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SEASIDE SILENCIO - Villa Balbi Sestri Levante
Historic Villa Hotel on Italy's Liguria Coast
On
Italy’s Portofino Coast in Liguria to the east of Genoa, along the
shore of the Gulf of Tigullio which forms the curve tucked into the top
of Italy’s boot in the Liguria region, called the Riviera Levante,
the peninsula seaside village harbor of Sestri Levante has been a holiday
getaway for the Genovese wealthy for hundreds of years. Looking for a
quiet respite from the bustle of business they built their exclusive villas
around the sandy hidden cove of Sestri’s “Bay of Silence”,
where still today you can hear the lap of the fisherman’s row boat
oars across the calm waters of the bay in the morning mist.
One
of the first glorious villas of the 17th Century was built by the Balbi
family for their vacation home away from home. In 1947 the Villa
Balbi was converted into a hotel and is the centerpiece of the Sestri beachfront
seaside resort. The Balbi Palace which forms the reception and common
rooms of the hotel keeps it’s old world charm, with it’s magnificent
lobby fireplace and antique elegant furnishings. Romantic and cozy. The
enclosed ground of the mansion form a park where the Il Parco restaurant
serves Ligurian cuisine of fish from the local markets. The Grand Hotel
Villa Balbi also has it’s own beach area and is steps from the many
beachfront restaurants.
The
architectural style of this area of Italy along the Liguria Rivieria is
quite fascinating. The old buildings have been constructed with the flat
stucco gray plaster common in old Italy, but here the flat walls have
been painted with a colorful faux architectural detail, making for a 3D
painting-like experience as you stroll the narrow streets and alleys.
As the sun sets late the central walking zones fill with locals hanging
out at the many popular bars, restaurants and gelato shops in this old
section of town separated from the main modern city. (See Also: WARM
NIGHTS - Laigueglia Romantic Hideaway on the Italian Riviera)
The budget friendly
prices at the Villa Balbi are a reasonable bargain for a four star seaside
hotel - around 155 Euros for a double (100 for a single) in the off-peak
season before mid-June and after August - going up to about 190 Euros
in the high summer season. Perfect for a romantic getaway or honeymoon
on the Italian Riveria. Perhaps because crossing the Ligurian hills to
get here (about 2 hours drive from Milan, 40 minutes from Genoa) makes
it off the beaten path, and so all the more a discovery. ©
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Other ITALY
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SEE ALSO:
SUN,
SEA AND ANCIENT CULTURE
Learn Italian in Italy's Puglia Region
FORTIFIED
PORTO ERCOLE
ROME
IN RUINS - A Walking Tour
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