About Western Liguria

a) The area covered:

Nestling in an exceptionally beautiful corner of Italy, bordered by the Mediterranean, the Marittime and Ligurian Alps, Western Liguria - and more specifically the province of Imperia - stretching along and inland of the Riviera dei Fiori (Riviera of Flowers) offers a magical and breathtaking landscape with excellent property opportunities in the beautiful and unspoiled countryside as well as along the coast.

The backdrop to the blue Mediterranean and award-winning clean beaches and coastline, is an area of outstanding natural beauty with olive and vine-clad hillsides, densely wooded valleys interlaced with rivers and spectacular mountains rising to 2000 masl.

The countryside is dotted with fascinating medieaval villages, some perched in stunning hillside locations - veritable mazes of narrow cobbled streets and small shady squares - a world where the pace of life is relaxed and traditions have changed little.

And all this so close to the elegance and bustle of the Riviera - in Western Liguria you are always just a short drive from the sea and of course from the Cote d'Azur just over the border.

b) Climate:

Western Liguria has one of the best climates in Italy with a sunshine record to match that of Florida! Protected on three sides by the mountains and the sea, the area enjoys a marvellous micro-climate which ensures mild, dry winters and hot summers - an enormous year-round benefit for property owners.

c) Access:

As one of the most easily accessible areas of Italy and Europe, Western Liguria has excellent rail and road connections from all European countries. Additionally it is served by two international airports - Genova and Nice with low-cost daily flights from many European cities as well as scheduled flights from all parts of the world.

This has an immediate benefit for home-owners who by taking advantage of the vast array of low-cost flights can visit more frequently and enjoy more of their investment - many indeed pop down just for the weekend! Low-cost easy access is also a great advantage for those property owners considering rental.

d) Art and Architecture:

Western Liguria has no major cities, museums and art galleries but the area abounds in treasures which are just waiting to be discovered. Every village church and sanctuary houses paintings and frescoes from the mediaeval and renaissance periods, the many examples of works by Canavesio and Brea being particularly worthy of note.

A visit to the historic centres of the numerous mediaeval villages which dot the area rewards the visitor at every turn, as much of the architecture remains intact and there are many examples of ancient palaces, porticoed streets, slate portals with family crests as well as the churches and sanctuaries which form an integral part of the fabric of every village.

e) Food and Wines:

Western Liguria is not only a feast for the eyes! Awaiting the visitor is a genuinely warm welcome and excellent local cuisine based naturally on the celebrated 'mediterranean diet'.

The land is extremely fertile and traditional recipes are based on the freshest ingredients with delicious and varied results. The olive oil produced in the the Impero, Prino and Argentina valleys is of a particularly high quality and forms the basis of all local fare. The area offers an enormous choice of trattorie (small restaurants with home-cooking) to reknown restaurants with fine cuisine. Along the coast, there is a dizzying array of excellent seafood restaurants offering exquisite sea-bass, swordfish, dory and shellfish.

There are also many wines of very high quality although they are not produced in the same quantities as for example in Piemonte and Tuscany and are as a result rather less well-known. Of particular note is the full-bodied red Rossese from Dolceacqua, the Ormeasco and Sciacchetrà from Pornassio and the delicious white Vermentino and Pigato wines from the Arroscia Valley.

f) Activities:

The coastal resorts offer a range of water sports as well as tennis and golf but just a short way inland there is horse-riding, hang-gliding, mountain bike trails and extensive hiking over the hills and mountains with marked paths. And for those who wish to relax away from the beaches, there is bathing in the crystal clear waters of the main rivers!

In the winter there is excellent skiing in two resorts just 1h 30m away by car - in Limone Piemonte which combines three different ski areas and although offering skiing for all levels, is a paradise for intermediates, and in Monesi, a smaller resort offering challenging skiing just over the mountains behind Triora.