The City of Music

San Remo is the capital town of the Italian Riviera of Flowers. In ancient days it was called Matuzia. The town lies in a wide inlet between Capo Nero and Capo Verde. San Remo is one of the most popular tourist resorts on the Mediterranean. It is an excellent base from which to explore the rocky coast and Ligurian hills.

The harbour is named Porto Vecchioto and docks more than four hundred and fifty boats and fifty fishing-boats. The closest airport to San Remo is in France, the Cote d'Azur International Airport Nice, and is only 45 minutes away by car or train.

The flowers are in bloom all year round. The city is one of the Mediterranean's most important centres for the production of flowers exporting blooms throughout Europe.

San Remo is known for its department stores, trendy boutiques, antique shops or outdoor markets. The most elegant street in town starts in corso Matteotti and is the best place to go shopping.

For lovers of shopping the alleys of the centre show a great deal of boutiques and typical shops. While on Tuesday and Saturday mornings the multicoloured open market of Piazza Eroi Sanremesi is certainly worth a visit. The market day of Ventimiglia market is on Fridays. Noise, colourful crowds, clothing bargains, African fake-goods sellers, hustle and bustle all can be seen here.

The Casino of San Remo was built at the beginning of the century. Emperor William II, King Faruk, personalities, celebrated movie-stars and thousand and thousand of faces, famous and unknown, in the course of decades have visited the casino. Gamblers flock from near and far to stake their bets on its baize tables. The casino was designed and built in Liberty style in 1905 by the French architect, Eugenio Ferret.

The first time the San Remo Song Festival was held in 1951. The Festival gradually gained prestige and the introduction of television in 1955 was pivotal in its definitive recognition. Great Italian artists have performed on the Festival stage. San Remo is the city of the music.

San Remo has very nice beaches overlooking the cool blue waters of the Ligurian Sea.

Borea d'Olmo Palace was built in the late-fifteenth century and it has always been owned by the Borea family a noble family of Venetian origin who was recognised as Marquises of Olmo by the Savoys. It has belonged to the Borea family for five centuries.

Douglas Scott writes for The Car Hire Specialist. and is a free lance writer for The San Remo Villa Rental Site