Take a day trip to the dreamy small village of Dolceacqua near Sanremo, Italy! This charming town sits at the base of French border town Dolceacqua about a half hour away with the Doria Castle climbing high in the sky and is the location of the Pinacoteca Giovanni Morscio, a museum dedicated to the works of local painter Morscio (1887–1972) and other 20th-century Italian and French artists. It is also known for its medieval bridge somehow suspended in air by stone and physics, which was painted by Claude Monet. The is one of the many day trips Europa Palace Sanremo offers guests. If hiking up winding cobblestone streets is not your pace, perhaps a boat ride from Sanremo, Italy to Nice, France is more your speed sipping wine or cocktails next to the Côte d’Azur for just $100 Euro per person. We enjoyed a guided tour with a local man named Alexander who gave us all the nitty gritty details such as the church is losing its youth following much like ‘Merica. Afterwards, we enjoyed a wine tasting and light lunch which means the opposite actually in Italy so beware! The Italians are feeders like the French, don’t let them fool you. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten so many carbs in one sitting but it paired perfectly with the region’s wine at Enoteca RE, seemingly carved into the side of the castle. Just watch your steps, go slow and steady on your way down! Learn more about this relaxed pace of life and book through the hotel at europapalacesanremo.com.
We loaded up two Mercedes vans in Sanremo with our press tripping crew and embarked on an adventure that will forever live in my memory for its sweeping views, endless winding cobblestone streets and delicious tastes of the region. Upon arrival, we began our journey with Alexander who lives and loves this town so much. He was a wealth of knowledge and had a very wry sense of humor which I found charming. The key to exploring this space is to take your time, slow down and walk carefully as your eyes fill with wonder and awe. Keep an eye on your feet and wear the most comfortable walking shoes you have as it’s no joke going up and away to where the sky meets the castle. I would like to also thank Gen Z for making sneakers with dresses cool again and also bringing back T-shirts under summer dresses as a nod to 90s fashion. Ya’ll saved my feet and skin from certain sunburn! We were blessed with a cloudy, blue skies day with a slight breeze that when it hit just right, felt amazing. In the inner parts of stone, it was a bit cold but nothing a good hike couldn’t shake off. I almost brought a hoodie but glad I didn’t in retrospect. Now onwards to the top of the castle!
The Doria Castle or Castello dei Doria purposely overlooks Dolceacqua and is situated in a dominant, militant position. According to the website, the first mention of the castle called Dulzana at the time, dates back to 1177 in an ancient document in which abuts the property of the counts of Ventimiglia. Originally the structure was composed in the XII century by a circular tower which still exists at the center of the complex and by a smaller building at the office of guard. The castle was enlarged in the XVI century by the then lord local Stefano Doria, to which he added to the previous structure a bastion rammed in the eastern sector and the two square towers are identical. Today the structure appears as divided into two blocks, the front part was in fact intended to control and safety of the village as well as local service, prisons and warehouses; the rear, connected with the front body through a large courtyard, was instead where they were located the environments of the representation and reception of guests as did the local lords.
Our van arrived right here, across from the town of Dolceacqua with the river running low.To the right, a restaurant plays Johnny Cash in Dolceacqua towards the beautiful bridge.A mill remains in tact next to the river in Dolceacqua. Someone was feeding a cat nearby as dishes and food remained.So you know where you are, always look for signs in Dolceacqua.A fresco in excellent condition to start our tour in Dolceacqua depicts life in another realm.Eventually we did climb across this bridge to get to the other side in Dolceacqua.Into the cold stone tunnels we go went in Dolceacqua!It’s amazing to think this has existed for centuries in Dolceacqua.Our group gets filled with cultural information in Dolceacqua.A crest on the ground to remind you where you are in Dolceacqua.People living closer to the sky to stay warm in Dolceacqua.Don’t drink the water in Dolceacqua unless you want to taste questionable things.A knightly mural on the wall in Dolceacqua with his trusty stead.If you can read Italian, have at it in Dolceacqua.A very moody entranceway on the winding streets in Dolceacqua.Every direction was thoughtfully crafted in Dolceacqua.I kept getting pulled into picturesque streets in Dolceacqua.More archways to keep structures in tact in Dolceacqua.We popped back out to the Saint Anthony Abbott Catholic church we started near at the Piazza Padre Giovanni Mauro, Dolceacqua.I found this amusing that a pigeon made a home on his head above the front doorway in Dolceacqua, Italy.A very ornate and impressive interior as only Catholics do in Dolceacqua, Italy.The colors fit the town too in Dolceacqua, Italy.Closer to the altar in Dolceacqua, Italy.Photos don’t show how massive this space is inside at Dolceacqua, Italy.A replica of Jesus Christ dying in Dolceacqua, Italy.The acoustics were also amazing in Dolceacqua, Italy as well as a visual feast for the eyes.After the church tour, we went back into the winding roads of Dolceacqua, Italy.I feel like you have to be there to fully appreciate the magnitude in Dolceacqua, Italy.A place for wine and olive oil is always a good idea in Dolceacqua, Italy.A row of umbrellas line the ceiling walkway in Dolceacqua, Italy.Imagine how strong you have to be to live in Dolceacqua, Italy.Faded sunlight creates amazing images in Dolceacqua, Italy.We stopped near a fun little boutique and couldn’t help but look around in Dolceacqua, Italy.Espresso artwork was very smart as well as chair purses too in Dolceacqua, Italy.Now kind of wishing I bought one of these magnets, it became out of hand for souvenirs so now I collect jewelry on travels in Dolceacqua, Italy.Such stunning lighting creeping through in Dolceacqua, Italy.When I mentioned climbing, I wasn’t kidding in Dolceacqua, Italy.More amazing places to explore in Dolceacqua, Italy but must stay with the group!Yes people still live on these steep slopes in Dolceacqua, Italy.Here is an apartment that was vacant to get an idea in Dolceacqua, Italy with more steps.Further and further we climbed in Dolceacqua, Italy.Looking down the way we came in Dolceacqua, Italy.Amazing artwork abounds all over Dolceacqua, Italy.We were approaching the top of the castle soon in Dolceacqua, Italy.Gated doors once used for protection in Dolceacqua, Italy.To the top we go in Dolceacqua, Italy!There was a water source running through here in Dolceacqua, Italy.A little map so you know where to go in Dolceacqua, Italy.And up another flight of stairs in Dolceacqua, Italy.The views from the top were well worth the reward in Dolceacqua, Italy.To the left, olive oil trees are burned for the next season in Dolceacqua, Italy.Absolutely stunning in Dolceacqua, Italy!A small slice of the castle in Dolceacqua, Italy, my Nikon couldn’t keep up!Views of the town of Dolceacqua, Italy.The steps we climbed to get here in Dolceacqua, Italy.Ruins made for lovely photos in Dolceacqua, Italy.The tippy top of the castle in Dolceacqua, Italy.Alexander our guide wrangling the cats we were in Dolceacqua, Italy before we go inside.The mote of the castle in Dolceacqua, Italy.Such a stunning archway in Dolceacqua, Italy.Views across the valley in Dolceacqua, Italy.The town looks much larger from up here in Dolceacqua, Italy.Inside the castle we went in Dolceacqua, Italy.Historical information of the region in Dolceacqua, Italy.The floor inside the castle in Dolceacqua, Italy. Notice the same symbol from below?A small replica of the castle in Dolceacqua, Italy.A room to sit and learn if you like in Dolceacqua, Italy.The back of the castle in Dolceacqua, Italy.Ruins remain in tact in Dolceacqua, Italy.Imagine having windows like these in Dolceacqua, Italy.Each direction an amazing piece of history in Dolceacqua, Italy.The photoshoot space of my princess dreams in Dolceacqua, Italy.A little humor as you put your heads in the cutout in Dolceacqua, Italy.Peeking through the back gate in Dolceacqua, Italy.You could climb up more if you like in Dolceacqua, Italy.Humans for scale, we are just small ants comparitively in Dolceacqua, Italy.Immediately loving this artwork in Dolceacqua, Italy.As well as this very intricate stained glass work in Dolceacqua, Italy.Nature can grow anywhere in Dolceacqua, Italy.
Wine Tasting in Dolceacqua
Enoteca RE is a wine shop, wholesale and retail, food and wine consulting, wine tasting space with professional training from passionate Italians. We were all surprised to be climbing inside the side of the winding roads on the way back down to have a “light lunch” with wine pairings. (Light lunch I later learned is just Italian for we are going to stuff you full). I was glad that my fellow media friends were as passionate about tasting every flavor as I was, it makes for a fun time! Exploring is not just physical, it is using all of the senses. This time including taste, touch and even sound with the music gently playing in the background as we delved our tongues into the tastes of the Dolceacqua and nearby region.
We made a left and started up the steps at Enoteca RE.Our tasting table at Enoteca RE which I was on the end closest to the stairs.It’s amazing how modern everything is around the stone at Enoteca RE.Walls of wine surrounded us at Enoteca RE.To start, olives and soaked olive oil bread at Enoteca RE. Yum!Starting with a crisp white, we delved into the glass at Enoteca RE.This was a refreshing addition to the long climb at Enoteca RE.This was a spinach and cheese focaccia at Enoteca RE. It was tasty!This wine amused me because of the label, it is shaped in the owners nose at Enoteca RE.My beloved “tomato pie” as we called it in Philly felt like home at Enoteca RE. This time with anchovies!My favorite of the three at Enoteca RE, the Dolceacqua Superior hit the spot.These were like potato pancakes except more flaky and “meaty” at Enoteca RE.We then were fed dessert which we were all giggling about toward the end at Enoteca RE. Delicious!Remember when I said Italians are feeders? Well this whole plate was for us to enjoy at Enoteca RE. We joked about ziplock bags here.A trio of gals including myself hightailed it after lunch to cross that bridge in Dolceacqua, Italy. The sun had given us a great shot!While crossing the bridge in Dolceacqua, Italy.And across the street in Dolceacqua, Italy.Keep going away from the bridge for the best views in Dolceacqua, Italy.A view in the other direction in Dolceacqua, Italy.Crossing another flat bridge for cars in Dolceacqua, Italy.When you drive in, this view is outstanding as well in Dolceacqua, Italy.The last photo I took in Dolceacqua, Italy. I would love to return and relax there on vacation!
