Vallecrosia is situated on the Riviera of Flowers, the western tip of Liguria, right next to the French Riviera.The Riviera is dotted with charming shores for bathing, the outlets of ancient medieval settlements. Vallecrosia Alta is an ancient settlement not far from Bordighera where you can find oases of peace and relaxation that will prepare you for discovering the beauty of the Riviera and the wine and food traditions of the area. Every second Sunday of the month, you can wander among the stalls of the “Cantun de l’Antigu”, the antiques market of Vallecrosia, where you will find a great variety of objects. During the first half of October, when the climate is still pleasantly mild, the Pumpkin Festival is held with food stalls where you can taste the barbagiuai (pumpkin-filled ravioli), among other specialities.
Bordighera, a famous seaside resort at the end of the 1800s, is close to Vallecrosia and merits a visit. It was a favourite with English visitors for its mild climate and charming views. The same landscapes inspired Monet who painted many canvases here. Bordighera is the site of one of the Great Gardens of Italy: the Pallanca Exotic Garden, laid out on rocky and steeply terraced terrain, according to the Ligurian tradition. It has one of the greatest collections of cactus and succulent plants. Another garden famous for its uniqueness and a Unesco site candidate is the Hanbury Garden in Ventimiglia. Still on the theme of plants and flowers, Ventimiglia organizes the battle of flowers once a year, while Sanremo holds a flower parade with a procession of floats and musical bands. Finally, see the unique museum of Villa Grock in Imperia. A structured interactive tour of the 14 rooms will surprise adults and children with a mix of colours, symbols and illusions.