Day trips

The Hanbury Gardens are located in Ventimiglia near the French border. The origins of the garden go back to the year 1867. Under the orders of Sir Thomas Hanbury a gardener from Heidelberg, Ludwig Winter, planted the beginnings of what is now known as the Hanbury Gardens. Here you will find various eucalyptus, pines, cypress, oranges, agave, aloe, papyrus, bamboo and other species. The park is laid out in terraces, so expect to do a bit of climbing when you arrive. Once you reach the top you are taken along a path which leads you through a tropical plant world with many succulents, accompanied by the chirruping of cicadas, down to the ocean. Here is a chance to refresh yourself with food and drink before you make the trek back up.

Barely 300 meters from the French border is an inconspicuous street that leads up to a limestone formation. Within this formation are the grottos of Balzi Rossi. Numerous cave drawings, artifacts and skeletons are on display in the two museums which are definitely worth visiting, especially for those interested in ethnography.

Asmall town whose church is its landmark. The town nestles picturesquely in the countryside and invites you to take a walk through its narrow, winding streets and visit one of the idyllic bars and restaurants. In the the old town you can purchase crafts and antiques. Cervo is famous for its chamber music concerts which are of an international standard.

The old mountain town above San Remo was destroyed in an Earthquake. For years the town lay in ruins, overgrown with vegetation, until the sixties, when artists came here and lovingly rebuilt the town under their own direction. Only a few walls remain of the old Bussana Vecchia. Today the town is full of artwork and is renowned throughout Europe for its colourful buildings and surroundings.

the witches village is good for hiking and you can visit a Badaluco, a typical Ligurian village where you can also go walking and exploring.



Triora was once a fiefdom of the Graf of Ventimiglia, then later an impregnable fort for the Republic of Genoa. Trioria’s origins date back to the time when the conflicts between rival factions first became prominent. The Cerberus kept a watchful eye over the Ligurian border and reigned over the region until the times of Napoleon. The medieval remains have proved popular with tourists and belong to some of the most famous ruins in western Liguria.

a typical old Ligurian village that is an ideal starting point for hikes and a great place to see local sites.

an old Ligurian village that is decorated with flowers, its landmark being the bridge over the river.

Apricale is a medieval artist's town located in the hinterland of Ventimiglia. Located on a steep slope, the houses look almost as if they might tumble down the hill, but they have now sat there safely for 700 years. Lining the small alleys of the town are many murali (murals), which are well worth seeing. The heart of the town is the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, from which there is a wonderful panoramic view of the Neriva Valley. Throughout almost the whole year there are theatre performances, classical concerts and the well-know art show Castello della Lucertola

Pigna is the last “large” and was at one time one of the most important towns in the Neriva Valley (behind Ventimiglia). The old town is highly picturesque with its narrow and mostly covered alleyways, called chibi by the locals. A truly worthy experience is the climb up to the grotto of Giachéira e del Barràigo. The view of the Castel Vittorio is unforgettable. If you would like to find out more about Pigna and its history and culture, then a visit to the Museo Etnografico in the town center located near the San Michele Church is a must. There is also the opportunity to spoil yourself in the thermal baths and the beauty farm (Pigna Antiche Terme).

There are many ways to explore the Arroscia-Valley; the two most common are by motorcycle/ car, or on a mountainbike. The valley has many towns just waiting to be discovered, all of which have something unique to offer, such as the San Lorenzo Church. A special recommendation can be made for the open-air art show „I megaliti del terzo millennio“ of Rainer Kriester from 1982, located near Vendone. Here you will find 4 meter high stones that are arranged to form a picture of stars. And beside the wonderful art, there is a breathtaking view of the a part of the valley all the way to the sea. The valley also offers many hiking trails, a very nice one being the hike to the Cascante (the waterfalls) in Mendatica.

Atip from us: you can tour the valley in one round trip: start off in the direction of Pieve di Teco auf (towards Torino) and then head towards Mendatica. After this steer towards Cosio di Arroscia and then on to Armo. On the way back head towards Albenga, via Vendone and Arnasco, as along this road there is almost always a view of the sea.

Grasse is known for its perfume museum, but this little city has a lot more to offer. Even though the town is over the border, it still exhibits Italian flair. The old city is located on a slope and as you walk through the tight alleywayss you will see alternating ruins and beautiful old houses. But the main attraction is in the many perfume stores and factories, which are definitely worth a visit. Tours are offered in a variety of languages, and if you would like to see how it is all made, visit the perfumeur Fragonard next to the museum. Enjoy Grasse as it should be, immersed in a world of intoxicating smells.
The grotto of Toirano
is one of the largest in Europe

At the end on Val Varatella, shortly after Toirana , you will find a large promontory of grey dolomite. In its many jagged ridges you will find over 50 caves and grottos, which are a magnet for geological researchers. The caves here in Toirano, which were opened to the public after some construction work in 1953, are managed by the municipality and it is one of the biggest tourist attractions of the riviera di Ponente, with over 150,000 visitors a year.

is less well known but spectacular.



The largest auquarium in Europe has over 10,000 square metres of exhibition space and is home to more than 600 different species of marine life. Enjoy an exciting journey through our oceans and across the aeons, starting with the beginning of life, and culminating in such pressing contemporary concerns as our endangered ecosystem.

Monaco- the city of the bold, the beautiful and the rich. The principality doesn’t just offer its the famous casino and harbour with luxurious yachts, but the Prince’s Palace, the wonderful Jardin Exotique and the maritime museum, all of which are also worth a visit. .

The city, which boasts many extravagant gardens and villas, definitely earns its title of the heart of the Riviera dei Fiori. With one the most famous casinos in Europe, and the year round Italian music festival in the modern theatre, it makes for a very popular destination. In contrast to the luxury hotels and elegant boutiques of San Remo, located just above is the town of La Pigna, which has quaint narrow alleys, inaccessible by car, that beg to be explored. A walk to the magical Giardini Regina Elena will reveal a wonderful view of San Remo and a vision of how the Riviera used to be.

to the Isola Galinara, to San Remo or the legendary night cruise.

in the Meditterranean? - impossible? Surprise yourself with a trip.

explore the countryside of Ligurian on the back of a horse. There are courses for beginners and lots of different tours.

sailing regatta with historic sailers in Imperia

Isolated from the hustle and bustle of the harbour city of Imperia lies the picturesque town of Valloria. All over Valleria, called “Il paese delle porti dipinti” (the town of painted doors), one can expect to be astonished by the wonderful artistry on doors and walls.

In a chestnut forest near the end of the Tanaro Valley lies Garessio, nestled on the piemont side of the Apennines. This town was here when the Romans were in charge. The commune became autonomous in the middle ages and all of its laws were written down in the ”Libro della Catena“, and they have their own laws preserved in the so called “Book of Chains”. Garessio is made up of four burrows, each rich in their own respective history proudly displayed in the many churches, medieval houses and great Palazzi.


Church on the lake in Lucinasco