Chiavari is a lively seaside, market town with a smart Marina and Yacht Club...a little piece of the 'real' Italy

The mostly pebbled beaches have some of the clearest warmest waters in northern Italy so it's not unusual for people to swim and sunbathe well into November.

Spend the evening sitting outside an elegant bar on Chiavari promenade with its fountains watching the spectacular sunset over the mountains or the shimmering lights of Santa Margherita and Porto Fino across the bay. 

In the old part of town, the stone arched shopping arcades of the 'centro storico' are lined with fabulous shops varying from Designer clothes and jewellery to tripe, giving shade or shelter, whatever the season and are open well into the evening. Also, throughout the week ,the Piazza markets offer wonderful local produce , antiques & crafts.

The Archeological Museum , art galleries & Botanical Gardens, are also well worth a visit.