As we pulled into Apricale, a tiny village perched on green hills, it felt as though we'd stumbled upon a fairy tale. The narrow streets were lined with colourful murals and charming stone buildings that seemed to lean in towards each other like old friends.
Our day began at the da Bacì ristorante, where we feasted on hearty local dishes such as coniglio (rabbit) stew with polenta and farinata (crispy chickpea fritters). The menu read like a love letter to Liguria's rich culinary heritage. As we sat down to eat, our waiter reassured us that everything was "amazing", an offer he seemed genuinely happy to uphold.
Next stop was the village of Dolceacqua, where we discovered Talking Stones hotel – a 19th-century gem with cosy stone rooms and modern whirlpool baths. The medieval Terra quarter beckoned, its picturesque Ponte Vecchio a testament to Claude Monet's brushstrokes. My niece and nephew wandered along Via Castello, awestruck by the "stone buildings that hugged them".
The road took us north to Sanremo, where we explored ornate belle epoque hotels, casinos and villas – including Alfred Nobel's former home. The city's Mercato Annonario was a feast for the senses, piled high with parmesan wheels, cured meats and Liguria's famous Taggiasca olive oil.
We cycled along the Pista Ciclabile, a 15-mile coastal bike path on former train tracks, whizzing through tunnels and past turquoise waters. At Osteria 1808 in Arma di Taggia, we indulged in housemade tagliolini pasta with fresh-caught langoustines and fried anchovies – the owner's enthusiasm was infectious.
For us, Liguria is a place to live firmly in the moment. Without tourists to contend with, our journey felt more authentic, more like a discovery of a hidden gem. As we gorged on delicious local food, sipped Rossese di Dolceacqua wine and explored medieval villages, it became clear that this western edge of Italy was where la dolce vita truly came alive.
In this winter wonderland, life moved at a slower pace, and spontaneity ruled the day. We laughed with locals, shared meals together, and discovered hidden treasures in every nook and cranny. This is Liguria – a place that celebrates comfort, simplicity, and community.
Our day began at the da Bacì ristorante, where we feasted on hearty local dishes such as coniglio (rabbit) stew with polenta and farinata (crispy chickpea fritters). The menu read like a love letter to Liguria's rich culinary heritage. As we sat down to eat, our waiter reassured us that everything was "amazing", an offer he seemed genuinely happy to uphold.
Next stop was the village of Dolceacqua, where we discovered Talking Stones hotel – a 19th-century gem with cosy stone rooms and modern whirlpool baths. The medieval Terra quarter beckoned, its picturesque Ponte Vecchio a testament to Claude Monet's brushstrokes. My niece and nephew wandered along Via Castello, awestruck by the "stone buildings that hugged them".
The road took us north to Sanremo, where we explored ornate belle epoque hotels, casinos and villas – including Alfred Nobel's former home. The city's Mercato Annonario was a feast for the senses, piled high with parmesan wheels, cured meats and Liguria's famous Taggiasca olive oil.
We cycled along the Pista Ciclabile, a 15-mile coastal bike path on former train tracks, whizzing through tunnels and past turquoise waters. At Osteria 1808 in Arma di Taggia, we indulged in housemade tagliolini pasta with fresh-caught langoustines and fried anchovies – the owner's enthusiasm was infectious.
For us, Liguria is a place to live firmly in the moment. Without tourists to contend with, our journey felt more authentic, more like a discovery of a hidden gem. As we gorged on delicious local food, sipped Rossese di Dolceacqua wine and explored medieval villages, it became clear that this western edge of Italy was where la dolce vita truly came alive.
In this winter wonderland, life moved at a slower pace, and spontaneity ruled the day. We laughed with locals, shared meals together, and discovered hidden treasures in every nook and cranny. This is Liguria – a place that celebrates comfort, simplicity, and community.
my friend tried the sea salt one and it was TO DIE FOR 
has anyone else tried them ?? we should totally go get some at the mall this weekend
the pics of those colorful murals & stone buildings are giving me major wanderlust vibes 
i mean who wouldn't wanna explore medieval villages, try all the local foodie faves (like coniglio stew & crispy chickpea fritters 
), and soak up the la dolce vita vibes 
it sounds like liguria is like the ultimate chill destination - no tourists to deal with = so much more authentic! 
i'm definitely adding this place to my bucket list ASAP 
. It's not just about indulging in delicious food and wine (although, let's be real, that doesn't hurt 
), but about embracing the beauty of imperfection and authenticity. Those charming stone buildings and narrow streets aren't just quaint; they're a reminder to appreciate the little things in life 
. And have you ever noticed how people truly smile when they're being themselves, unfiltered by the world's expectations? That's what this place has taught me – that sometimes it's okay to be a little messy and imperfect, because that's where the real magic happens 
they got this one tiny village in liguria called apricale and it's like stepping into a fairy tale 
liguria looks like the ultimate italian getaway 
those colourful murals in apricale are giving me major mood 
tagliasca olive oil and fresh-caught langoustines sound like the perfect pairing for me 
i need to get there ASAP and experience it for myself 
The fact that it feels like we've stumbled upon a fairy tale is a pretty good example of why Italy has been struggling with its tourism industry - they can't keep up with the demand from visitors who are just looking for a romantic getaway. And let's be real, the locals in these villages are probably feeling like they're losing their authentic charm to all the tourists who are coming in and out every summer.
. I love how they mention that the menu is a "love letter" to Liguria's culinary heritage, it's so romantic 
. It's like, you can finally breathe and explore without all the crowds and chaos. And the way they describe the locals laughing and sharing meals together... that's just the definition of community 
.
. It's like, sometimes we get so caught up in our busy lives that we forget to appreciate the little things. But places like this show us that there's beauty in slowing down and savoring life 
️.
, but what really stole the show was how chill everyone was 
. It felt like we were the only tourists for miles around! And the murals in Apricale? Mind blown 
.
. But what really struck me is how they said it felt more authentic without tourists around, like people were genuinely living their best lives without all the touristy trappings 
. I mean, can we all learn a thing or two from that?
I just got back from this Italian getaway to Liguria and I'm still on a high! 
and omg the food was insane 
i also loved the talking stones hotel in dolceacqua it's like stepping into a fairy tale storybook 
the pista ciclabile bike path was so much fun too we got to cycle along the coast and feel the ocean breeze in our hair 
i mean, u gotta try the coniglio stew with polenta, its life changing 
, like, who wouldn't want to stay in a 19th century gem? 
i also had the best time cycling along the pista ciclabile, it was so much fun whizzing through tunnels and past turquoise waters