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I traveled to Liguria for the first time in 2013 and since then I have to visit the Riviera of Flowers at least once a year.

From the first moment, I was fascinated by the authenticity, the diversity of the landscapes, and the people.

Liguria is located in the northwest of Italy between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Maritime Alps. The region is characterized by its impressive mountains with its traditional mountain villages, small bays, picturesque, little harbor towns, and impressive hiking trails. Our journey today takes us to the province of Imperia, which is one of the sunniest regions in Italy.

Imperia, the small coastal town, was created by merging the towns of Porto Maurizio and Oneglia and is not a typical tourist resort. People live and work here all year round and even in winter, the town is full of life. It offers a good selection of restaurants, shops, sandy beaches, and the typical bagnos. The port of Imperia, which is well worth seeing, once served as the setting for the film Bourne Identity.

Charming Borgomaro

High up in the hills of the province of Imperia, not far from the coast, lies the sleepy village of Borgomaro. The small houses are aligned uphill in the typical Ligurian style. In the center is the village square with a church and a small grocery shop. This is where the children and young people meet in the evenings. It feels a little like traveling back in time! The crumbling plaster of the houses, the church bells that ring every hour and announce the time, the silence and yet bustle of the small village, all this has a calming effect and one has the feeling of having finally arrived. A bridge leads over the Impero River directly to the Relais del Maro, an Albergo Diffuso. 


Albergo Diffuso – the preservation of mountain villages

The concept behind it is to save villages from decay. Many places in Italy have been depopulated by earthquakes or other natural events. At some point, people have given up trying to rebuild their homes. The Italian tourism consultant Gian-Carlo Dall’Ara wanted to put an end to this decline with his idea. By rebuilding homes and at the same time creating holiday apartments and houses, the inhabitants could refinance their expenses and the villages could be preserved. Guests have the opportunity to participate in life in a historic mountain village while enjoying the amenities of a hotel. 


Relais del Maro

Relais del Maro has fourteen rooms spread over three historic buildings in the village of Borgomaro. The host family Scalambrin is deeply rooted in the region. Motivated to continue telling the stories of their ancestors and to preserve the culture and tradition of the area. This is how the Relais del Maro was born, with its countless loving details and the desire to share all this with its guests. It is a magical place and the many regular customers are testimony to the exceptional hospitality of the Scalambrin family.