Enchanted Villages in Italy: Discovering Western Liguria

Duration: 3 full days

Itinerary: from Genova to Dolceacqua, roundtrip: 394 kilometres

Equipment: a swimsuit and flip-flops for the beach, comfortable shoes to climb through the village streets

Enchanted villages, intricate paths among narrow alleys, arches and castles: an adventure on your Vespa awaits in Liguria’s magical corners, through the provinces of Imperia and Savona, giving you the chance to taste local specialties and delicacies. Start from Genova, but only after stocking up on focaccia, because, you know, riding makes you hungry. Helmet buckled, and off to the Riviera di Ponente, the western coast of Liguria: the first stop is in Verezzi, a couple of hours away from the main province. Leave the sea behind and climb towards the small village overlooking the cliff, apparently one of the most beautiful in Italy.

Every corner, alley or square seems to be perfectly made for a photo shoot, among pink stone houses with flower-embellished doors, terraces and gardens. The houses huddled together are reminiscent of Arab architecture; in fact, legend has it that Saracens, who arrived by boat, fell in love with these views and built a small stronghold here. If you are lucky enough, you can attend one of the open-air performances; every year people gather in piazza Sant'Agostino, where the starry sky above and the midnight blue of the sea just opposite make for a magical backdrop.

Are you ready to try a local dish? You can't leave the village without tasting the Verezzina stewed snails with all their delicious flavour. Before sunset, return to the seaside and enjoy some time on the beach in Borgio. Once you parked your Vespa, you wouldn’t want to go anywhere else. We suggest you stay overnight in one of the little hotels overlooking the sea (the hotel Rivamare is an option) and leave the next morning fully refreshed... maybe after a quick dip.

Continue your journey on your Vespa towards Alassio, less than an hour away, and don’t forget to visit the famous Muretto, a ceramic tiled wall featuring the signatures of showbiz and music celebs from the last century, including Mike Bongiorno, Lucio Dalla and Fabrizio De André, but even international personalities like Ernest Hemingway, too. Now, you can indulge in some shopping, not only for clothing but sweet delicacies: only here, in fact, can you find the true chocolate Baci biscuits, with cocoa and hazelnut filling. Apparently, the best ones are sold at Pane, Burro e Marmellata in via Torino. Stock up before you depart.

Get on the road towards Cervo which will take less than an hour. Make sure your camera is fully charged because it is said to be among the most picturesque villages in Italy. Park your Vespa temporarily at the entrance to the village and venture into a maze of narrow alleys that will lead you to the terrace overlooking the sea in the Corallini Square, which also features a beautiful church – a guarantee you’ll leave saying ‘wow’. Wander around among the artisan shops dreaming of buying absolutely everything, including ceramics, jewellery, coral items and leather and glass items. Indulge in a fish-based dinner at Serafino, where the menu changes daily according to local fresh fish, and why not spend the night here in one of the rooms or apartments available.

Waking up in such a nice village like Cervo makes leaving hard. But the next stop is just as magical, therefore, get on your Vespa and set the navigator for Bussana Vecchia. In less than an hour, you will feel catapulted into a place where time seems to stand still. In fact, that’s not so far from the truth; at the end of the 19th century an earthquake destroyed everything, and the village remained deserted, until a group of artists brought it back to life in the 1960s. For this reason, it is often still called "the artists’ village", also due to artisanal workshops and ateliers lining up on the narrow alleys and showcasing abstract paintings, painted rocks, handmade pipes and puppets. At lunchtime, you must try the Osteria degli Artisti da Davide, the oldest in the village. Ligurian cuisine is served on the vine-covered terrace with a view of the sea – an incredible and relaxing view.

After a glass of ammazzacaffè liquor, head towards Dolceacqua, the last leg of the journey through the enchanted villages in Liguria. Even Claude Monet fell in love with this small village and depicted it in four of his works. Vibes are more than positive thanks to a medieval atmosphere, narrow perched streets and a castle which is reachable by climbing a dense web of narrow streets where sunlight struggles to come through. Before getting to the Castle, have a glass of Rossese di Dolceacqua – a sweet, local wine available in the village wine shops. Don’t drink too much of it, of course, because soon you will have to head back to Genova, but only after your heart’s been filled with Ligurian magic.