A taste of authentic Italy: We discovered Liguria's hidden gems on an off-season road trip through north-west Italy.
Our journey began with a steaming pot of golden custard, the iconic Ligurian dessert, zabaglione. This sweet treat is a staple in Apricale, a picturesque village that feels worlds away from crowded Cinque Terre and posh Portofino. We arrived in Liguria during the winter months, when the region is less touristy, allowing us to immerse ourselves in local life.
We started our adventure in Ventimiglia, a charming town on France's border, where we indulged in fried calamari and Mediterranean views at Ü Funtanin's sun-soaked terrace. Our next stop was the historic upper town of Dolceacqua, with its grand castle and medieval alleys that made us feel like kids in a fairytale.
Aperitivo at Re Maggiore, a cozy restaurant in Dolceacqua, was a highlight, where every drink came with a complimentary plate of bites. We feasted on local specialties like trofie pasta with pesto and barbajuan fritters, paired with Rossese di Dolceacqua, an earthy red wine produced in the region's steep vineyards.
Our journey continued to Apricale, known for its artistic murals and historic architecture. We discovered a tranquil village that seemed frozen in time, with stray cats as our only companions. The Castello della Lucertola, a 10th-century castle, offered a glimpse into the Middle Ages, while the nearby da Bacì ristorante served up hearty rabbit stew.
We also visited Sanremo, a bustling city that was once a favorite retreat for European elite in the winter. Its ornate belle epoque hotels and villas are testaments to its past glory. We strolled along Via Giacomo Matteotti, window-shopped at Cantine Sanremesi, and rode bicycles along the Pista Ciclabile, a 15-mile coastal bike path that offered breathtaking views of the turquoise sea.
Our culinary journey took us to Osteria 1808 in Arma di Taggia, where we savored housemade tagliolini pasta with fresh-caught langoustines and fried anchovies. The owner, Francesco, sold us bottles of his renowned Taggiasca olive oil, which sealed our love affair with Liguria.
Liguria is a place that embodies la dolce vita – the sweet life – where spontaneity reigns and every moment feels like a taste sensation. As we explored this hidden corner of Italy, we discovered a region that was more than just a pretty face; it was a culinary and cultural gem waiting to be uncovered.
Our journey began with a steaming pot of golden custard, the iconic Ligurian dessert, zabaglione. This sweet treat is a staple in Apricale, a picturesque village that feels worlds away from crowded Cinque Terre and posh Portofino. We arrived in Liguria during the winter months, when the region is less touristy, allowing us to immerse ourselves in local life.
We started our adventure in Ventimiglia, a charming town on France's border, where we indulged in fried calamari and Mediterranean views at Ü Funtanin's sun-soaked terrace. Our next stop was the historic upper town of Dolceacqua, with its grand castle and medieval alleys that made us feel like kids in a fairytale.
Aperitivo at Re Maggiore, a cozy restaurant in Dolceacqua, was a highlight, where every drink came with a complimentary plate of bites. We feasted on local specialties like trofie pasta with pesto and barbajuan fritters, paired with Rossese di Dolceacqua, an earthy red wine produced in the region's steep vineyards.
Our journey continued to Apricale, known for its artistic murals and historic architecture. We discovered a tranquil village that seemed frozen in time, with stray cats as our only companions. The Castello della Lucertola, a 10th-century castle, offered a glimpse into the Middle Ages, while the nearby da Bacì ristorante served up hearty rabbit stew.
We also visited Sanremo, a bustling city that was once a favorite retreat for European elite in the winter. Its ornate belle epoque hotels and villas are testaments to its past glory. We strolled along Via Giacomo Matteotti, window-shopped at Cantine Sanremesi, and rode bicycles along the Pista Ciclabile, a 15-mile coastal bike path that offered breathtaking views of the turquoise sea.
Our culinary journey took us to Osteria 1808 in Arma di Taggia, where we savored housemade tagliolini pasta with fresh-caught langoustines and fried anchovies. The owner, Francesco, sold us bottles of his renowned Taggiasca olive oil, which sealed our love affair with Liguria.
Liguria is a place that embodies la dolce vita – the sweet life – where spontaneity reigns and every moment feels like a taste sensation. As we explored this hidden corner of Italy, we discovered a region that was more than just a pretty face; it was a culinary and cultural gem waiting to be uncovered.
. It's like they're intentionally slowing down the experience to make us wait. And don't even get me started on the navigation - I swear, the categories are all out of whack again 
. Can't they just sort them in a logical order? Anyway, back to Liguria... who knew there was so much to see and do beyond Cinque Terre? Apricale sounds like an amazing place to explore, but have you guys seen the font on this article? It's like they used Comic Sans from 2002 
. And what's with all the cheesy touristy phrases? "Hidden gems"... how original 
.
right now! liguria seems like such a cool spot to explore - i love the idea of stumbling upon hidden gems like apricale and dolceacqua. that zabaglione dessert sounds amazing too 
, who knew it was a staple in aporicale?! I'm totally adding sanremo to my bucket list now - those belle epoque hotels sound so Instagrammable 
. and tagliolini pasta with langoustines sounds like a match made in heaven 
. can't wait to try some of that taggiasca olive oil 
the food is insane!! i had the most epic trofie pasta with pesto at a tiny spot in dolceacqua, and the wines are to die for 
u gotta try the re maggiore aperitivo tho! every drink comes with these delicious little bites 
and the views of the med are, like, whoa 
i mean who knew apricale was the secret spot? i'm not surprised though, winters are always less crowded so you can actually experience the local vibe there. and that zabaglione dessert sounds insane 
i've tried some decent ones in milan but this one takes it to the next level! also, that pista ciclabile bike path is giving me serious wanderlust 
