Riviera dei Fiori
Discover the Riviera dei Fiori
The Riviera dei Fiori is part of the Riviera di Ponente, which is divided into two parts: the Riviera delle Palme (Riviera Palm trees) in the province of Savona and the Riviera dei fiori (Riviera of Flowers) in the province of Imperia with San Remo.
The Riviera dei Fiori, located in the western part of Liguria, extends from San Remo to Ventimiglia.
Sandy beaches and stunning cliffs alternate along the coast. Touristic localities are known for their attractions but especially for their crystalline water.
The coastline is dotted with small towns that are real jewels of the area, including Sanremo, the city of flowers (do not miss the opportunity to visit its beautiful flower market) best known for the famous Festival of Italian Song and its Casino. The city also offers a scenic golf course.
Bordighera is among the finest towns of the coast. From here, when the sky is clear, you can enjoy breathtaking views from Arma di Taggia to Montecarlo. The city is known for its palm trees which are also exported by the French Riviera.
The last resort before the border is Ventimiglia, whose historic center hosts unique artistic masterpieces and partly hidden on the left bank of the river Roya.
The coast is distinguished by its mild climate, its tourist facilities and its host structures of all kinds.
His cooking can be defined as the most Mediterranean among the Italian cooking.
Its climate, comparable to that of large islands (Sardinia, Sicily), creates in fact the ideal conditions for the cultivation of vines, olive trees, cereals, pulses, green vegetables, fruits, and flavors that are the basis of the local cooking.
The climate is a Mediterranean climate characterized by exceptional sunshine; summer temperatures range between 25 and 30 degrees, sometimes more.
During the summer, the winds are often weak. On the French Riviera, the mistral (northwest wind) coming down from the Rhone valley remains occasional and more calm to Saint Raphael. Easterly winds are clearly dominant all year. At these prevailing winds, we can add the wind named Le Ponant, a southwest wind that is particularly sensitive in the bay of Saint Raphael. Le Ponant is usually a nice breeze that promotes sailing.
The Riviera dei Fiori ports
- San Remo
- Bordighera
- Ventimiglia
The major events in the Riviera dei Fiori
From Ventimiglia to San remo, events abound throughout the year!
Ventimiglia is the most famous Italian border town. At 11 km from Menton, it is the gateway to Italy and the beginning of the Riviera dei Fiori.On historical side, you will find the remains of a Roman theater from the 2nd century, and the Cathedral of the Assumption, in the historic center. The cathedral, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, was built in the 11th and 12th century on the ruins of a Carolingian cathedral.
Ventimiglia is now well known for its famous markets. Every Friday on the seafront is held the largest market. The market takes place from 6am to 6pm in summer and from 6am to 5pm in winter. On this huge market, there are many local products, but also a lot of fakes ...
Market interest is the purchase of real Italian products: grana, mozzarella, oil, ham ... Do not expect to do very good deals and be very careful to counterfeits, French and Italian police are very present at the market.
In June, the "great battle of flowers" is an event not to be missed. It is a parade where floral floats represent characters related to the theme of the year.
San Remo has a unique position on the Ligurian coast. Typical Riviera dei Fiori resort, this beautiful port and city was frequented in the late 19th century by Russian aristocrats, writers and artists.Today one can see magnificent villas and a long promenade by the sea (Corso Imperatrice) lined with palm trees.
It is also the city that hosted the film of "The Talented Mr. Ripley" with Matt Damon & Jude Law.
But of course, San Remo has become famous for its Italian Musical Festival that takes place every year in Febbruary. Founded in 1950, it allowed singers like Zucchero, Lucio Dalla, Adriano Celentano and Lucio Battisti to become famous.
Discover the Mediterranean Italian cooking
The Riviera dei fiori, as everywhere in Italy, has a rich culinary tradition, especially dishes with seafood and fish. Over the centuries the mix of ancient traditions has evolved into unique dining experience.
The seafood on the Riviera dei Fiori are worshiped in the area. They are used for both soups to pasta dishes with tomato sauce or returned to the extra-virgin olive oil with parsley, garlic and chilli.
And everywhere we fish and we enjoy the riches of the sea. They come especially in the composition of a salad called "cappon magro" strange aesthetic interweaving of seafood and vegetables that is eaten especially at Christmas. Anchovies are a specialty of Monterosso al Mare, one of the Cinque Terre, which are prepared in salt or in oil. You can taste them in many ways, including as an aperitif with lardo di colonnata.
Pesto, specialty from Genoa, is eaten with the regional minestrone, gnocchi or local pasta, in particular the popular trenette (types of linguine) and trofie or Trofiette. They owe their name to the term "strofissià" which in Genoese dialect, means rubbing. These small elongated pasta are made, in fact, by rubbing a piece of dough between the hands.