3: Palm trees, hotels, cafes and galleries line the waterfront of the beautiful resort town of Santa Margherita Ligure. La Stalla restaurant, two miles up from the port, serves superb catch-of-the-day Ligurian-style as well as breathtaking views of the picturesque coast from the terrace.

4: Cruise on to Portovenere where the Grotto Arpaia was the starting point for poet Lord Bryon's courageous swim across the gulf to the village of San Terenzo to visit his friend Shelley. The 13th century Gothic church of San Pietro is easily recognized from your yacht.

5: Dramatic scenery amid isolation characterizes the five coastal villages known as the Cinque Terre. Your yacht allows access to their secluded beaches. Walk the most famous of the trails, Via del l'Amore (Lover's Lane), which links Riomaggiore with Manarola by a flat path cut into the cliff side.

6: Enroute north, stop at Rapallo and anchor among the other yachts in the harbor. Head ashore to the town center, highlighted by the cathedral of Santi Gervasio, founded in the 6th century. That evening, dine aboard as you cruise to Genoa.

7: Exploring Genoa could take up much more than a day, but don't miss the ancient town center between the port and Piazza de Ferrari. Visit the 17th century Palazzo Reale palace and the impressive Via Garibaldi prior to your flight out of Genoa's airport.