Rundown Ventimiglia in Italy
I was in Ventimiglia last year sometime in early December, which now seemed like an eternity as many things have transpired since then. Life moves on so fast but how strange it is to say I was there last year when it was actually just last month? Just 4 weeks ago.
My original plan was to spend an extra 5 days in the Riviera around the 2nd week of December, this time hopping over to the less swanky Italian side of the Riviera. I am so resolved, and so literally lusting over this, in visiting Portofino (this one is a swanky town) and panoramic Cinque Terre, the old 5 rock cliff coastal villages. I have everything mapped out, my itinerary, which hotels to stay, the train schedules, and I spent days searching for flights back to Holland via Genoa and Pisa, and nights reading tons and tons of articles, travel reviews, and blogs about the hike trails.
As I was looking forward to hiking Cinque Terre I got seriously worried about the weather situation eventually spoiling this holiday. Besides the cold, the trails could be wet, slippery, and muddy in December therefore spelling a very bleak travel forecast for me. Well, I didn’t dare risk the chance and decided to postpone the trip this spring when the weather is more cooperative.
Nonetheless, since I was near the border of France and Italy, and being an aficionado of the Italian cuisine, I must go to Italy! Pronto! The rented car made it easier for me. I paid Sixt less than a €90 for a weekend, thus there is no excuse not to rove around. I was actually eyeing on Bussana Vecchia, a small medieval ghost town on top of a mountain further ahead Ventimiglia near San Remo. The story behind this place is quite poignant yet very inspiring. Abandoned by its villagers in the late 1800’s, it came back to life when a group of bohemian artists settled the place in the 1960’s. Reconstruction of Bussana Vecchia followed and the once ghost town in ruins state has now become a very important historic monument in Liguria. Well, what else, I want to visit it!
For many reasons I’d rather not expound, I didn’t get to Bussana Vecchia, instead I got lost meandering about in the streets of Ventimiglia. At the back of my head, there’s this broken record playing, again and again – you should have gone to Bussana Vecchia... you should have gone to Bussana Vecchia...
Ventimiglia has this ramshackle appearance and squalid ambiance about her. It’s an ancient city that struggled through violent wars and raids, and different lordships. She has this eerie mood, kind of like the type of city you don’t want to be left alone when dusk creeps in. Perhaps this has greatly something to do with the Old Town (Ventimiglia Alta) not looking well kept compared to sanitized Menton in France just a few kilometers away over the border.
I really had mixed feelings about Ventimiglia, and with my Bussana Vecchia conscience chanting and echoing strongly from the back of my mind, it didn’t help much. Nevertheless, I didn’t let this slow me on my track. So I went to look for the public market for my favorite comfort food of all times – dried cured sausages! See post here: Ventimiglia Market
There is also an Italian supermarket along the highway (this is by the curve) by the French-Italian border for last minute shopping. I stopped there on the way back to the France and bought a few Italian goodies to bring home: Limoncello, Italian pasta spice mixes (Arabiatta I love them), and chocolates. I didn’t know Italian chocolates were so yummy? I only bought 2 bags and I regretted not buying more.
In summary I was more pleased with my Italian fares than my actual visit to Ventimiglia. Oh well, shit happens with traveling sometimes.
Travel Period: November 2007
Destination: Ventimiglia (Imperia - Liguria), Italy
Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Diaries by Dutched Pinay Travels
Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
Ventimiglia, the Italian city by the border of France in Liguria. You see Ventimiglia Alta on the foto which means Ventimiglia Old City.
My original plan was to spend an extra 5 days in the Riviera around the 2nd week of December, this time hopping over to the less swanky Italian side of the Riviera. I am so resolved, and so literally lusting over this, in visiting Portofino (this one is a swanky town) and panoramic Cinque Terre, the old 5 rock cliff coastal villages. I have everything mapped out, my itinerary, which hotels to stay, the train schedules, and I spent days searching for flights back to Holland via Genoa and Pisa, and nights reading tons and tons of articles, travel reviews, and blogs about the hike trails.
As I was looking forward to hiking Cinque Terre I got seriously worried about the weather situation eventually spoiling this holiday. Besides the cold, the trails could be wet, slippery, and muddy in December therefore spelling a very bleak travel forecast for me. Well, I didn’t dare risk the chance and decided to postpone the trip this spring when the weather is more cooperative.
I have to admit, there is some charm in the old, tattered and dingy.
Nonetheless, since I was near the border of France and Italy, and being an aficionado of the Italian cuisine, I must go to Italy! Pronto! The rented car made it easier for me. I paid Sixt less than a €90 for a weekend, thus there is no excuse not to rove around. I was actually eyeing on Bussana Vecchia, a small medieval ghost town on top of a mountain further ahead Ventimiglia near San Remo. The story behind this place is quite poignant yet very inspiring. Abandoned by its villagers in the late 1800’s, it came back to life when a group of bohemian artists settled the place in the 1960’s. Reconstruction of Bussana Vecchia followed and the once ghost town in ruins state has now become a very important historic monument in Liguria. Well, what else, I want to visit it!
For many reasons I’d rather not expound, I didn’t get to Bussana Vecchia, instead I got lost meandering about in the streets of Ventimiglia. At the back of my head, there’s this broken record playing, again and again – you should have gone to Bussana Vecchia... you should have gone to Bussana Vecchia...
Ventimiglia has this ramshackle appearance and squalid ambiance about her. It’s an ancient city that struggled through violent wars and raids, and different lordships. She has this eerie mood, kind of like the type of city you don’t want to be left alone when dusk creeps in. Perhaps this has greatly something to do with the Old Town (Ventimiglia Alta) not looking well kept compared to sanitized Menton in France just a few kilometers away over the border.
A unbiquituous sight in many southern European compact cities: Laundry.
Ready for the Christmas lights.
I really had mixed feelings about Ventimiglia, and with my Bussana Vecchia conscience chanting and echoing strongly from the back of my mind, it didn’t help much. Nevertheless, I didn’t let this slow me on my track. So I went to look for the public market for my favorite comfort food of all times – dried cured sausages! See post here: Ventimiglia Market
There is also an Italian supermarket along the highway (this is by the curve) by the French-Italian border for last minute shopping. I stopped there on the way back to the France and bought a few Italian goodies to bring home: Limoncello, Italian pasta spice mixes (Arabiatta I love them), and chocolates. I didn’t know Italian chocolates were so yummy? I only bought 2 bags and I regretted not buying more.
In summary I was more pleased with my Italian fares than my actual visit to Ventimiglia. Oh well, shit happens with traveling sometimes.
The stone bridge to the old city.
Goodbye Ventimiglia!
Travel Period: November 2007
Destination: Ventimiglia (Imperia - Liguria), Italy
Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Diaries by Dutched Pinay Travels
Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
