THE BALCONY OVERLOOKING THE SEA

If you don’t feel up to tackling a tough trail like the Pilgrim’s Way, you can venture onto another scenic, shorter and less demanding path: the Balcony on the Sea! Starting from our hotel, you will have to reach Strada Vecchia, near the old Saracen village: from here you will have to follow the ancient cobbled path, which will take you among typical dry stone walls cultivated with olive trees. You can admire the sea, below you, and Capo San Donato, in the distance.

Passing through a small gap, you will see that the paving stops to make way for an earthy mule track, which ascends to the right, becoming steeper. After a few minutes, however, the path flattens out and you will be able to enjoy a beautiful panorama: from Punta Crena to the Caprazoppa promontory, and even as far as Capo Mele (between Andora and Laigueglia, a town in the far west of Savona). The place is suggestive not only for the sight, but also for the smell: aromatic plants such as thyme, lavender and rosemary abound!

Proceeding on the flat area, rounding the hill, the descent soon begins: you will find signs pointing to the cetacean sanctuary, the portion of sea below you, and the junction with the Sentiero del Pellegrino (Pilgrim’s Path), which still climbs uphill. Don’t worry: luckily you will have to continue downwards! Near a hexagonal-shaped bench, we recommend a diversion to the Church of San Lorenzo, an ancient Benedictine monastery overlooking the Bay of Saracens.

In no time at all, you will be back on the pavement you travelled at the beginning: at this point, if you are not too tired, we recommend a further diversions to the Costa hamlet and Punta Crena! In order to visit these two other points of interest, from Strada Vecchia you will have to proceed on the asphalt road towards the path leading to Punta Crena. You will see the remains of Borgata Costa, destroyed in a violent earthquake at the end of the 19th century. Continuing through the forest, in ten minutes you will reach the Punta Crena Tower, a spectacular viewpoint, just above the historic centre of Varigotti.

Turning back, taking the path on the left, between low walls and olive trees, you will find yourself directly in the old village!