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If tourism began anywhere in
Liguria it must have been Bordighera. The exiled patriot in
England Giovanni Ruffini introduced the English to the charms
of the Western Riviera in the nineteenth century when setting
the story of his successful novel "Il Dottor Antonio" in the
city of palms. Since then Bordighera has become one of the
most prestigious international holiday destinations. The Ligurian
Ingauni tribe were the first inhabitants of the area. In Roman
times, it was crossed by the Via Julia Augusta. Legend tells
that the Anchorite Sant'Ampelio brought some date stones here
from Egypt in 411 AD, which then grew into the characteristic
palm trees: mixing in with the olive trees, pine trees and
the typical Mediterranean plants and shrubs, the palms create
a unique scenic effect, almost an oriental corner in the heart
of Liguria. Sant'Ampelio lived in a cave by the sea on the
spot where a small church was later built (and can still be
seen) together with a castle that was destroyed by the Genoese
in the fourteenth century. The town is divided into two parts:
the fortified mediaeval part and the nineteenth-century extension.
There are many things to be seen: the Town Hall building with
its works by artists from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries,
the fountain and statue of Magiargé, which tell a moving story
of love, the tower-houses and the many signs left by all of
the famous people who have stayed there, including Margherita
of Savoy (her villa is splendid), Monet and Dickens. The seventeenth-century
parish church of Santa Maria Maddalena, with a fine bell tower
made from a tower taken from another building, holds the relics
of Sant'Ampelio, the patron saint of the town. Nearby you
can go for long walks through the lush vegetation of the parks
and gardens: the Beodo path, the gardens of Moreno and Lowe
and the exotic Pallanca garden. The international public library
was founded at the beginning of the twentieth century thanks
to a donation made by English tourists. The leisure harbour
can hold up to 280 boats. The very recent sports centre has
a multi-purpose sports area, a five-a-side football pitch
and two swimming pools. ( Tanks to Regione Liguria Official
website )
Hotel suggestions :
Hotel
Royal Sanremo *****L
Hotel
Selection in Riviera
Last
Minute in Riviera
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FRENCH
RIVIERA 
