Liguria is a magic arch stretching from Sanremo, a handful of kilometres from the Côte d’Azur, to the mouth of the Magra, Versilia just around the corner. Kissed by the sun, the Riviere are extraordinary habitats abounding in flora and fauna, their entroterra a cornucopia of history, culture, and outstanding cuisine du terroir. Sanremo, Alassio, Portofino, the Cinque Terre are the most evocative of names, the celebration of the history of tourism.
Welcome Riviera is willing to accompany you in your travel eastwards along 300 kilometres of coast (railway, highway and scenic Via Aurelia all do). Its pieds dans l’eau accommodation facilities are the ideal venues for a rewarding stay under the sign of the Mediterrenean.
Sanremo (pop. 51,000), the capital of the Riviera dei Fiori, presents 21 stabilimenti balneari and 19 equipped free admission beaches (1 equipped to host disabled people, 1 for man’s best friends). The town provides many a holiday suggestion: from culture (the Pigna quarter, the archaeological museum, the Russian Orthodox church, a wealth of villas…) to excursions (Monte Bignone, medieval villages, trenino del Roya…), from markets (Tuesday and Saturday) to sports (golf, horse riding, underwater fishing, sailing, yachting), not to forget the Casinò. Events account for a rich calendar: the festival della canzone, the Tenco prize, dog exhibitions, the flower carnival, the MOAC- expo of crafts and commerce, the Milan-Sanremo race, regattas, rallies, swimming competitions, tennis tournaments.
Diano Marina presents the archaeological museum of Palazzo Ardissone, the infiorata of the Corpus Domini (covering the streets with a carpet of coloured petals),33 stabilimenti balneari and 5 spiagge comunali (2 free admission and equipped). Diano San Pietro was the source of inspiration of Annie Hawes’s Extravirgin bestseller, the story of an intrepid English woman who moved to the Ligurian entroterra, among creuze and olive groves.
San Bartolomeo al Mare presents 8 stabilimenti balneari and 3 free admission beaches. It is a quiet and pleasant resort, the ideal choice for families with kids. Close by, the enchanted village of Cervo cherishes the scenic chiesa dei Corallini and the renowned Chamber Music Festival.
Ceriale presents a golden sandy beach, endowed with 25 stabilimenti balneari. The first entroterra houses “Le Caravelle”, an aquatic theme park rich in swimming pools and water chutes. The hamlet of Peagna is the seat of an interesting late Summer festival devoted to Ligurian books, whereas the natural reserve of Rio Torsero is a surprising habitat plenty of rocky canyons and Pliocene fossils (guided tours).