Sanremo, Riviera of Flowers

When most of the countries in Europe had royal families (Bulgaria, Russia, Moldova etc), Sanremo was very much the place to be seen and discuss hem lengths. The atmosphere of the years before the First World War has been preserved in the parks and gardens of the fabulous turn of the century villas. Here is a little about some of them. Corso dell'Imperatrice - following the disappearance of the Maria Vittoria garden, where the Casino is now located, the idea of creating a tree lined walk which finished in an elegant garden was proposed in 1874. So was born the "corso di Mezzogiorno". Between 1874 and 1875 the Russian Empress Maria Alexandrovna (1824-1880) was holidaying at Sanremo for health reasons. This happy stay, enhanced by many friends and not just from the Russian community in Sanremo, left a pleasant memory. The tzarina subsequently donated an amount of money to her adopted city for the purchase of palm trees for planting along the new route. The city thus changed the name of the walk in honour of their prestigious guest. Villa Nobel - The celebrated inventor Alfred Nobel spent his final years here, to pass away. Purchasing the property in 1892, he continued to work and to experiment to the very end. Nobel undertook ballistic experiments on a small bridge which belonged to the garden. Obviously the neighbors were a little alarmed. Still in the park one can see the Bofors cannon dating from 1893. Nobel was in fact a principal investor in the Swedish company important at the time. Nobel demonstrated a particular personal taste, in love with oriental and mythical touches. Comune di Sanremo in Palazzo Bellevue - perhaps one of the most elegant public buildings in Italy. An old luxury hotel now used for public administration. It is reached by wide roads whose access is lined by fascinating and curious trees. It was erected between 1893 and 1894 by the architect Pietro Agosti (1873-1930). The residence was conceived as an exclusive palace with all the amenities of a hotel of the highest level. It has a white façade which suggested to the guests an exotic and precious place, both elegant and clean, yet overloaded with decoration. It is distinguished by a series of magnificent terraces facing the sea. Like all the old Sanremo hotels it has guested the very best, all v.i.ps. from the past. Standing out is the King of Egypt Faruq (1920-1965). A regular guest at Sanremo and a legendary player at the Casino.

ROYAL HOTEL SANREMO ITALIAN RIVIERA
A Deluxe Resort Hotel Uniquely Located On The Charming Riviera Of Flowers. Set In A Quiet, Magnificent Sub-tropical Park Of 16.000 Sq. Meters, It Overlooks The Mediterranean Sea In Splendid Position Above The Imperatrice Promenade And Next To The Casino And The Boutique Area. Opened In 1872 And Still Owned By The Bertolini Family, The Royal Hotel Has Celebrated Its 130th Anniversary Of Genuine Hotel Tradition. Once The Home Of The European Royalties And Aristocracy, It Still Remains The Place To Stay Between Monte-carlo And Portofino. Modern Comfort Meets With Tradition And Gastronomic Highlights.