From the top of Italy's boot, the slender region of Liguria stretches westward to meet the border with France. This long stretch of coastline encompasses the important port of Genoa, the cliffside villages of the Cinque Terre, and the elegant promenades of the Italian Riviera. The Maritime Alps, which meet the sea in Liguria, reach up to over 2,600m in height, making the region's terrain steep and dramatic.