Costa and Ligurian region create walking tour to showcase Savona's culture and history

Starting from the end of June, cruise guests arriving on the Italian company’s ships will be able to go on a walking tour specially designed as a journey of discovery of the town and its typical products.
 
'This initiative stems from our partnership with the Ligurian Regional Administration and is intended to be another major contribution towards further development of the town’s aim to increase tourism,' said Costa president Neil Palomba.

'Some 1 million of our cruisers come here every year, from countries around Europe and internationally, and now they will have the chance to discover the best of Savona, with its treasures that are little known even in the rest of Liguria and which we want to help convey to the world.  We were the first to believe in Savona as a cruise destination back in 1996; over the years it has become our main port of call in the Mediterranean and its reputation as tourist resort is growing all the time,' he added.

Governor of Liguria Giovanni Toti said, 'We believe that this area can and must become a center of Mediterranean tourism.  With a partner like Costa Cruises, I am sure that we will achieve great things and finally foster that part of our heritage that is hidden or, even worse, forgotten.  This administration is convinced that tourism is an industry with great investment potential.'

 The Ligurian Regional Administration’s Councilor for Culture and Communication Ilaria Cavo added, 'I was very impressed by Costa Cruises’ willingness to meet the needs of local stakeholders.  The fact that cultural attractions like these, which are maintained only thanks to the efforts of volunteers, will now be visited by thousands of tourists on walking tours is a wonderful opportunity for their promotion.  It will also be a booster for the local economy and is reward for the efforts made in this area to date.  Culture will be one of the main means of re-energizing the tourism industry in Liguria.'

The new guided walking tours for Costa’s guests start from the Palacrociere cruise terminal and include visits of the Baroque Cappella Sistina, the Priamar Fortress and the landmark Torre del Brandale.
 
The tours will also feature stops in Savona’s picturesque old centre with tasting of typical local products – such as focaccia, farinata (chickpea pancake), chinotto and amaretti – plus a visit to ceramic workshops.  Guests will then have time at leisure before returning on foot to the Palacrociere.  The walking tour lasts around 3.5 hours.
   
Between the end of June 2016 and the end of 2017, Costa ships will call Savona 300 times, including Costa Diadema calling at Palacrociere every Saturday on 7-day Western Mediterranean cruises.