Towards the French border, along the Riviera dei Fiori and between medieval villages
Liguria has a dual soul: a coastal and festaiola that soul to the first hot, invaded by migration from the northernmost regions and a discreet, silent, where the sea is visible from a distance. The latter area, which stretches between Imperia and Ventimiglia, is rich in small villages and beautiful gardens, ideal places to roam without a precise goal in a weekend away from confusion.
Leaving the motorway Flowers after Bordighera, the first country to stopover is Dolceacqua, a medieval village on the shore of Nervia: after covering the steep, narrow streets, you can also stop to enjoy Rossese, the local wine.
Not far away, perched on a steep hill rises Apricale, with houses facing the sun dark and theatrical carugi, and indeed the atmosphere here is a little theatrical, the main square is arranged like a stage, with the shapes created by Production designer Luzzati.
For fans of esoteric, always in the area is Triora, the village of witches, from dark caves and mysterious atmosphere. Here took place a famous witch trial in late 1500, when the country was hit by a famine and people incolpò some women of witchcraft; acts of the process and torture are still kept in the ethnographic museum, in the square to the ancient village a plaque and a statue remember the place where the witches met, the Cabotina.
Leaving these places arcane to continue toward Ventimiglia, the last stage of the weekend, deserve a long pause Gardens Hanbury, among botanical gardens more beautiful and famous of Italy. Created in mid-1800 from Hanbury, retain curatissimi copies of a wide variety of plants; names on the plates do not say much to the layman like me, but it is wonderful to walk these paths and enjoy the sea view from this charming little Eden , Before returning home.
Tags: Enoturismo, Liguria