In many places mountains drop almost vertically into the sea with fishing villages built on outcrops nestling in tiny bays. Great sailors were born here, among them Christopher Columbus. There are many interesting Medieval towns to visit along this coast and internationally famous beaches. There are renowned cities: elegant Portofino, the beautiful Sanremo, 'city of flowers', Spezia and Cinque Terre. The heart of Genoa, Liguria's capital and once a maritime republic, is in the waterfront with striking modern buildings and a marvellous Medieval area.