Page 17 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italian Riviera

DISC OVERING THE IT ALIAN RIVIER A  15

The bridge leading into the medieval village of Dolceacqua
Day 9 Leoni (p153). The sandy beach afternoon catch here before
Sarzana to Noli at Alassio (p156), will beckon, setting off for dolphin- and
Head inland for the town of but leave some time for the whale-watching. Call in at
Sarzana (pp132–3) and soak up Art Nouveau villas and the the artists’ colony of Bussana
its sophisticated atmosphere. famous names cast in tiles in Vecchia (p168) en route to the
Visit the Cathedral and see the the Muretto (p156) opposite night’s stop at San Remo (p168)
imposing round towers of the Caffè Roma (p156). Take a stroll where you can enjoy
citadella. Famous for its antique on the beach in the evening. the nightlife.
market, shopping is an enticing
option here. Next, head west on Day 12 Day 13
the motorway towards Genoa Imperia and Bussana Vecchia San Remo and the Armea
for the Riviera di Ponente and to San Remo and Crosia Valleys
the town of Noli (p145), which Imperia is split into two parts, to Bordighera
still retains some of its medieval the newer Oneglia (pp158–9) Make an early start to see the
towers. Spend the evening and the older Porto Maurizio Cathedral of San Siro (p168),
visiting the fine Romanesque (pp160–61). In the latter, learn and the Russian Orthodox
church of San Paragorio (p145). all about life aboard a ship at the Church (p168) in San Remo,
Museo Navale Internazionale before travelling inland to the
Day 10 del Ponente Ligure (p160), while green hills. Pass the Armea and
Varigotti and Grotte di in Oneglia find out about the Crosia Valleys (pp164–5) 50 km
Toirano to Albenga history of olives in the Museo (31 miles) away, and admire
Drive a few miles down the coast dell’Olivo (p159). Watch the the Alpine views. Spend the
to Varigotti (p148) for a morning fishermen bring in their evening back on the coast
dip. See the ancient houses of in Bordighera (p169).
fishermen, before pressing on
to the Grotte di Toirano Day 14
(pp150–51), a remarkable karst Dolceacqua and Hanbury
cave system full of magical Botanical Gardens or
stalagmites, stalactites and Balzi Rossi
crystal formations mirrored in Be enchanted by the Ponte
pools. Continue on to Albenga Vecchio and Castello dei Doria
(pp152–5) for the night. at the next stop, Dolceacqua
(pp170–71). The last afternoon
Day 11 of the tour can either be spent
Albenga and Alassio wandering through the exotic
Spend the morning in the city plants at the Hanbury
of Albenga (pp152–5), admiring Botanical Gardens (pp174–5)
the 5th-century Baptistry or exploring the interesting
(p155) and the medieval caves and museum of Balzi
houses lining the long Via The intriguing artists’ colony of Bussana Rossi (closed Mon, p173).
Bernardo Ricci and Piazza dei Vecchia, San Remo Return to Genoa.

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