Do you think summer is over only because September is here? Not in Liguria, and especially not on its western coast blessed with a mild climate which offers incredible opportunities for more time in the sun.

Bordighera, whose lights and colours made the great Monet fall in love with it is the ideal town for an off-season weekend.

You can start from the old part, Bordighera Alta with a walk through its narrow alleys and historic villas surrounded by greenery: Villa Garnier designed by the French architect who lived there for years, Villa Etelinda which hosted queens and artists and Villa Regina Margherita, a private residence commissioned by the queen herself.

After a lunch with sea view at the Romolo Amarea Restaurant, you can go for a walk in the afternoon along the Beodo Trail among palm trees and beautiful sea views or for a last dip along the long Rattaconigli Beach. As the sun starts to set, one of the most romantic places to visit is the small Church of Sant’Ampelio built on the rocks. For dinner you can enjoy the creative dishes of Magiargè Osteria Contemporanea before heading to the Grand Hotel Del Mare Resort & Spa for some relaxation.

The next day you can explore the countryside. It is worth seeing the village of Dolceacqua with its medieval bridge and the castle of the Dorias often depicted by Monet. Here you can also enjoy a glass of Rossese, the first Ligurian DOC wine.

You can then head to Apricale with its enchanting maze of stone alleys and visit the Lucertola castle. After a break at the Trattoria Bar a Ciassa for lunch, you can continue towards Perinaldo where you can visit the observatory dedicated to astronomer Giovanni Domenico Cassini born here in 1625. And to conclude the tour of these enchanting villages perched on the hills with Pigna which offers a magnificent view of Val Nervia. Then for a perfect ending, dinner at the Terme: Ligurian dishes and warm hospitality.