Bordighera e Ventimiglia.
Palms, citrus and olive trees, and countless cultivated
flowers blanket these lush frontiers, flourishing
in its excellent climate. At a stone's throw from
France and the Principality of Monaco lies the city
of Ventimiglia: this last hamlet of Western Liguria
preserves an ancient spirit (Roman and Medieval)
wedded with a notable flair for tourism. Stretching
from here to Ospedaletti is a series of beaches
and gardens, flowering villas and hotels, and small
stone villages located in the immediate interior.
Other attractions include the Hanbury Gardens,
where, since the 19th century, six thousand local
and exotic plants have grown; the caves of the Balzi
Rossi (Red Cliffs), nestled among rocks of unmistakable
colors, have been inhabited since the Paleolithic
Era; and finally little Seborga, proud of its identity
as a principality born almost by chance with a prince
who was not blue-blooded, but elected by the people.
Other not-to-be-missed curiosities include the
Italian Song museum housed in a period locomotive
at Vallecrosia, the battle of the flowers in July
in the streets of Ventimiglia, and the humor festival
at Bordighera.
