In the Céramique district, you still feel the industrial past, even though you’re standing in the newest and most modern part of the city. It’s the kind of place where you look up and keep looking, to take in the impressive architecture, even as the ground around you buzzes with culture and activity. Céramique arose in the early 1990s on the site of ‘Société Céramique,’ a ceramics factory that operated from 1850 to 1985, best known for its tableware. When the factory was offered for sale to the municipality in the late 1980s, the idea to redevelop the area as a quality residential and commercial district quickly emerged, and Government Architect Jo Coenen was engaged to develop a master plan. One of his fundamental premises was to bring something of a Mediterranean feel to this part of the city. To achieve this, he brought in luminary architects from southern Europe for the design of the various residential and business complexes. The result is a total package of architectural high point after high point, like Mario Botta’s ‘La Fortezza,’ Alvaro Siza’s ‘Tower of Siza,’ and perhaps the crowning glory, Aldo Rossi’s Bonnefanten Museum. But despite all the forward-looking architecture, the connection to the past remains, in the street names, remnants of older buildings and tableware that turn up unexpectedly, and the exhibitions in the Bonnefanten Museum and Centre Céramique. Each and every one is a golden thread of history interwoven into the fabric of today.

This medieval cathedral dominates the city and the port from the top of Guasco hill. From here, you also have a breathtaking view of the sea, and do not miss the beautiful sunset.

Mirroring the elegance of British tea gardens and royal, manicured estates, The Hess Collection Winery on Mount Veeder offers a blend of Napa history, fine wine, and contemporary art. Founded by Donald Hess in 1978, the winery offers immersive tours, guided tastings, and access to a remarkable art collection showcased throughout the property. Known for its sustainable vineyard practices, Hess lives by the mantra “nurture the land and return what you take,” ensuring that each visit not only celebrates craftsmanship but also honors the land itself.

Even if you have to climb to get to this memorial, you will be rewarded with the enchanting view when finally reach your goal. Monumento ai Caduti was built between 1927-1930, in memory of the fallen of the World War I.