Alassio: not only seaside! Images from Liguria, Italy

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A short trek inland from Alassio days.
Text and Photos by Anna

When we speak of Alassio we immediately think of the beaches crowded with sunbathers, vacationers who stroll along the sea or those who allow themselves a little 'healthy shopping in the shops that crowd the guts of this town.
Yep .. we did not do nothing, or almost nothing better than this!

It is said that the first inhabitants of Alassio Liguria were the members of the tribe Ingauni. From the tourism point of view we should think his discovery to the British in the nineteenth century when it became a large British colony and built several buildings in the English style, present even today.

The bus that takes us leaves us Aurelia near the junction to Solva. We are not just a few, so a little 'of chaos on the way we did, but in no time at all we are ready with our backpack and boots on ready to begin the walk.
We reach the church along a narrow road of Solva very impressive, passing through the houses and lemon trees that make us so much envy.
From Solva (last point where you can find water) once we take the path that leads us to the Mount Bignone. The trail first winds through the houses and then give way to vegetation: pine and olive trees. Picturesque landscapes to our eyes open, with views of olive trees of particular beauty. The view over the town of Alassio is made attractive by the presence of fog. Well .. while it prevents us, for now, the view over the city and the sea on the other the sea of ??fog is largely suggestive and poetic.

Sometimes the path is straight and sometimes goes on a sloping plain in an environment increasingly rare vegetation. The sun begins to bite, and heat is not a trivial matter.

We reach the hill at the foot of Mount Bignone (m 521), where we stop for re-uniting the group (we are 64!) And have a snack. From the hill, the view stretches from one side of Alassio and Albenga other.
From the hill, on an easy path, continue to the summit of Mount Bignone from which the view is even more beautiful, and then back up the hill and head towards the mountain Vegliasco.
The path that leads us to the mountain Vegliasco continues on a slight slope and then climb gently through a wooded area and fresh. With the heat in this part of the forest was all enjoyable.
Mount Vegliasco (m 598), littered with repeaters, poetry does not have much to offer, but the view of the Gulf of Alassio and Laigueglia is very beautiful. Meanwhile, the fog thinned, and we are seeing the sails of the boats swaying gently toward the sea.

After lunch we start our way back. First we take a dirt road which dominates views of the Gulf of Alassio and Laigueglia to continue on a steep path that will lead us directly into the center of Alassio. Along the trail is a must stop to take pictures and admire the beautiful landscape around us that this is giving.

Waiting for the bus to pick us up, we allow ourselves to be a ride in Alassio, who is dedicated to shopping, those who enjoy, as myself, a mega slush or those who took advantage of the heat and sun on the beach and just pop also a nice bathroom! Our clothing is not really suitable to the place, boots, backpack and the sticks do not pass unnoticed, but we are happy and satisfied and we care if some little lady looks at us as if we were descended from a spaceship.

It was a great trip, a little trip gave me so much. The hour and a half we had to queue, send back on the highway between Alassio Savona, not in the least affected or ruined the memory I have of this beautiful day and always very polite, people with whom I shared.

The beautiful legend of Adelasia seems to be the origin of the name of the town of Alassio. It is said that Adelasia, daughter of Otto I of Saxony (Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire from 936 to 972) was in love, paid, a bearer of the court. Of course, this love was not tolerated by his father. So, as happens in the best love stories, the two lovers fled together from Germany and do not know how established their residence at the foot of Mount seamen. Like the best stories, and even if they were married, they lived happily ever after, however, lived in poverty. Until the day when his father was reconciled with his daughter, on the occasion of his coming to the region to fight the Saracens. At this point invested Otto, the son Aleramo, a series of titles. Finally short lived, really, happy.
And now we arrive at the origin of the name: when Adelasia and Aleramo had settled, a city that was built in honor of the princess, was called Alaxia, which later became Alassio.
And this is a beautiful legend that is the origin of the name of Alassio.

To finish this excursion was organized by the snowshoes of Pinerolo and once again the organizers have done a good job of giving all participants a wonderful day in the countryside to discover the other face of Alassio.