WEST LIGURIAN COAST - TRIP CODE: LIGPONENTE
7 days 6 nights
Day 1: Alassio and Laigueglia
Arrival in Alassio in the morning and free time for lunch. In the afternoon, meeting with the tour guide and visit of the famous seaside town, known for the famous "muretto". Here you can visit St. Ambrose Church and Santa Croce Church, the Bastion, the chapel “to the fallen of the sea” and the marina.
Later transfer to Laigueglia and visit to the beautiful seaside village with the bastion of defense and San Matteo Church. Transfer to the hotel in Imperia, accommodation in the room, dinner and overnight.
Day 2: the caves of Toirano and Finalborgo
Breakfast in hotel and transfer to Toirano. In the morning guided tour of the Toirano Caves, a complex of karst cavities known for its variety of forms of stalactites and stalagmites, and for the discovery of traces of Homo sapiens from more than 12,000 years ago and the remains of "Ursus Spelaus" approx. 25,000 years ago. Free time for lunch.
In the afternoon transfer to Finalborgo, meeting with the tour guide and visit the famous village enclosed by medieval walls, still well preserved, where you can find craft shops, art galleries and lovely medieval courts. The main attractions are: Santa Caterina Convent, now Museum of Finale, Superga Church and medieval doors of the village: Porta Testa, Porta Romana and Porta Reale and the St. Blaise Church, sumptuous example of baroque architecture. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Albenga and Cervo
Breakfast in the hotel and transfer to Albenga. Meeting with the tour guide and visit of the best preserved old town in western Liguria with its medieval building, the houses, the famous red towers, St. Michael Cathedral and the Baptistery. Free time for lunch.
In the afternoon transfer to Cervo and a guided tour of the magnificent old town overlooking the sea with steep narrow streets and baroque buildings among which the eighteenth-century San Giovanni Church, called of the "Corallini". Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Triora and Taggia
Breakfast in the hotel and transfer to Triora, one of the most beautiful and evocative village of Italy. Meeting with the tour guide and visit of “Witch Village”, in fact the legend wantes that numerous witches have lived here then have been convicted and sentenced in the period of the Inquisition. In fact, strolling through the streets of the village, you have the feeling of being observed. Visit the Museum of Sorcery. Free time for lunch.
In the afternoon transfer to Taggia and guided tour. Blazons, portals, bas-reliefs and the famous medieval bridge are the hallmark of this village. Visit of the Heroes' Square and the beautiful Via Soleri, one of the oldest street of the city. Return to hotel, dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Dolceacqua, Apricale and Exotic Gardens
Breakfast in the hotel and transfer to the Nervia Valley. In this valley there are the most beautiful villages of western Liguria as Dolceacqua, certainly the most picturesque, with the Doria Castle, a dense network of narrow streets and stone houses and the famous bridge and Apricale, medieval village perched on a hill that has one of the most beautiful squares in Italy, with the parish church, oratory and a lot of palaces that are all different from each other, filled with murals, sculptures and paintings of many artists who have left their works in this place, even in recent times. The work certainly more curious is the bike on the roof of the church, visible from afar. Free time for lunch.
In the afternoon transfer to Ventimiglia, then guided tour of the Villa Hambury Botanical Gardens unique in the world, where lives many different species of exotic plants. Return to hotel, dinner and overnight.
Day 6: San Remo and Old Bussana
Breakfast in the hotel. In the morning transfer to San Remo, meeting with the tour guide and visit of the capital of the Italian Riviera with the old town, called the "Pigna", with the houses perched, small squares and steep streets and the modern San Remo with its elegant palaces and its beautiful parks. Free time for lunch. In the afternoons we suggest:
- Transfer to Bussana and free time for the visit of this village. Partially destroyed during an earthquake in 1887 was totally abandoned for decades. Then in the 50’s, has begun to be inhabited by Italian and foreign artists who currently is home to many artisan shops.
- Rent a bike and carrying out the beautiful bike path “Area 24”, which connects San Lorenzo al Mare and Ospedaletti on an easy trail, flat and very scenic. It was made by converting the coastal route of the old railway track single Genova - Ventimiglia and moved upstream.
Return to hotel, dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Imperia
Breakfast in the hotel and baggage preparation. In the morning visit the city of Imperia, composed by Porto Maurizio and Oneglia, with the famous harbor and the beautiful historical city center. Then visit of the famous Olive’s Museum "Fratelli Carli". Free lunch for lunch and departure
