. As the largest city in Liguria, it also boasts its fair share of outstanding restaurants and museums.
• Cinque Terre: In the southern reaches of the Italian Riviera is a district known as Cinque Terre, which is home to a collection of five scenic little seaports, surrounded on all sides by olive groves and vineyards and interconnected by a trail network.
• Portofino: For the luxury-minded visitor, Portofino is the place to be. With its yacht-filled marina and boardwalk of exclusive retailers, it's a playground for the well-to-do.
• Ligurian Islands: Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto are the three best-known Ligurian Islands, with Palmaria being the largest and most visited. However, Tino and Tinetto reward visitors with an authentic Italian experience.
• San Remo: Boasting a medieval quarter that rivals Genoa's as well as casino gaming, San Remo is one of the most popular spots on the Italian Riviera.

If you happen to be visiting in March, be sure to check out San Remo's Italian music festival. A celebration of Italian arts, the festival draws some of the nation's most revered performers and delights crowds with mixtures of traditional and modern music.

A vacation rental helps you relax and enjoy your holiday to the fullest. These spacious and private accommodations offer you all the comforts and conveniences of home for an affordable price. Ideal for couples, families, and groups alike, vacation rentals in the Italian Riviera include beachfront properties as well as beautiful apartments in the region's towns and cities.

From Liguria, you can head west into Monaco and the French Riviera. The co-fashion capital of the world, Milan, is also about 100 miles to the northwest of Genoa.