Liguria

Mild wet winters (8°C avg Jan), warm summers (25°C avg Jul). Sheltered by Apennines — one of Italy's mildest year-round climates.

Maritime and discreet. Genoese reserve, terraced gardens, focaccia mornings, sailing culture. Riviera di Levante draws international second-home buyers; Riviera di Ponente is quieter and more affordable.

$2,000–$3,500/mo on the coast; €1,500–€2,200 inland.

San Martino in Genoa is a top national hospital; Gaslini is one of Europe's best pediatric centers.

Maritime republic that rivaled Venice, financing Spanish exploration. Birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Heavy WWII bombing rebuilt much of the coast.

• ◆Pesto Genovese was invented here.
• ◆Cinque Terre is UNESCO-protected.
• ◆Italy's narrowest region — never more than 35km wide.
• ◆Portofino has the world's most expensive €/m² coastal real estate.