Ventimiglia- Italian Riveria

We've been to Ventimiglia and it was fine, but if I were you I'd go farther south before stopping: Camogli is a neat town (easily accessible by train), or someplace in the Cinque Terre. It depends how much time you have to spend.

I went to Ventimiglia to visit the Botanical Gardens. The gardens were fine, but getting there was not. The T.I. had moved, and in any case was closed for a siesta. The bus stop was unmarked, and I was just lucky to see the bus there and ask where it went! If I were going back I'd plan to visit Genoa.

We will be coming from Nice, so thats why Ventimiglia came up. After we're heading to Milan/Florence. @ Janet- When you went to some of the towns father, did you take the train? We're looking for a easy stop between Nice and Milan.

@ Kathy, Anything else worth seeing? Ive seen that there are some Roman ruins, and the beach.

I didn't have time for the Roman ruins, and I don't think they sounded very exciting (bear in mind I had recently been to Greece, Sicily, and Herculaneum/Pompeii). I think I had a quick look at the beach and wasn't impressed, but I'm not a beach person. I was staying in Nice, and stopped in Menton for lunch on the way.

Wasn't too impressed with Ventimiglia; it was not unpleasant but I wouldn't stay there long. The beach was rocky- big smooth stones; you needed shoes to enjoy it. The Med is cold water, even in July. Had a better than average pizza at a casual beach bar, bought a good copy purse from a store. Not to discourage you, but Antibes/Juan Les Pins had better beaches, more to do. More people, too.

We were in Nice, took the train to Genoa for a couple of nights and then took the train to Camogli for two nights. We continued on to the Cinque Terre and Lucca by train. Camogli is close enough to Genoa that you could easily go there before you head to Milan. If you're looking for sandy beach, however, this is not the place - it's big pebbles. We stayed at Albergo La Camogliese, which is right at the bottom of the steps down from the train station. We also took a boat trip from Camogli to Portofino for the day.

Awesome- thanks!!

Is it worth going to Genova and going out to small towns from there instead of staying in Ventimiglia?

We had a car, so it was much easier to explore (tho i know that may provoke some barbs).
I'd prefer staying in Genoa as it is much larger and has more interesting things to do, more places to dine, etc. It's sort of like the difference in staying in (exaggerating here) Burnet as opposed to Marble Falls. Genoa was a wealthier city in the past, probably still is. YMMV, I thought Vent. was an OK day trip, no more.

Thanks Melissa... appreciate the atx analogy :) i think we're going to skip ventimiglia and go elsewhere.