Hotel La Baia
Via degli Oleandri, 36
Diano Marina (IM) - Liguria
info@hotellabaia.it
+39 0183.404515
Liguria’s territory is very small where the hills dip into the sea! And yet there is so much to see and do that it is almost impossible to do everything in one holiday!
Even if we are in Liguria with its small beautiful charming beaches, this does not mean that you cannot have fun in the swimming pools and slides of the “Caravelle Water Park”, just 30 minutes from Diano Marina).
Fun is guaranteed for everyone, adults and kids! From the slow river to the adrenaline multi-track slide to test your courage without forgetting about the kids’ fun: Kids swimming pool, snake slides, Magic Octopus, Acqua Dance and Baby Jump.
Are you thinking about an experience not to be missed in Liguria? We have the right one for you: Whale Watching in the “Cetacean sanctuary”, a protected marine area where you can admire the proud giants of the sea with a conscious and ethical approach.
Thanks to the marine biologist guide and the professionalism of the boatmen, you can see up to eight species of cetaceans: everything you have seen in books and documentaries becomes reality here. There are different departure points for the excursion, for example the Port of Andora is only 7 km away from here.
If you love being outdoors and want a perfect holiday in Liguria, jump in the saddle and cycle along “Ponente Ligure (western Liguria) cycle path”. A 24-kilometre coastal stretch between San Lorenzo al Mare and Ospedaletti, which was once the former railway track that connected Genoa to Ventimiglia. It is one of the longest cycle paths in Europe where you can safely ride. An excursion suitable for everyone, for panoramic views in the open air … and excellent gastronomy! Bike racks and gazebos for rental bikes can be found everywhere in the area
Summer evenings in the historic centre of Diano Marina is the best time to walk. In fact, the main roads become “Pedestrian areas” with shops open so you can go shopping with friends, drink something cool in the bars with your partner and enjoy delicious ice cream with the whole family. Thanks to no traffic, children can play safely and adults can relax chatting or laughing.
The Fratelli Carli olive museum is a place that definitely deserves a visit and a few good purchases. The museum is located in Imperia, in an art nouveau-style building, company headquarters in the 1920’s. The Museum offers visitors the chance to embark on a journey to discover oil, from its origins (the cultivation of olive trees dates back to 5,000 years ago) to oil production techniques, as well as a private collection of oil-related objects, most interestingly lamps and oil cruets. In the large shop, it is possible to purchase many products, from extra virgin olive oil and a selection of foods that rely on this precious ingredient, to cosmetics.
A magical visit that wins the hearts of adults and children alike. Villa Grock is one of the most beautiful noble residences in Liguria, an architectural masterpiece in Art Nouveau style surrounded by a lush enchanted park. The Clown Museum is located in the historical rooms, and is a circus-style exhibition, allowing you to observe this fascinating comical character: magic mirrors, cabinets of wonders, funny figures that appear suddenly and give visitors a first-hand experience.
Then there’s the park, with its unique oriental-style decorations, where you can have fun amidst the walkways and fountains, observing the sparkling reflections in the pond with the picturesque bridge, all surrounded by a luxuriant patrimony of plants.
A region seemingly too beautiful to be real
Cervo, just a few minutes’ drive from us, is one of those places typically described as “being so beautiful that it seems like a postcard”. So much so as to be a candidate for “The most beautiful village in Italy”. It seems like a miniature village, with narrow streets, ancient walls, vaults, arches and wrought iron signs. And when you least expect it, you find yourself face to face with the great St. John the Baptist bell-tower church, constructed in sumptuous Baroque style. Stretched out over the Diano Marina bay, at sunset the majestic structure is tinged with pink and gold, seemingly a lighthouse guiding sailors.
Approximately an hour and a half’s drive from Diano Marina, along a winding road that climbs up the Argentina Valley, lies Triora, a medieval village that dominates the valley with its 780 m of height. It is known as the village of witches, because here, in 1587, the most important trial in Italian history involving those who were considered the daughters of the Devil took place. The village still preserves the mystery of its past and its connection with witches is indissoluble. If you get the chance, spending Halloween night here, when the village transforms and you find yourself catapulted into its past of light and shadow, is a truly unique experience.
In the Nervia Valley, 10 km from Ventimiglia, wedged between the mountains and the sea, with its thick trees and Mediterranean vegetation, stands Dolceacqua, a splendid medieval Citadel crossed by the river bearing the same name. The ancient village, with its old stone houses, is populated by just over 2,000 inhabitants and the silence is such that you can hear the gurgle of the stream. The Romanesque bridge, built in medieval times and composed of a single stone arch, fascinated the great Monet who depicted it in some of his works.
Finalborgo is considered one of the most beautiful medieval villages in Liguria, but even in Italy. Surrounded by old walls, this tiny gem is crowded with small squares and winding alleys, embellished with colourful flowerpots and small gardens. The village offers enchanting views for exceptional photos, while the many typical restaurants offer excellent Ligurian specialities. Be sure to make your way up to the Castle, along the dirt path: it is a bit of a climb, but well worth it, given the truly impressive scenery.
Only mother nature is capable of creating such a work of art: we are referring to the Toirano caves, sure to charm visitors of all ages thanks to the spectacular limestone formations, Palaeolithic human footprints and the fossilised remains of an enormous bear. The itinerary is quite easy (it takes about an hour) and certain stretches, particularly narrow, make the excursion quite exciting. And then the guides are excellent.
