The tiny town of Bonassola, wedged between mountains and sea
on
Italy's Ligurian coast, is hardly a secret: Shipping and
commercial fishing gave way to tourism here long ago. And when
Hemingway happened upon Bonassola, he called it "so sweet,
unforgettable, inexhaustible." As other Italian resort towns have
grown prohibitively expensive - or packed wall-to-ancient-wall with
tourists - a town such as this, which feels much the same as it did
30 or 40 years ago, becomes especially enticing. While many
American travelers know the five famous towns of the Cinque Terre,
Bonassola, just a few miles farther north, offers a much mellower
vacation alternative. - Julie Mautner
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The most distinguished hotel in Bonassola is the
Hotel Villa Belvedere ($63 to $131;
011-39-0187-813-622,
www.bonassolahotelvillabelvedere.com); its hillside
location is a mere five-minute hike from town.
La
Francesca ($88 to $250; 011-39-0187-813-911,
www.villaggilafrancesca.it) offers private bungalows,
a pool, tennis courts, and great views. And both
Albergo Delle Rose ($48 to $104; 011-39-0187-813-713,
www.hoteldellerosebonassola.it) and
Hotel Lungomare ($76 to $110;
011-39-0187-813-632,
lungomar@tin.it) sit
just steps away from the beach, while
Hotel
Pensione Moderna ($78 to $106; 011-39-0187-813-662,
www.pensionemoderna.it) prides itself
on the traditional Ligurian recipes of Eleonora Di Zoppi, 84,
the niece of the original owner.
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