Italy
Ventimiglia borders France, making cross-border day trips easy. Menton, Monaco, and Nice are short train journeys away. Sanremo, to the east, offers Italian Riviera glamour. Inland, medieval villages like Dolceacqua offer a taste of Ligurian countryside. Find and book day trips.
Bussana Vecchia, an unique artists' village, is also within reach, though it takes a bit more effort to reach.
Beyond the towns, the Ligurian region has great natural beauty and rich cultural sites.
The Regional Natural Park of the Ligurian Alps is inland, offering hiking and mountain scenery. Coastal walks provide views of the Mediterranean. Explore higher mountain villages for cooler air or secluded beaches for quiet.
Nearby Cervo is a medieval hilltop village with a Baroque church. Bordighera has palm trees and gardens. Inland valleys are home to olive groves, vineyards, and traditional villages.
Ventimiglia serves as a starting point for longer regional explorations.
Continue east to Genoa (1-2 days) for its historic port and palaces. Further east, visit Cinque Terre (2-3 days) for its colorful cliffside villages.
Head west to Cannes (1-2 days) for film festival glamour. Antibes & Juan-les-Pins (1-2 days) have a charming old town and Picasso Museum.
Base in an inland village for 3-4 days with a car. Explore Dolceacqua, Apricale, Perinaldo. Visit olive oil mills and hike the Ligurian Alps.
A 5-7 day journey along the coast. Start in Ventimiglia, move east to Sanremo, Genoa, and conclude with Cinque Terre. This route uses regional trains.
A 3-5 day journey across the border. Start in Ventimiglia, head west to Menton, Monaco/Monte Carlo, and finish in Nice. This route uses French regional trains.
Essential facts for a smooth journey.
Purchase a local SIM from TIM, Vodafone, WindTre, or Iliad stores. Passport required for registration. Consider an eSIM like Airalo.
Hotels, guesthouses, and many cafes offer free Wi-Fi. Public hotspots are less common. Portable WiFi devices from Solis Wi-Fi.
Italian is official. French is often understood. English varies. Download translation apps (Google Translate offline pack). Language learning with Rosetta Stone.
Use "Buongiorno" or "Buonasera" for formal greetings. "Ciao" is informal. Greet shopkeepers when entering and leaving.
Casual wear is generally fine. Cover shoulders and knees when visiting churches or religious sites. Carry a light scarf or shawl.
Meals are relaxed, social events. Do not order cappuccino after midday. Twirl pasta with a fork, do not cut with a knife.
