LA RIVIERA DEI FIORI E IL PONENTE LIGURE

LA RIVIERA DEI FIORI E IL PONENTE LIGURE

1° DAY- 24 SETTEMBRE: Ancona - Cervo-Diano Marina

Departure from Ancona by GT Coach heading to Liguria, with comfort stops along the way. Free time for lunch at a highway service station. At 14:00, meet the tour guide for a visit to Cervo, a picturesque coastal village whose houses cascade down a rocky spur, enclosed by the remains of Genoese walls dating back to 1239. Its iconic landmark is the Church of San Giovanni Battista, also known as the "Corallini Church". It was funded and built thanks to the fundamental contributions, donations, and physical labor of the local coral fishermen (corallini). Transfer to the hotel in Diano Marina, welcome drink, dinner, and overnight stay.

Please note for Cervo: This excursion includes uphill walking; participants must be fully mobile.

2° DAY - 25 SETTEMBRE: Sanremo - Dolceacqua

After breakfast, embark on a full-day excursion. We begin in Sanremo, known as the "Pearl of the Riviera of Flowers," famous for its mild climate and lush tropical parks. The tour starts at Piazza San Siro, the ancient heart of the city built along the old Roman road, before entering La Pigna, the charming medieval quarter filled with narrow alleyways (carrugi) and hidden squares. Here, we will relive the atmosphere that inspired the famous Italian author Italo Calvino, surrounded by tales of Barbary pirates and the scents of citrus and olive trees. The tour also covers the symbols of Sanremo’s glamorous side, such as the legendary Casino, the Ariston Theatre, Corso Matteotti, and the iconic 20th-century Russian Orthodox Church. Enjoy a light lunch in a traditional olive oil mill. Next, we proceed to Dolceacqua, an enchanting village nestled in the hills of the Nervia Valley. It is one of the gems of western Liguria, just minutes from the sea and the nearby French Riviera. Claude Monet, who stayed in nearby Bordighera in 1884, ventured inland and was utterly spellbound by this village. Today, it remains identical to how the famous Impressionist painter depicted it: the Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) – the symbol of the town – and the intricate carrugi climbing up to the Castle. Along these paths, ancient medieval workshops have been transformed into art galleries, craft studios, and wine cellars where you can purchase premium local food and wine, including Rossese di Dolceacqua, Liguria’s very first DOC wine. Return to the hotel, dinner, and overnight stay.

3°DAY - 26 SETTEMBRE: Albenga - Imperia

Breakfast at the hotel. Full-day guided excursion starting in Albenga, a thriving city during both Roman and Medieval times, which still boasts remarkable historical monuments. We will visit the Cathedral, a Romanesque building remodeled over the centuries, and the Baptistery, the most important Early Christian monument in Liguria. This octagonal structure preserves the remains of the baptismal font and features a precious 5th-6th century mosaic inside one of its niches. Free time for lunch.
Afterward, transfer by coach to Imperia to explore its exceptional medieval historic center, one of the best-preserved in Liguria. It is renowned for its imposing patrician towers, significant Roman archaeological sites, and a beautiful promenade overlooking the striking Gallinara Island. Return to the hotel in Diano Marina for dinner and overnight stay.

4° DAY - 27 SETTEMBRE: Finalborgo - Rientro Ancona

Breakfast at the hotel, luggage loading onto the coach, and transfer to Finalborgo, officially listed as one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in Italy" (Borghi più belli d’Italia). This medieval walled town is rich in history and sights. As one of the three urban centers forming Finale Ligure, this small village concentrates several historical sites of extraordinary beauty. These include Castel San Giovanni, an ancient fortress perched 50 meters above the sea that once protected and controlled Finalborgo (the capital of the Marquisate of Finale); the 17th-century Baroque Collegiate Church of San Biagio; the Monumental Complex of Santa Caterina, featuring the church and its extensive convent buildings centered around two Renaissance cloisters; and the historic gates Porta Reale and Porta Testa. Lunch in a restaurant, followed by departure for the return journey to Ancona, with comfort stops along the way.

INDIVIDUAL RATE:

Minimum 25 participants: €495 per person
Single room supplement: €84

WHAT IS INCLUDED:

GT Coach at disposal for the entire period as per itinerary, including tolls and parking fees
Driver’s board and lodging in a single room
Accommodation in double/twin rooms in a 3-star Hotel in Diano Marina for 3 nights
Enhanced sweet and savory breakfast
3 three-course dinners at the hotel (drinks excluded)
Welcome drink at the hotel upon arrival
Italian-speaking tour guide services: 1/2 day on Day 1, full day on Day 2 and Day 3, 1/2 day on Day 4
Light lunch at a characteristic traditional oil mill (drinks excluded)
Lunch at a restaurant in Savona/Finale Ligure on the last day (drinks excluded)
Medical and luggage insurance
Audio headsets for the entire duration of the trip

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:

Tips, lunches on Day 1 and Day 3, entrance fees, cancellation insurance, and anything not explicitly mentioned under "What's included"
City tax to be paid on-site: €2 per person per day

REGISTRATION:

OPEN UNTIL JUNE 26 (or until sold out/maximum capacity is reached)