Extra Vergine Real Estate
Our tips and recommendations
Liguria has something to offer for every taste. No matter whether culture, sporting activities, hiking or the beach are in the foreground. Below are a few helpful tips from the region and some restaurant recommendations. Also, here are some useful tips that might be useful for your stay - or even your life - in Liguria.
Benvenuti a Liguria!
General
Mosquitoes
Unfortunately there are also mosquitoes in Liguria in summer. In addition to the "big ones" that are also known from Northern Europe, there are also very small ones. This strain is called "papatacci" and can be quite annoying. The only thing that helps (I'm talking about 10 years of Liguria vacation) is "Autan Family" and for the apartment the small socket plugs with anti-mosquito plates. You can easily buy these small devices in any supermarket or village shop. It really works and you can sleep with the windows open. It is the scent of chrysanthemums that is sprayed, so it is not harmful to health.
Markets
A farmer's market is held every Tuesday in Imperia-Porto Maurizio on the pedestrian street, Via XX Settembre. Only organically grown products from the area are offered here.
Every Thursday morning (until 12.30 p.m.) – Large weekly market on Via Cascione in the Porto Maurizio district.
Every Wednesday and Saturday morning (until 12.30 p.m.) - Large weekly market around the San Giovanni church in the Oneglia district.
Dolcedo:
Craftsmen, flea and organic market - from Easter to October on the 2nd Sunday of the month.
Sanremo:
Every Tuesday and Saturday morning - Large weekly market in the center with 240 stalls.
Ventimiglia :
Every Friday- Huge market by the sea. From 7 a.m., all day.
Pieve di Teco:
Large antique and flea market. Last Sunday of the month, Corso Marconi and Portici (Arcades) from 8am to 8pm.
Village shops
The nearest shop can be found in Pantasina. You will find a large selection of local products, such as organic olive oil, mountain cheese, fresh eggs. This shop is open all day, with a lunch break from around 12:30pm to 4:00pm.
There is also a small grocery store in Vasia. The store is well stocked, from milk to grill lighters and fresh meat, unfortunately only open in the morning at the moment.
Otherwise you can easily go shopping in Dolcedo, where there are several shops, a pharmacy, a very good butcher, a bar and restaurants.
Supermarkets
You drive down towards the coast through Vasia or Dolcedo. After passing under the highway bridge, you will find the supermarket "CONAD" on the right with a large parking lot in front of it.
Summer opening hours 9.30am to 9pm on Sundays (lunch break from 12.30pm to 3pm). Very good quality of the food, very well sorted, excellent fish and meat counter.
Olive oil
You can of course buy olive oil anywhere in Liguria and the quality is almost always higher than what you can get for the same money in Germany. But if you are looking for something special, it is best to ask in small oil mills and village shops. You get really good products, no waste and no mixed oils from different layers.
But the best thing is if you buy directly from the producers, they mainly only produce for their own consumption and when you buy them you will certainly learn something about the cultivation of Taggisca olives and the production of olive oil. The price-performance ratio is also right there.
Fresh fish
If you are going to spend your vacation by the sea, you should also try the excellent Mediterranean fish. In Imperia, in the port of Oneglia, there is the possibility to buy fish directly from the boat in the morning. You don't need to get up at 5:00 a.m., there is still a lot to get at 10:00 a.m.
sport and freetime
Beaches
The Ligurian beaches and the sea are very clean and well-kept. Almost all are equipped with sun loungers and parasols, these can be rented, but you don't have to. Often there is a free section where you can just lie down in the sand. The most beautiful beach is called "Spiaggia D`Oro" and is located in Imperia in the Porto Maurizio district, but a bit crowded in midsummer.
San Lorenzo al Mare is an insider tip for beautiful beaches. It's a very nice village, the closest after Imperia towards Sanremo.
We ourselves with our two children always liked to go to San Lorenzo, because there are enough parking spaces, all beaches are sandy beaches, freely accessible, without admission, very well maintained with shower cubicles, changing rooms and toilets (you can always use the sanitary facilities, even if you have not rented a deck chair).
At every lido there is a bar where you can easily get ice cream, sandwiches, drinks, but also salad or a plate of pasta.
Other recommended seaside resorts: Arma di Taggia, Santo Stefano al Mare both in the direction of Sanremo or Diano Marina (in the direction of Genoa) especially recommended for those who need a little more excitement and maybe are traveling with teenagers. In Diano Marina there is always something going on, you can go shopping and go out in the evening. Beautiful well-kept sandy beaches.
Hiking
From Prelá Castello or Vasia you can take wonderful short hikes (you will find the hiking guides and maps in the house).
Excursions to Monte Faudo and Monte Foligia (approx. 6 hours hiking time) are suitable for experienced hikers, or a trip to neighboring France to the Mercantour Nature Park (approx. 1.5 hours drive) where you can climb up to 3000 m , to admire the lake Alps and the famous historical petroglyphs.
Very well designed hiking tours in the area of Vasia and Pantasina, with many insider tips, can be found at: www.gertheller.com
With the Bicyle
Liguria is a paradise for cyclists, both for mountain bikers and racing cyclists. If you are a passionate mountain biker, I would send you a few selected MTB tours if you wish.
If you don't have a bike with you, you can of course rent one.
In Imperia, in the Porto Maurizio district, you will find the "Cicli Bosco" shop directly on the main coastal road, the starting point for all cyclists.
Cicli Bosco
Via Gabriele D'Annunzio 8b
18100 Imperia -Porto Maurizio
The old railway line directly along the sea is currently being developed as a cycle path, and the San Lorenzo - San Remo route is already completely finished. In the pedestrian zone of San Lorenzo you can rent all kinds of bikes. A great route, also suitable for children.
In the village of Pantasina, 12 km from Imperia, there is an e-mountain bike rental. If you wish, you can book guided tours of various levels of difficulty with experienced guides.
www.agricotta.com/de/mtb-freeride-enduro
Whats App +39 3474112926 (English, German, Italian)
Arts and Culture
The area is particularly suitable for those interested in culture as well as art and nature lovers. The lively hustle and bustle in the fashionable places on the coast (Alassio, Ospedaletti, San Remo) contrasts with the medieval villages in the hinterland, which enchant with their stories, for example the witch village of Triora, the mystical Ceriana, or the ruined village of Busana Vecchia.
For art lovers, a visit to Genoa with its palazzi and the old town, which is under UNESCO protection, is a must.
culinary
Liguria is a gourmet paradise! This region offers two completely different cuisines, that of the coast and that of the mountains, for both of which the light Ligurian wine, fine vegetables, fresh herbs and the particularly mild olive oil set the tone. Fish and seafood are often served near the coast, while in the hinterland the famous ravioli, pasta with pesto, beans, vegetables and meat.
The famous Taggiasca olives are grown in the Comune Vasia and the surrounding villages. It is a particularly aromatic variety that gives a very mild oil. The city of Taggia gave its name to this variety and it is only grown in a few valleys.
The fruits are small, the terrain steep and the harvest: tedious manual work. The oil is therefore not cheap but of exceptional quality.
The small restaurants in the hinterland are highly recommended, where you can try a typical Ligurian menu for around €30 to €35 per person (including drinks).
These places always work according to the same principle: you have to reserve at least one day in advance (better earlier) and show up punctually at the agreed time. It usually starts at around 8 p.m.
There is no menu, all guests get the same menu, there are often up to 12 courses, it is always delicious. We only cook as much as there are reservations. This way the food is always fresh and very good and costs can be kept down.
Basically, there are more and more excellent restaurants and trattorias in the region, there is something new to discover almost every day... Please contact us for current tips.
Highly recommended, but always with pre-order:
Ristorante
al Santuario
Montegracia
Tel.0039018369192
(English spoken) 27,- per person, children pay half
Ristorante
Val Prino
Molini di Prela
Tel.00390183282230
Mobile: 00393313415339
(English spoken) 27,- per person, children pay half
Osteria
Villatalla
Villatalla.
Tel.00393755678362 / or: 00393895817488
Very nice, simple, honest Ligurian cuisine. The slightly further way to the village of Villatalla is rewarded with a magnificent sea view. It is also worth going there for lunch (approx. 12.30 p.m.). It's an insider tip!
Censin Da Bea di Marco Donato
Borgomaro
Tel.0039 335 821 2982
An old watermill on the river. You can sit nice and cool on the terrace, in winter also inside. The building is old and beautiful. The Censin is run by a family and offers the typical Ligurian 10-course menu. Everything is included for €35 per person, including the wine...
Kilo Pinseria
Imperia / Porto Mauricio - Borgo Prino
Tel.0039183 681213
A very good and modern "pinseria". Pinsa is the Roman variant of pizza. If you want to eat a really extraordinary "pizza" with a wide variety of toppings at gourmet level, you shouldn't miss a visit to the "Kilo"! In summer you can sit right on the water on the terrace.
In Imperia there are good to very good restaurants in the two districts of Porto Maurizio and Oneglia, most of them in both ports, so it is best to stay on the shore.
In Porto Maurizio it is worth climbing the old town hill "Parasio", besides beautiful, romantic corners you can also find good authentic trattorias and bars.
Various village festivals take place in the hinterland throughout the summer, mostly with a theme, such as a rabbit festival or a ravioli festival. In our village of Prelá Castello, there is usually a big meal in the piazza in July, where almost 200 people are cooked. Just look out for the colorful posters or leaflets in the grocery stores.