⫸ Modern design loft in historic center ༄ Sea 300m

This new upscale Scandinavian design loft is a perfect "Couple's Getaway" with Velux skylights, high-end materials and all amenities tailor-made by craftsmanship. Situated in a charming medieval building in the vibrant heart of the historic center, you are right among excellent restaurants and a 3 min. walk from one of Italy's best beaches (blue flag certified). All top 10 attractions (Trip Advisor) within 1-15 min. walk. Free parking nearby, always with spots available. Train station: 1,7 km. ☑ Unlimited wifi is available for guests free of charge. ⚠ Situated on the top floor of a medieval Ligurian house means that it comes with numerous steep and narrow steps to climb and therefor unsuited for persons with limited mobility. PLEASE SEE PHOTO of the staircase before you make your reservation (last picture of the apartment, before the photos of the area begins). ⚠ The apartment is strictly limited for a maximum of 2 guests. --- This is a one of a kind; a uniquely converted small medieval loft (30 square meters) adapted beautifully for urban modern living. A blend of Scandinavian simplicity, modernity and minimalism make the space inviting. As NATURE is a key element to the Scandi architecture, natural light is allowed to fall deep into the loft through Velux skylights as well as a French balcony door. Oak and two types of Norwegian natural stone are the main materials throughout the whole loft. The trend of compact living is pared with durable natural materials of minimum carbon footprint and craftsmanship. Kinetic elements like automated shading, extendable double bed, fold-out kitchen table and precise detailing let these square meters create room for everyday life as well as holiday life. ⫷ GENERAL ⫸ The design focuses on one solid wooden volume of oak placed in the middle. By incorporating program like washer-dryer, boiler, hallway cabinet, general storage and walk-in-closet inside, and a double bed on top, the surrounding space can be freely used for living, dining and cooking. ⫷ BATHROOM ⫸ On entering the apartment, you’re immediately greeted by the bathroom where dark colored Norwegian natural stone create an almost cave like effect. Although dark in color, the bathroom has sliding glass doors, allowing light from the Velux skylight in the hall to flood into the bathroom, helping to add a sense of openness to the space. The shower is spacious (70x120cm) and has a fixed waterfall shower and a separat handhold shower. Built-in toilet with soft close function. The cabinet and shelves are tailor-made in oak with a Scandinavian design flavored by Italian design aesthetics. Incorporated in the wooden box, with only the front showing, you’ll find a washer-dryer (a combined washing machine and condenser clothes dryer in one single appliance). ⫷ HALL ⫸ The end of the wooden box creates the hall with the possibility to store the outdoor shoes and clothes. The mirror opens up to a handy cupboard - a perfect place to keep the beach gear like hats, sunglasses ecc. ⫷ LIVING AREA ⫸ The feeling of enclosure dissipates as you reach the end of the narrow hallway where the studio loft opens up into a light and open living area. Light floods through 2 Velux skylight windows, electrically operated and equipped with automatic rain sensors, electrical blinding curtains (indoors) and electrical heat protective screen outdoors (which still lets light into the room and preserve the view). Flexibility regarding seating is provided with two Tatami mats, two futon mattresses, and four cushions. They are highly adaptable to your changing needs; Stack it up and share it as a sofa or spread it out to make a corner sofa or have them fronting each other. They are also excellent for sleeping. A coffee table (with storage) is released from the wooden box with a push/pull. One wall is coped with oak panels for aesthetic reason and for improved acoustics. ⫷ KITCHEN ⫸ The kitchen is simple and compact. It is tailor-made in oak. Wall cupboards with extra height make up for the lack of length and allow the kitchen to still be functional, providing enough storage space as well as counter space for meal preparation. The kitchen is fully equipped with brand new and modern electric appliances; refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, induction cooking top and a ventilator. The quartz counter top compliment the various shades of light greys in the natural stone flooring, while Grohe Essence Professional tap with turnable dual-spray spring arm with magnetic docking provide a contemporary edge. Inside a niche there is a foldable table with a built-in cupboard for the stuff that comes in handy while eating, like oil, herbs, napkins, magazines. When folded up it becomes a framed photo. The French balcony door opens up all the way- allowing you to keep it open without losing any space. NB: there is no balcony to step out on - only an iron railing for security. But you can enjoy your coffee cup while fully opened and get the air, the smell and the sounds! Living in the heart of Bordighera Alta usually means that you are either on the beach or strolling in the neighborhood streets, relaxing on a piazza or a bar - inhaling the good vibes and atmosphere. Or you are on a daytrip in the roundabouts :) ⫷ DOUBLE BED / WALK-IN-CLOSET ⫸ Raised on top of the wooden box is the double bed, entered by a ladder. Railings secure the mezzanine and the front part of a storage room over the bathroom serves as a bed side table. The bed is extendable. During daytime it has a length of 1,40m and extends to full length (2m) from the short end. The extension is floating - meaning no legs follow the extension. The double mattress is foldable on one end. During daytime this part of the mattress can be folded up against the wall and make a comfy daybed. PS: the mezzanine is professionally constructed by engineers at Vivaldi Metalmeccanica and has a security quality control certification. The space underneath the bed is hiding the boiler, the body of the washer-dryer and the hall cupboard. The rest of the space is a walk-in-closet with shelves, drawers, hangers ecc. ⫷ EXTRA STORAGE ⫸ Directly outside the main door there is a possibility to store larger objects like the suitcases ecc. You can easily walk to everything from the apartment; the beaches, supermarket, bakery, bars and restaurants are within a few minutes reach by foot. All top ten attractions in Bordighera are also reachable by foot. Since Bordighera Alta (historic center) is a car free village, you need to park outside the center. It is a big free of charge parking within a couple of minutes walk. The train station is 1,7 km from the apartment and has a very good connection in direction France and Genova. F.ex: you reach Sanremo in 7 minutes with a 2,5 euro ticket with departures every hour. I have an on-place contact that will be available for the guest for any questions or problem solving. I am also available 24/7 electronically so don't hesitate to contact me for any questions. I speak Italian and are happy to be the link between you and my on-site contact (or anybody else) if you are experiencing a language challenge. It is all about location - and it hardly gets better than this! Being situated in the very heart of Bordighera Alta (the historic center) means that you are actually living right inside the nr 1 of the top 10 attraction in Bordighera! And furthermore; you can reach all the other 9 within a 2-15 minutes’ walk! You also reach the beach that holds the highest quality certification, the blue flag (Capo Sant’Ampelio) with a 3 minutes’ walk through a beautiful lush park. Bordighera Alta represents the first settlement that gave rise to the city. It dates back to year 1470 and is a fortified village within which a dense network of alleys and squares. As common in the past times in Liguria, the first town (todays historic center) was erected in the upper part to stay better protected from Pirates attacks (this explains the name – Alta means “high”). The houses here are heaped over a rise that form a labyrinth of alleys up and down, under the shadow of the ancient fortress erected in defense of the Saracens. These very narrow alleys are called "carrugi" and they turn around the equally narrow buildings creating nice shadows and shapes. Obviously, the historic center is all pedestrians as cars simply do not fit into these streets. One of many good things! The historic center is perfectly preserved and maintained and is full of characteristic restaurants and bars ideal for an Italian aperitif. The atmosphere here is unique and instantly relaxing. Being totally free from cars gives excellent conditions for outdoor servings and the center is packed with outdoor tables of the numerous excellent restaurants and bars. Charming squares, a beautiful church and a very active bell tower (☺) are also elements that make this the most idyllic place to unwind. Last, but not least; it has the friendliest locals you can dream of. It is, unlike many other villages, actually inhabited with locals, meaning that this is a living village all year around. Amongst the many great restaurants locally in the historic center, notably is La Cicala (40 m), Osteria Magiargè (100m, Michelin listed), Novantiqua cocktail bar and restaurant (41m), La Gritta Bordigotta (110m) Piccolo Bistrot Gourmet (120m) and A Scibretta (130m). Oh, and I have to add the newly opened Spigo Gourmet (140m). A quite simple place, but the food..!! They have the most delicious truffle pasta I have ever eaten – made with the recipe of the chef’s grandmother. Bordighera (new part) is a traditional town with a lively edge. A little fun fact; known as the City of Palms, scenic seaside Bordighera is the proud supplier of fronds to the Vatican every Palm Sunday. Just a few km from the borders of both Monaco and France, floral Bordighera has been a favorite destination for British visitors since the 19th century (like Queen Victoria herself) as well many international artists, writers, poets and painters. The town has many lovely gardens, museums as well as stunning beaches and seafront promenade. Downtown you find the atmospheric street "Corso Italia"- the best street for shopping and for a stop in a bar or an ice cream parlor, or simply on the benches between flowers beds to watch life goes by. The other 9 top attractions in Bordighera (indicated with distance from the studio loft): ⓶ Lungomare Argentina (300 m) ⓷ Giardino Esotico Pallanca (1,7km) ⓸ Chiesa di Sant' Ampelio (300m) ⓹ Villa Garnier (400m) ⓺ The Beodo Trail (70m) ⓻ Museo Bicknell (500m) ⓼ Villa Regina Margherita, museum (500m) ⓽ Fondazione Pompeo Mariani, museum (600m) ⓾ Cinema Olimpia (800m) ☀ You cannot miss the sunset! National Geographic has included the Bordighera sunset among 10 most beautiful sunsets in the world. The sun drops below the horizon right at the foot of the French Riviera and the spectacle, from the Argentine promenade of Bordighera, leaves you breathless. ⚘ Nature is one of those elements that makes Bordighera unique. The most amazing examples of the luxuriant nature of this location are the hidden monumental plants. The most incredible plants are the Ficus Macrophylla which are located near the Bicknell museum, right outside the historic center and behind the Town Hall: all the specimens arrive safely at 20 meters in height and have a diameter in the stem greater than 1 meter. ___ ⌘ INFO OF TOP ATTRACTIONS: ⓵ BORDIGHERA ALTA - historic center (see over) ⓶ THE ARGENTINA PROMENADE has always been the pride of the city of Bordighera because, historically, it was the longest pedestrian sea walk on the Riviera. It is called so because it was inaugurated by Evita Peròn, wife of the Argentine president, in 1947. Since then, many things have changed and the continuation to the west of the promenade is a beautiful cycle and pedestrian walk that, through the neighboring municipalities, leads up to Ventimiglia and up to Dolceacqua. ⓷ THE EXOTIC PALLANCA GARDEN is a must if you are a nature lover. This garden of over 10,000 meters is specialized in succulent and succulent plants: the largest collection in Europe is built here, in fact it is one of the largest in the world. For an unforgettable experience it is advisable to visit it in the morning to enjoy the beautiful sun rising in the east. This garden on the slopes of Monte Nero has a beautiful sea view and is extremely Insta-friendly ☺. ⓸ THE CHURCH OF SANT'AMPELIO is the symbol of Bordighera and stands right in the southernmost point of all Liguria and northern Italy. This place, together with the cliff just below, is a place dear to all the inhabitants of Bordighera. Under this church there is a hidden crypt where the patron saint of the city lived: it is often possible to visit it. ⓹ VILLA GARNIER: Charles Garnier designed two villas with a very similar imprint in Bordighera. The first was Villa Etelinda (which can be visited with special appointments) and the second, Villa Garnier, which dates back to 1871. The villa, which overlooks the tourist port of Bordighera, can be easily reached from the historic center: today it is a holiday home managed by the nuns. This majestic building is spread over three floors and is surrounded by a wonderful garden designed by Ludwig Winter. But what distinguishes this villa is the White Tower that stands out in the sky, which the architect called “Mon mirador”. ⓺ THE BEODO TRAIL is worth the sweat if you are into walking/trekking. It start right outside the apartment! Beodo is an ancient path that goes from the heart of the historic center and into the Sasso valley. This walk that traces the ancient aqueduct is immersed in the green of the palms, mimosas and rich Mediterranean vegetation. The scenery is simply stunning. The more adventurous can go to the hamlet of Sasso, at the top of the valley. ⓻ THE BICKNELL MUSEUM is a curious stop that allows you to immerse yourself in the world of Clarence Bicknell, an English mathematician, botanist and archaeologist who lived in Bordighera at the end of the 19th century. Here, among other things, he studied the ancient cave paintings of Monte Bego. From the beautiful Via Romana you go down to the museum admiring the lush vegetation. Here you can be amazed by a giant specimen of ficus and a beautiful wisteria plant on the facade of the museum. Inside the museum you can admire the activity of the English botanist including a beautiful collection of butterflies. ⓼ VILLA REGINA MARGHERITA - a modern museum located on the elegant Via Romana. The Villa houses more than 1200 works of art. These include gilded panels from the 14th and 15th centuries, Italian and foreign still life from the period between 1500 and 1800, important paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries representing various Italian schools, prestigious furnishings, decorative arts and a unique collection of fine porcelains. The famous Minghetti porcelain set deserves special mention for its imposing and spectacular 381 pieces of sublime quality. Enjoy a break at the in-house café, with the incredible panoramic terrace! ⓽ FONDAZIONE POMPEO MARIANI. An artistic hidden gem which deserves to be known all over the world. Here you can visit one of the few intact remaining artist workshops (an uniquely untouched artist studio) plus several thousand artifacts as well as some lovely views that inspired Monet. The villa has fine examples of XIX and XX century art. The celebrated Matisse painted from the grounds and the owner will show you the exact location. Note that you must book in advance. ⓾ THE CINEMA OLIMPIA building was born in the era of the elegant Art Nouveau style. Since then, the building has undergone a complete renovation preserving the architectural features of the time, both external such as the facade with streetlamps from the early twentieth century and internal, as in the hall, the ceiling with rosettes for the lights, the wrought iron balconies, the frescoes by the painter Giuseppe Balbo that decorate the walls of the stalls and the atrium of the gallery and the original stuccoes. The cinema has 250 seats divided between the stalls and the gallery. It is a point of reference for the programming of auteur and quality films in the province of Imperia. Several days of the week are dedicated ti arthouse cinema programming while the weekends are reserved for "normal cinema" programming. During the summer, the arthouse programming is abandoned in order to re-propose the greatest hits of the season both for residents and especially for tourists. ___ DESTINATIONS SURROUNDING BORDIGHERA (MAX 60 MINUTES DRIVE): You reach the French riviera in 25 minutes and Monaco in 35 minutes. Local (Italian) closeby highlights include the prehistoric caves at Balzi Rossi, Dolceaqua, Apricale, Perinaldo to the west, and numerous lovely villages along the seaside towards east like Triora, San Lorenzo a Mare, Laigueglia, Fianlborgo ecc. And of course, Sanremo! The list is endless, and this is also one of the big advantages with the location of Bordighera: it is an excellent base for a great number of interesting day trips both to the east and west, and also north in the hinterland to all the fascinating mountain villages close by and up to Piemonte. With the sea in front and the Ligurian alps in the back you can enjoy all types of activities. The area is especially good for canyoning, caving, whale watching, snorkeling, bicycling (along the Pista Ciclabile - a 24km long route towards east along the former railway tracks right along the seaside and along the before mentioned tracks towards Ventimiglia and Dolceaqua) and last but not least; mountainbike /endure bicycling. Finale Ligure 80 km towards east is well known worldwide as a bicycling mekka, but I will let you in on a little "secret": the area in the hinterland of Bordighera/Sanremo (Molini di Triora, San Romolo ecc) is actually even better! Let me know if you are interested and I will provide more information! ⚠ ⚠⚠ Being a loft in a typical medieval Ligurian building means many steep steps to enter the studio. It is therefore not suitable for children or anyone with mobility or balance issues as the staircase may present a significant risk. PLEASE SEE PHOTO of the staircase before you make your reservation (last picture of the apartment, before the photos of the area begins).