Leaving behind the beach and the city traffic and going up
alongside the rive r Teiro or westwards, we
are soon immersed in a quiet and bright
world, where nature welcomes us
harmoniously and friendly until one is
astonished by its still being in a sea-land,
To reach the following places is truly
worthwhile: Monte Grosso or Santuario
(shrine) della Guardia (402 m,) which the
poe1 Camillo Sberbaro remember as "dense with maritime pine trees". From here one can enjoy a fantastic view over the entire coastal arch extending westward to the island of Gallinara and eastward to Portofino.

Cappella della Crocetta (274 m.) Beyond the hamlet of Cantalupo one can enjoy a view of the city and its sea right above the tourist port area, moving along the footpath one reaches the grassy level ground of Cantalupo surrounded by a rich woodland flora. Castagnabuona (170 m) Pleasant hamlet on the western hill of the city, covered with olive trees, From here one can visit the shrine of N.S. della Pace (our lady of peace) (295 m), Casanova (spacious and pleasant hamlet) and the Beato Giacomo (votive chapel to commemorate the birth place of its famous son) surrounded by the greenery of the maritime pine trees, an easy footpath through the pine grove leads to said Santuario (shrine) della Guardia. Eremo del Deserto (Desert Hermitage) (or of Saint Ann) (278 m) Once past Casanova and Muggine, one moves on towards the hamlet of Faie (the most alpine of the surrounding area) at the foot of the Monte Beigua) up to the large encircling wall which looks out on a beatiful and deep valley covered with trees. Crossed by small torrents and little lakes, in the middle of the valley one can see the holy building complex of the desert of the fa thers Carmelitani Scalzi, the first founded in Italy in 1615, one of the most beautiful in Liguria, it is a peaceful, quiet and cool place which encourages the contemplation of nature and meditation. Alpicella (405 m) (Archaeological museum and excavations with neolithic installations still being studied and examined) Overlooking the river Teiro valley. It's situated between the Priafaja mountain (961 m) and the Beigua group (1287 m), frorrt here it can be reached either by car, along the provincial road, or by foot by following the appropriately marked footpaths. Piani d'Invrea At the eastern border towards Cogoleto: an area once completely covered by the infact flora of the purest and most varied mediterranean bush, with its garden of mimosa, oleander, broom, palm and olive trees. From here one moves on towards the flat land of San Giacomo and the church of San Giacomo in Latronorio, past the cove of Sportigliolo, dominated by the castle of the marquis d'Invrea and towards the torrent Arrestra, natural eastern border of the municipality of Varazze.

OUT TO DISCOVER LIGURIA VARAZZE AND ITS SURROUNDINGS
Thanks to the centre position occupied by Varazze in Liguria, the resorts on both the western and eastern coast are easily accessible. In the Riviera di Lepvnte or eastern coast, we should first mention the enchanting Poets' Gulf with Lerici as the place preferred by the Romantic Englishpoets and Portovenere, picturesque Medieval seaside village, the Cinque Terre, a succession of small towns straigh down to the sea and beautifully terraced land covered with vineyards which produce the Sciacchetra, excellent white wine; the enchanting Gulf of Tigullio, with Portofino the most famous sea village in the world, San Fruttuoso, splendid inlet which guards inside its waters the statue of the Cristo degli Abissi (Christ of the Deiths pf the sea), Camogli, unspoiled fishing village, Santa Margherita Ligure, elegant climatic and bathing resort, and Rapallo, frog here one can reach by cablecar the panoramic Shrine of the Madonna of Montallegro. For lovers of arts and crafts, Chiavari offers laboratories where the art of Macrame and Filet is still live, in addition to carpenter's who still make the typical chairs from Chiavari. For nature louers, the natural park of the Monte di Portofino offers a rich naturalistic countryside and a view which is full of charm and atmosphere. The Riviera di Ponente, or western coast, offers char- ming resorts on the coast and food-and-wine itineraries. In the interland of Varazze it is possible to make excursions by foot or mountain-bike in the immense regional park Monte Beigua. For those who love to combine the beauties of nature with gastronomic pleasures, Sassello offers its specialities: delicious almond cookies, various types of mushrooms and different flavoured grappas. In the province of Savona, the following places are worthy of a special visit.