Villa degli Ulivi

Villa degli Ulivi

, Via Manie 32/B, Finale Ligure.

Standing high on the hillside hovering about the beach and marina at Finale Ligure, Villa degli Ulivi B&B is an elegant villa built on the foundations of a stone cottage on the old Salt Road. Historic yet modern, this small bed and breakfast offers old-fashioned hospitality with a 21st century flavour. A personal welcome awaits every guest.

The garden that surrounds the house has flagstone paths meandering amongst the lawns and terraces. It is planted with flowers, lavender, rosemary and the olive trees that lend the villa its name. The commanding position gives wonderful sea views along an extensive stretch of the Ligurian coast.

Breakfasts at Villa degli Ulivi are true products of the land. Depending on the season you will find orange and apricot marmalades, honey from the Benedictine Apiary of Finalpia, homemade cakes or traditional biscuits. What better way to begin the day than with breakfast on the terrace overlooking the sea view, or perhaps in the window of the breakfast room where the view is just as good.

The guest bedrooms are comprehensively equipped with everything for a comfortable holiday: air-conditioning and heating, a kettle, minibar, hair dryer, en-suite bathroom. They all enjoy breathtaking views of the bright blue sky, the cobalt blue sea and the ever-changing hues of the Mediterranean hillsides. There’s a room with a massive spa bath for two, and a good size private balcony. And then there’s the Panoramic room which adds in a big private terrace with sunbeds and even an outdoor shower, a coffee machine, the bathroom has a walk-in shower and there’s even a stove for winter evenings.

It’s only a short drive down to the beaches at Finale Ligure and Varigotti, which are popular areas throughout the summer. Out of season, they are popular with sailors, wind-surfers and divers. Inland from the narrow coastal strip of the Ligurian coast, the hills provide dramatic scenery for walkers and cyclists, the mountains are ideal for climbers and there are also many caves, some which have signs of human habitation dating back 60,000 years. Finalborgo is reputedly one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, and Varigotti, Noli and Le Spiagge are places not to be missed.