We're considering San Remo as a day trip from Monaco. We are staying near Monaco for free but want to see more of Italy instead of Cote d'Azur. Any idea on what to do/see in San Remo & surroundings?

I assume you are driving...SR is not big, I cannot remember anything specific except wondering around
( a big market one day of the week. - did not look interesting.)
There is an old iabandoned town town near. - Bussana Vecchia ...a long walk up the hill
from Bussana, .
SR is o.k. to visit, but the Italian side of the border is less attractive than the French.
We really liked Menton.

I would put San Remo firmly in the camp of seen better days, shabby chic. I'd take a pass. If you want to get a taste of Italy, just drive over the border along the coast, have lunch, and then go back to France.

Thanks, San Remo is not a border town , there is no french side. Perhaps you got it mixed up.

Any other Fodorite know San Remo?

If you are interested in science, visit Villa Nobel. Then for botanical gardens visit Villa Ormond. The old town, La Pigna, will take you all the way up to Santuario della Madonna della Costa for a beautiful view. Shopping along Via Matteotti is great and will lead you to the Casino and the Russian Church.

Bussana Vecchia is hard to get to with public transportation. Buses from San Remo will leave in Bussana Nuova and the hike is long (4 km, if I remember right) and uphill. Buses from the new to the old abandoned town are at the most twice daily. I started hiking and ended up being picked up by an artist on a moto. I felt like in an Italian movie, but in hindsight I should have not started the hike alone.

we tried driving to BV, but the road was too narrow...so we walked. It was an interesting spot to see.

, SR is not a border town, but it is not very far from the border.
We were there about six years ago, but I don't remember much.
I guess, it was not that memorable.

I know it's not a border town. I assumed you were based in France and thinking of driving into Italy to San Remo for a day or so.

Thanks for the good info on La Pigna & the ghost town Busana (International Artist Village).
They look interesting to visit plus I was told that the city should be covered with flowers by now. I just met some ex-Ligurians who also recommended exploring the carruggi in nearby Taggia to get to the beach just east of San Remo.

Hope to draw more info on San Remo & surroundings. We'll be driving a car. We'd like to try the black asparagus which is in season in Albengo near Savonna.

We did go to Arma di Taggia... seemed a pleasant spot .It was early May - not a tourist season yet .Enjoyed eating in the local restaurant full of Italian families..no English menu.
Was glad I speak the language...The beaches and the color of the sea are different than the French coast.
The road to Bussana Vecchia was so narrow we had to leave the car half way up.
We drove to Imperia for an afternoon. ......very scenic drive.

Dannon: sounds great, I have been going to Italian conversation groups and taking two advanced conversation classes for a couple of years so I'm looking for immersion in Italy.
Can you tell me about Imperia?

Sorry, I am not very helpful....we mostly went " for a ride" along the sea.
It was hard to find parking in the old center ...we had. gelato near the beach and walk around a bit without exploring much.
probably much livelier place in season.
The Italian side ( we were in Nice and the nearby towns earlier in the trip) seemed much less
polished and glamorous ; we enjoyed the contrast and the "local"feel .

I love San Remo - - the old town is better than anything on the French side of the border. The market is fabulous. Since it is on the 'decline' it is fabulously genuine and real and in many ways vivid and exciting. I would rather be there than anywhere on Cote d'Azur. I think it is frickin spectacular. Here are some piccies from my last visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/douglas...7632061012447/

Thanks for posting the link to your pictures of San Remo. I agree with you the Riviera Levante has that "has been" look, that said, most parts of Nice also looks like they need a good scrubbing and fresh paint. I remember thinking about how scruffy the city of Nice appears to be.

We based in Menton (it has a casino and a nifty old town btw) and our hotel took us to the big market at Ventimigila. We enjoyed it AND being dropped off with someone else driving.

I read somewhere that San Remo is Monaco "lite" so I'd be curious about your reaction if you do go.