European Adventure 2013

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We were surprised to find a place called Hanbury Botanic Gardens in the town of Ventimiglia Italy but were attracted to it as it was voted No 1 attraction in the town on Trip Advisor. The gardens occupy 45 acres of land and were constructed by a very wealthy Englishman called Thomas Hanbury in the 1870s. They were sold to the Italian State in 1960 by Hanbury’s daughter-in-law, then in 1987 they were entrusted to the University of Genoa who continue to manage them. A magnificent Palazzo on the property was originally built in the 11^thCentury but has been modified and added to over the years. It is only one of many beautiful structures on the property including temples, fountains, statues, covered archways and family memorials. The gardens which were terraced down to the Mediterranean Sea, contained plants from all over the world, many in themed areas including to our surprise, an Australian native forest. There were amazing collections of cacti and a pond with lots of captivating little tortoises. An ancient Roman Way, the Via Aurelia, passes through the property.

After lunch we headed into the hills above Ventimiglia to the town of Dolceaqua, famous for its wine, old bridge (subject of a painting by Monet in 1884) and castle reached after a strenuous climb through the tortuous alleyways of the ancient 12^th Century town. There were lovely views down the Val Nervia which stretches 20km to the sea from the Alpes Maritimes mountain ridges.

Another interesting attraction was watching a game of European handball played by two teams in a very vigorous fashion in the town square. On occasions, the ball would soar up 4 storeys into someone’s balcony and many times looked like it would break a window or hit the beautiful church that bordered the square. Many locals were gathered to watch the game on chairs alongside or hanging out of windows. Back to Ventimiglia where we had a glass of wine and a “scratch meal” from the local deli on the balcony of our B&B as all restaurants were closed, it being Mon night!

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Photos

Ventimiglia - Hanbury Botanic Gardens
View from Gardens over the Mediterranean Sea

Ventimiglia - Hanbury Botanic Gardens
Tortoises sunning themselves in one of the ponds

Ventimiglia - Hanbury Botanic Gardens
Temple (based on a Moroccan temple) designed by an Italian architect

Ventimiglia - Hanbury Botanic Gardens
Via Aurelia - ancient Roman Way on which many famous people have walked

Ventimiglia - Hanbury Botanic Gardens
The Palazzo

Ventimiglia - Hanbury Botanic Gardens
View from the Palazzo

Dolceaqua
Bridge immortalised by Monet with 11th Century castle in background

Dolceaqua
Alleyways in the old town

Dolceaqua
View from the castle up the Val Nervia to the Mountains

Dolceaqua
View from the castle of the "new town"