Italian Riviera eco village accommodation

The XIII century medieval village  is located in the Ventimglia hinterland, a few km. away from the sea and the French border. Built at the foothills of the Maritime Alps, on the slope of Monte Grammondo, the hamlet is surrounded by beautiful olive and citrus trees, mimosa and Mediterranean flora.

Since 1989, a non-profit NGO Association, has gradually bought the village, and started the process of rehabilitation. The Association aims at transforming the abandoned village into and ecovillage with a permanent cultural centre, a guesthouse, and a resident community. Today, the resident community has 20 members between adults and children.

It runs the eco-guesthouse, organises courses and cultural programmes, and develops farming projects (with olive trees and a few vegetable gardens) based on permaculture and organic agriculture principles. 13 private units out of the 20 planned and a large part of the guest house have been completed. Since 1992 the Village has organised 25 International Volunteers Workcamps with the environmental national organisation “Legambiente”.

The guesthouse offers double and multiple rooms (up to 4 beds per room), with and without private bathroom; a restaurant with special evening meals (Mediterranean and ethnic cuisine, meat, fish, vegetarian dishes) based on organic and locally-grown produce; ample terraces for sun-bathing and relaxing. Laundry facilities, a small library and an internet point are also at the guests’ disposal. Our village opens its simple and cosy guesthouse to travellers and groups interested in ecology, sustainability, and community living. All meals are served at a buffet in large rooms or on the terraces, furnished with shared tables. (for groups of 4 people minimum):

• Trekking week-ends on the Balcone Trail and others, with packed lunches on request
• Courses on: Pottery on the wheel, Yoga, Shiatsu Massage
• Cuisine workshops (bread baking, home-made pasta, Mediterranean and ethnic cuisine) and natural soap making classes
• Hikes in the valley and study of the landscape according to permaculture principles

In the area one can easily visit:

• The Hanbury Gardens and the Paleontologic Museum at Balzi Rossi
• The medieval villages of Dolceacqua, Apricale, Bajardo, Perinaldo, Pigna, Triora, and famous botanical gardens
• The Vallèe del Marveilles in France with its mountain lakes and rock-graffito
• The ski slopes in Limone Piemonte (1 h. by train)
• The Cote d’Azur with the cities of Menton, Monaco, Nice, Cannes
• The Sunshine Walk along Menton’s coast up to Cap Martin

• Double and multiple rooms with and without private bathroom
• Large dining rooms (can serve up to 70)
• Terraces for sun bathing and relaxing
• Internet point
• Small library
• Laundry facilities
• Pottery workshop

Family friendly
We are definitely family friendly.

We have a small playroom for children, and the river banks are close by for summer swims. If requested, we can organise a baby sitting service for a minimum of 3 children.

Baby friendly
Babies are welcome, we can give the family with the baby a quiet room with private bathroom if requested. No private kitchen facilities are available, but agreements can be made with the staff for special baby needs.

Vegetarian cooking:
Wholesome vegetarian food is available at the self service buffet, and vegetarian meals can be prepared on demand. Fresh salads and fruit, garden vegetables, a variety of pasta and rice dishes, cow and goat cheese, whole grain bread and local olive oil are the delight of our guests who appreciate the homey and Mediterranean style of our cuisine."By plane: The nearest airports are Nice Côte d’Azur (at 50 kms.) and Genoa Leonardo da Vinci (150 kms). Continue on by train to the Ventimiglia train station, then continue on by taxi (available at the stations entrance) or with the bus number 6 of the local bus company Riviera Trasporti (the stop is on the main Ventimiglia road, about 50 meters away from the train station) From the bus stop in Torri to the guesthouse it is an easy 400 metre walk (partially uphill).
By car: Exit highway A10 at the Ventimiglia toll station, follow towards of “Colle di Tenda – Cuneo”, after the tunnel drive straight to the village of Bevera, and follow the road signs to Torri (about 6 km).