Ciao! I’m Anna, the Riviera Rambler.

My love for the Italian Riviera is in my DNA. I was born of an Italian mother who immigrated to the US from Liguria, after meeting, falling in love with, and marrying my father, a U.S. Army officer and family friend – also of Italian descent.

We would spend summers visiting our family in Chiavari, a coastal Italian town less than an hour by train to Portofino, and not much farther from Cinque Terre.

This time together strengthened my love for my extended family, Italian culture, and the fantastical geography that surrounded us there. From trains that teetered on the edge of the sea to mountain-tops that scratched the edge of heaven itself, my Italian home away from home became my paradise.

As I grew up, I learned the language, idioms, parolaccie (naughty words) and all, enabling me to venture back to the Riviera as an adult, first alone, and later with my husband and children.

Through this blog, I invite you to become a Riviera Rambler with me. We’ll wander through various off-the-beaten-path (#OTBP) destinations, recipes, folklore, artisan pieces and more. Our focus will be Liguria, the region along the Italian Riviera, but expect some adventures beyond the region. Whether you join me with an affinity for this oft-overlooked region, or it is a destination soon to be added to your wanderlust list, I hope your love will grow through the stories I share with you.

If you’re planning a trip to the Italian Riviera, don’t hesitate to reach out. I am more than happy to share my collection of hidden gems.