We stayed in this sweet apartment for about seven weeks while looking for a more permanent residence after relocating from the US.
I knew it was the right place long before we arrived. This is because Serena, the owner, is fabulous. My husband and I have years of experience with VRBO and Airbnb, and Serena is, by far, the most responsive owner with whom we've dealt. She answered a myriad of questions in excellent detail to help us make the decision to stay in Albenga, specifically, at her apartment. She provided a home that met all our needs and periodically checked in (electronically) to see if there was anything else we needed. She offered suggestions of places to eat, drink, and explore, and even gave us a welcome gift that matched our tastes perfectly; telling me that she really pays attention to her clientele.
We were delighted at the location of Serena's apartment. It was on the most beautiful tree-lined street in Albenga located to every convenience we needed including an organic market, only a few doors down, that offered delicious produce directly from a farmer every Tuesday and Thursday. We were also only a few minutes by walking to a conventional grocery store that also had some organic options, recycled paper products, and biodegradable laundry detergent, along with most other products we needed. Still, we enjoyed visiting the nearby Wednesday market as well as the farm stands at the Piazza throughout the week. Much to our surprise, we were able to experience the Chocolate Festival in March, the Vintage Market (3rd Sunday of every month on Viale Martiri della Libertà) and Festival of Flowers (Fior d’albenga April 20-May12).
The best tourist-related surprises were, however, the proximity to the Centro Storico, Piazza del Popolo, and the Via Julia Augusta. The Via Julia August provided great hiking fodder for us and the dog. Breathtaking views of the Mediterranean and Alassio harbor swooned us into an eternal love for the Ligurian coastline.
We were sad to leave Serena's comfortable apartment, the countless dog-lovers that enthusiastically greeted our pooch on our daily walks, and people-watching from the balcony, yet new adventures await. Grazie mille!