Riviera delle Palme Excursions program
Toirano Caves (Distance Loano-Toirano: 8 km)
A half-day excursion: leaving from Loano 2 Village we reach Toirano. Guided visit (1 h.) of the Cave “Grotta della Basura” (280 m.) with its galleries and chambers with natural concretions, fossil fragments, as well as paw prints on the floor and marks left by claw scratches on the cave walls. Guided visit to Toirano, ancient medieval village where you can see the S. Martino Church and to visit the Museum of the old country population (still included in the price of Toirano Caves). The visit to the caves is not recommended to people with movement problem.
Alassio Shopping and the historical centre of Albenga (Distance Loano-Albenga: 11 km Distance Loano-Alassio: 17 km)
Guided visit to the historic centre of Albenga and visit to the Sommariva Oil Mill including oil tasting. Than visit to Alassio. In addition to be famous as the Citta' del Muretto, this splendid place of the Rivera delle Palme (the Palm-Trees Riviera) also presents other superb destinations such as the Budello, an ancient caruggio (the Ligurian term which means alley) which is parallel to the beach and which crosses all the city. Here you can do relaxing shops.
Albisola and its ceramics (Distance Loano-Albisola: km 37)
Albisola is a little town in the province of Savona, which together with its position as an appreciated holiday resort, can also claim a national importance in the field of ceramics and majolica. The Albisola ceramic is famous, above all, for its characteristic colour white and blue, known as "Antico Savona". Famous is Albissola promenade, known as The Artists' promenade. In fact, it's an out-and-out mosaic almost a Kilometer long; that's why it can be considered an unique opera in Europe. Just on this splendid promenade you will be able to admire amazing and astonishing artworks not far from every kind of amusement. Visit to the neoclassical Villa Faraggiana. Departure from Loano 2 Village at 9h00. Return around 12h30.
Savona (Distance Loano-Savona: km 39)
Guided visit to the Priamar fortress and to the “Cappella Sistina”: Savona Priamar Fortress is one of the symbol of the town, it was built in the 16th century by the republic of Genoa. Giuseppe Mazzini was imprisoned there where he elaborated the ideas about the Italian unification. In some rooms there is a museum entitled to Sandro Pertini one of the most loved Italian presidents. Frescos of great value can be seen in the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Asumption: the Sistina chapel built at the wish of Sixtus IV.
Genoa Aquarium(Distanza Loano-Genoa: km 85)
Visit to the Porto Antico (Old Port). 2 hours free to be spent in the aquarium, the largest in Europe, walking between amazing cold sea, tropical sea, Mediterranean and sweet water pools. More than 500 kinds of different fishes in 59 basins. In 1988 the City of Genoa employed the famous architect Renzo Piano to reconstruct the Porto Antico, the famous Genoese seaport for the Expo '92 Genova, the celebration of the 500 years of the discovery of America. The work included also the Aquarium of Genoa and Bigo, the panoramic elevator. Lunch. Afternoon: visit to the historic centre of Genoa, today part of the UNESCO World Heritage. The old city is rich in thick “caruggi” (little lanes), historical palaces, beautiful squares and churches.
Sanremo Shopping (Distance Loano-Sanremo: km 72)
Getting in Sanremo early afternoon, short walk along Corso Matteotti. Guided visit to: the Orthodox Russian Church, the Casino, the San Siro Cathedral, the Ariston Theatre. Free time to play Casino or for shopping in the elegant boutiques. Stop in Sanremo around 2h30.
Genoa Rapallo and Portofino (Distance Loano-Genoa: km 85 Loano-Rapallo: km 112 Loano-Portofino: km 119)
Short sightseeing tour of Genoa by bus through the ancient part of the town and the new one. Travelling along the coast we reach Rapallo. Free lunch time and visit of Rapallo. Afternoon: by boat along Golfo of Tigullio we get to the famous Portofino, typical Ligurian fishing village with its colourful houses, is one of the most famous locations in the world . 1h30 stop over. Late afternoon return to the Hotel.
Monaco Montecarlo (Distance Loano-Monaco: km 108)
10h30 arrival at Monaco. 4 hours stop. Visit to the Rocca walking along Saint Martin-Bellando de Castro Avenue. There you can see from the outside the Cathedral, Byzantine-style, where the Prices’ tombs are preserved. Facultative visit to the luxury rooms of the Palace. At 11:55 changing of the guard at the Price’s Palace. Lunch and free time to visit the Jacques Cousteau Oceanographic Museum. In the afternoon transfer to Fontville quarter and visit to the Automobile Museum. 1 hour stop in Monte-Carlo to visit the Casino. At 17:15 departure and return to Italy. Ticket for Price’s Palace and for Museums are not included.
Nice and Saint Paul de Vence (artistic village) (Distance Loano-Nice: km 120 Loano-Saint Paul de Vence: km 143)
Early morning arrival at Eze, along the way to Nice, visit to the Fragonard perfumery where is possible to buy exclusive products with special prices. 30 minuts stop. Travelling along Promedade des Anglais, facultative sightseeing of Nizza by a folk train. Transfer by bus to the elegant Roman Quarter of Cimiez and visit to its garden full of flowers where the ruins of the anphitheatre and the roman Baths are preserved. Stop in Nice for lunch. Early afternoon transfer to Saint Paul de Vence and visit to the prestigious village that gradually, with the increasing popularity of the French Riviera, proved irresistible to artists. A village clinging to a mountain side, 180 meters above sea level, surrounded by walls, facing the sea and the Provence. Walking along the alleys you will be able to discover what painters and artists created and you can buy Provencal presents.