The town of Chiavari in Liguria is recommended as a good place to stay by reader Joe Palasi. Joe says

Dot and I were there for five weeks in the spring of 2000 studying Italian. Chiavari is a lovely town from the cimitero to the spiaggia! I have always been surprised that it is not touted to tourists more. There are good restaurants, hotels, and it is a handy jumping off place for points south, east, and north with a good train station. There is also a fascinating museum of areas life during the war years with German and Allied artifacts.

Joe stayed at the Monterosa Hotel (book direct), owned and operated by the Bacciagalupo family, while on an Italian language immersion trip with his professor from College of Charleston. He says

It was being renovated then so I can't speak for it now. Olga Bacciagalupo was extremely helpful in assisting us in making reservations out of town on the weekends we hit the road.

Chiavari is on the coast in the Genoa province of Liguria. See our interactive Liguria Map for the location of Chiavari and nearby Italian Riviera towns. Places to visit near Chiavari:

• Genoa - port city and largest medieval center in Europe
• Camogli - charming fishing village and resort
• Portofino - famous seaside resort
• Le Cinque Terre - the five villages