Diano Marina is located in the heart of the Golfo Dianese, a wide and charming bay where the sea meets palm trees and maritime pines, and where nature gently rises inland through olive groves, Mediterranean scrub and panoramic hills overlooking the blue.
The town takes its name from the Goddess Diana, to whom the ancient sacred wood, the Lucus Bormani, was dedicated and once covered the entire area. To learn more about the history of the gulf and Liguria, guests may visit the Civic Museum housed in Palazzo del Parco, or simply ask Nicola, one of the owners of the Hotel Caravelle Thalasso & Wellness, a passionate connoisseur of local history and traditions.
Each village of the gulf has its own identity and can be easily explored on foot, by bicycle or by public transport starting from the hotel.
DIANO MARINA
Quiet and welcoming, Diano Marina offers a lively yet never chaotic pedestrian centre, with shops, cafés and restaurants open in the evenings and on public holidays during the summer season.
On the occasion of the Corpus Domini celebration, the streets of the centre host the famous flower carpet festival, a deeply rooted local tradition and a striking visual spectacle.
A curious detail: by stepping briefly into the entrance of the Town Hall, visitors can admire the impressive dolia, ancient containers used for transporting goods by sea, discovered in a Roman shipwreck off the coast of Diano Marina.
From Diano Marina it is also possible to reach nearby Imperia on foot or by bicycle, following the scenic cycle and pedestrian path at the base of Capo Berta.
SAN BARTOLOMEO AL MARE
San Bartolomeo al Mare is directly connected to the hotel area by a pleasant pedestrian seafront promenade. Lined with benches and maritime pines and far from traffic, it is ideal for relaxing walks by the sea.
Continuing along the promenade, in just over one kilometre, you reach the medieval village of Cervo. During the summer, the seafront hosts cultural events, concerts and open-air performances.
CERVO
Listed among The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy, Cervo is a fascinating medieval village perched above the sea, to be explored entirely on foot. Narrow lanes, panoramic squares and small artists' workshops accompany visitors towards the upper part of the village.
The Clavesana Castle hosts the tourist information centre and the local museum complex. The difference in height between the coastal area and the historic centre, about 50 metres, is easily overcome via a network of comfortable stairways.
The evocative Piazza dei Corallini, facing the Baroque Church of San Giovanni Battista, hosts the International Chamber Music Festival every summer, with evening concerts under the stars.
DIANO CASTELLO
In medieval times, Diano Castello was the most important settlement of the Golfo Dianese. Today it is a small treasure chest of history, art and architecture, ideal for a slow and curious visit.
The Giroborgo association regularly organises guided tours along a route that tells the story of the village through stonework, arches, towers and historic buildings.
The hotel reception will be happy to provide information about upcoming tours and assist with bookings.
Inland villages
The Golfo Dianese also extends inland along the valleys of the San Pietro and Steria streams, crossing lesser-known villages rich in charm and tradition.
Among them, Diano Borello preserves in its parish church the polyptych of Saint Michael by master Antonio Brea, considered one of the most important works in the entire region.
For organising excursions, walks or guided visits in the hinterland, guests are always welcome to contact the hotel reception.
