Summertime

Mare

It's been so hot lately that you can't step with a bare foot on the sand. You can fry an egg on it, I bet, especially at noon.

Beaches are usually full of people, however not crowded... not yet. But this morning, the beach I normally go to, has been almost empty. The reason: partly cloudy weather. Nice! I wouldn't burn like a toast, I thought...

In such a day I like watching people. You know, the beach is an ideal place since so many different people gather there.

I think the girl and the boy on the left photo were sister and brother. And it seemed to me they were French.  Later on, a group of teenagers, boys and girls, arrived, went directly into the water and started showing off.

The sea in June is warm and excellent for swimming while in May the water is still cool. Besides, you must be cautious for underwater currents. There aren't lifeguards on the public beaches so your safety is your responsibility.

A boy was learning to surf although waves were not so big there. By the matter of fact, waves turn very close to the beach due to the very steep underwater slope, I suppose. The positive thing is there aren't sharks here ☺ At least I haven't seen any...

However, there are whales. If you love to, you can go on whale watching sail to see how they mate (from July to September). Check out this guide for whale watching for season 2013. I want to try it myself!

A very old lady was led to the water by an attendant and she stayed there for quite a long time. The sea is so calming, so romantic and energizing! It's a great place to be at any age. My dream is to live by the sea when I get old or at least beside a lake... But today we don't know what will be tomorrow.

The city center is only one-park far from this beach and you can go there for a walk or you can have a drink on the beach.

Besides, it's also the season of watermelons, there are plenty of them in June and I adore them, especially in the hot afternoons or evenings. A kilogram of watermelon is about 59 cents! It's cheaper and much healthier than an ice-cream ;-) So go for it!

Welcome to Savona and the Italian Riviera

Mare Amare

The season is open, the sun is shining and the sea is inviting. So take on your hat and let's have a bath on the beach!

Last days there was a red flag on the beach but the weather becomes better and better every single day.

The western beach of Savona is narrower than that beside the sea garden but is much much longer. So you can go for a long walk along the sea and pass by beautiful buildings in Art Nouveau style like Villa Zanelli.

You can see rows of long palms behind the beaches which is the reason why Savona is also called Riviera delle Palme. You can sit under their shadow in the sea garden and listen to the waves breaking against the shore.

If you choose the beach by the sea garden you will be very close to the Priamar Fortress and Piazza Garibaldi.

There are lot of bagni along the beach that administrate it and you can rent a place which basically includes a sundeck and umbrella and a wardrobe. You can rent it for a day, a week or the whole season and each bagno (a bath) has a price list with additional extras.

Each bagni has its distinctive color like red, blue or yellow so you can choose.

Bagni Savona

You can sit on the balcony in one of the bars along the beach and take a cup of real Italian espresso or a cocktail and enjoy the view.

Next to the bagni there are public areas and you can have a sunbath, a picnic or whatever and wherever you'd like. Piazza Garibaldi is right above one of the public beaches and will lead you straight to the city center.

So what more to say about this place where the sea is azzurro and full of joy.


You might also want to know:

• How to reach the city of Savona;
• Where to stay in Savona;
• And where to spend some money ☻

Beaches of Liguria - continuing

Mare

I just love breakers crashing against rocks. Like most of you, I believe.

This was one of the most astonishing breakers I had ever enjoyed. We were standing at a rocky breakwater trying not to fall into the sea (I still can't swim), watching how waves were breaking on the wall of the road. I'm telling you, the water is about to undermine its foundation.

The road I'm talking about is SS1, direction: Genova, at Riviera Ligure di Ponente.

This is an awesome way to go. And what's more, you can travel by walk from Savona to here and even farther. Cool, isn't it? You see those two men at the top right corner I accidentally shot on my photo:

Well, they stayed at the embankment next to SS1 which was right above the shore. I also loved the benches at the embankment - you could just sit there, have a drink and enjoy the view (and sounds).



And since the theme is about beaches after all, the one "behind the scene" is Celle Ligure's. The beach was quite narrow at this end and it seemed to me that the waves were trying to flood us. So you walk really carefully and tightly to the wall, which can be fun indeed.☻



If you wonder, Celle is a neighboring town to Savona you can reach by walk. It has gained a Blue Flag which is an indicator for commune's sustainable tourism development, improvement of life quality and care for the ecosystem...

We traveled a bit further and then came back through a tunnel where there was an exhibition of "math artists!" No kidding.

I'll try to illustrate what it was about:

Well, some of the works resembled such kind of number mosaics (but colorful graphics and lithographs, though). Can you guess what this table is?...





Back at the sea promenade we saw a signboard of a surf school. Kitesurfing, windsurfing, surfing & sailing are popular sports in the town but I heard that surfing was a bit risky because the spot was located close by a cliff. Waves break in front of it and arrive at the beach. Anyway, if you are fond of it, check out web portals like Windfinder.

So, this is all about Celle Ligure for now. Next time I'll tell you something about Riviera delle Palme. Wait for it!

P.S. By the way you'll hardly find pizza if you visit the town out of the season, especially at lunch time.

Beaches of Liguria

Mare

In a sunny day after the stormy Halloween, we headed toward Spotorno and next to it we found Noli.

So if you dream for long beaches and medieval castles, these small towns in Riviera di Ponente are just for you. Riviera di Ponente or the "Coast of the setting sun" is a Ligurian area between Genoa and the French border.

Besides, the road that crosses it is one of the most beautiful in Europe, I reckon. This is Via Aurelia or SS1 on the road maps. Even just driving on it worth the effort. It goes all the way along the sea and takes you to Sanremo, and is popular for road cycling.

Bike route 542828 - powered by Bikemap 

Check out all bike routes in the region at Bikemap.

There were lots of cars and bicyclers coming and going in both directions. We passed by a bunch of chopper riders on the way surrounded by high vertical cliffs, deep blue sea and medieval towers on the hills - guards of honor. A crooked and winding road - this is Via Aurelia and a dream for every adventurer. I was totally captivated by the roadside views and simply wanted to get off the car and continue by walk but it wasn't possible.

And so we reached Spotorno: a small and poor coastal country in an ancient times, often a subject of bitter disputes between the powerful neighboring municipalities - Savona & Noli, now it is a top tourist destination in the Italian Riviera.

And there is a reason for this: pure water and long beaches, a labyrinth of narrow streets and cozy little shops and cafes. It seemed to me that the whole city life was on the streets - social gatherings, hairdressers, craftsmen. You had the feeling that everyone knows everybody.

Spotorno's life has always been tightly connected to the sea. In the past, boats transported goods like wine, paintings and lemons to Sicily, Sardinia and France. Now a view of fishermen on the beach is a common scene.

This sausage dog, with his back to me, was a little curious creature and I knew the representatives of the breed were brave hunters.

The island on the picture is Bergeggi and on the shore against it you can find one of the purest blue beaches in the region. What's more, you can reach it by walk from Spotorno.

The beach was empty then but I bet it's full with people during the season. However, you must watch out for your dignity: There was a sign on the promenade which informed that walking around the town in a swimsuit is strictly prohibited!

Well...

Here's a greeting from Spotorno friend, full of joy as the city itself:

And then comes Noli: steep streets, gloomy castles, lots of olive trees and uncommonly tranquil place to be in November.

We entered a church there. It was empty and silent, preparing for a service that was going to begin in 30 minutes. A nun passed by and greeted us on the main entrance. The whole place had an aura of something magnificent, romantic and melancholic at the same time (unlike the cheerful Spotorno).

You know, although the temple looked at the beach and a sea alley, and there wasn't any kind of sign to indicate that hanging around in a swimwear was restricted, I couldn't quite imagine to show up in a swimming costume around it...

So we crossed the main street, that was Via Aurelia, and there it was - a choppy dark blue-green sea and big foaming waves! It attracted me like a magnet.

Our Spotorno friend told us afterwards that this was the town with the most peaceful and transparent blue waters around the west coast of Liguria. Yet, that day we saw a splendid wavy sea (due to the autumn weather, my best guess).

If you are curious about the town, the name "Noli" has a Greek origin and means "new city". Its story tells us, and this is a less-known fact, that the village (slightly less than 3000 citizens nowadays) was an ancient maritime republic. It is even considered that Christopher Columbus took "lezioni di mare" (lessons of the sea) here in year 1474!

Mare: You should know that you can easily sink into deep water at the Ligurian beaches for reason of the sea slope. So if you prefer shallow water, then you might want to visit the east coast of Italy.

In order to plan your Vacanza at Liguria, just browse a tour guide like TripAdvisor.

☼