Savona, Italy Cruises

Sitting on the edge of the Ligurian Sea and overlooked by the snowy peaks of the Alps, Savona benefits from a simply stunning location, and while it's not one of Italy's major centres of tourism, there's certainly no shortage of sites here to take your breath away. In terms of nature, the picturesque coastline makes for a truly charming seaside experience, although for something a little more dramatic you may want to head out to sea on one of the many whale-watching excursions which depart from the port during the summer months. There's also plenty of culture to explore, and while Savona's recent history may have been dominated by industry, its medieval centre provides a look back at a very different era, and is one of the best preserved Old Towns in northern Italy. Among the highlights to look out for here are the likes of the Cattedrale di Nostra Signora Assunta, which dates back to the 16th century, and the Fortezza del Priamar - an ancient fortress which survived the attacks by Genoese forces in the 1500s, and today houses the Civico Museo Storico Archeologico, where visitors can gain an even greater insight into the history of Liguria.