Places....

This month, I'm thinking about the Italian Riviera. While the French Riviera gets the press, my mind goes to Alassio. Not on the trendy Cinque Terre, boasting no Relais and Chateau hotels, nor any royalty, Alassio is the perfect Italian Coastal town.

I was "lucky" enough to be on a bus from Nice to Genoa in 1980 that broke down in Alassio. With no urgent need to be in Genoa, my Sorbonne roommate, her (hunky French - another story entirely) brother and I found a place to stay for the night. It cost us the equivalent of about $18 (total, not each) and included breakfast... and I fell in love with this little corner of paradise.

Now, when I go back to Italy, I will make time to go to Alassio. While Theirry (the hunky brother) is not there (married with children in the 7th arrondissement! Quel Horreur!), the spectacular natural beauty is, as are the quaint places to shop, dine and soak in the sunshine and the wonderful climate. The hotel of choice there now is the Hotel Diana - right on the beach!

I'm pretty sure that heaven looks like Alassio.