San Damian

July arrives with its gentle, enveloping warmth, settling over the pines on the hillside and filling the days.

The cicadas start softly as soon as the sun rises, and their song grows stronger, filling the air until dusk. It is a sound that never leaves us, an ancient and familiar music.

All around, the figs are starting to ripen, their sweet scent blending with the warm air and the light breeze rising from the sea.

And childhood memories return: those long, quiet holidays, sometimes a little dull, spent in nature. Hours spent reading, playing bocce, waiting for evening to bring a little coolness.

Even today, holidays here follow that same slow, genuine rhythm: the sea view from the hillside, the song of the cicadas, the whisper of the breeze through the pines, the clink of bocce balls, the rhythm of ping pong, a good book beneath the trees or by the pool. And the patient wait for those figs that the July sun slowly turns sweeter and sweeter.

The soft kind that slips through olive branches, gently warms the hills, and rests on stone terraces like someone who knows how to wait.

Each apartment has its own rhythm, its own sense of intimacy.

Guests wake slowly, brew a Nespresso coffee, maybe cut a few pieces of fresh fruit—perhaps some ripe mulberries, figs, or fragrant oranges, left in a small basket the night before.

Then, they lay out breakfast on their marble table, surrounded by birdsong and the scent of rosemary.

The view is always there, never imposing: the sea shimmers in the distance, cypresses rise against the sky, and the olive trees—ancient, twisted, patient—watch over everything.

The morning unfolds gently.

Some take a swim in the pool, embraced by green. Others head out by bike to explore nearby villages, where stone churches, quiet fountains, and humble trattorias wait to be discovered.

Lunch is sometimes taken “at home”: a bit of warm focaccia, local cheeses, a bunch of fresh basil. You slice, you taste, you toast. Everything happens on your own terrace, dishes laid on the cool marble table, with a light breeze moving the colored linen curtains.

Afternoons are made for silence.

A book, a nap, a quiet walk among olive trees. The air smells of wild thyme, and time itself seems to stretch and soften. There are no sounds, except the cicadas—or your own breath.

Then, comes sunset.

The hills turn golden, the trees cast long gentle shadows, and the relais prepares for evening. Guests cook simply, sip a glass of cool Pigato, and dine beneath lanterns as the first stars appear in the quiet sky.

At San Damian, true luxury is this:

Your own space.

Your own rhythm.

And beauty, all around you—so natural, it feels like a dream.

Amid the silent olive groves of the Porto Maurizio hills, where time seems to slow down, Relais San Damian awakens in all its beauty with the arrival of late spring. It’s a time when nature becomes generous, colours grow more vivid, and each day is an invitation to surrender to peace and wonder.

In this corner of Liguria with a sea view, just minutes from the beaches of Imperia, the end of May and beginning of June are a true celebration of life’s renewal. Mulberry trees are heavy with sweet, dark fruits, perfect to savour during a walk or a quiet moment of rest. Wildflowers bloom among the dry-stone walls and trails, accompanied by the gentle hum of cicadas and the scent of olive trees.

This is also the perfect time to enjoy the new cycling path now completed in Imperia, offering breathtaking views as it winds between the blue of the sea and the rolling hills. It’s a unique way to discover the region slowly, immersed in nature, culture, and well-being.

Each day at San Damian is an experience in itself: the morning light filtering through the trees, the silence broken only by the wind and birdsong, the authentic taste of freshly picked fruits. Spring in Liguria is at its peak—and ready to be lived.

We are thrilled to share some exciting news! Relais San Damian in beautiful Liguria has been spotlighted in the esteemed German online magazine “Glücksmomente Charmingplaces.” Recognised as one of their top 5 gems on the Mediterranean for 2024, our charming retreat continues to enchant guests with its serene ambiance and unparalleled hospitality. Dive into the full article to see why Relais San Damian stands out among the best Mediterranean destinations.

Read the full article here

Welcome to Imperia, Italy, a charming coastal town nestled in the picturesque region of Liguria. At San Damian, we invite you to explore the enchanting streets and breathtaking views of Imperia through a curated three-day itinerary. Immerse yourself in the rich history and vibrant culture of this seaside gem as you wander through the historic districts of Oneglia and Porto Maurizio. Indulge in delectable local cuisine, discover hidden gems along the coastline, and unwind in the beauty of the Ligurian landscape.

Join us on a journey of discovery and relaxation as we unveil the wonders of Imperia, one unforgettable day at a time.

Read the full article and itinerary by visiting www.italia.it

In the heart of the San Damian olive grove, the winter sun kisses the silver leaves of the olive trees. It’s time for new oil. Drops of gold slide from the green fruits into the bottles, trapping the essence of the earth and our patient work. The oil, fresh and vibrant, tells the story of the hands that cultivated it and the sun that nourished the olive.

Each drop is an ode to nature, a hymn to tradition, ready to dance on the table, giving lovers of good food a taste of pure Mediterranean poetry.

You are all invited to taste it here with us, at the Relais San Damian with Pamela and Roberto

The Taggiasca olive harvest in San Damian, is a cherished cultural event steeped in tradition. Every autumn, typically from September to November, Roberto and his staff meticulously handpick these small, flavorful olives from ancient groves nestled in the picturesque Ligurian countryside.

The harvest process involves carefully shaking the branches or using small rakes to gently dislodge the ripe olives, ensuring minimal damage to the trees. These olives are renowned for their distinct nutty and fruity flavor profiles.

After harvesting, they undergo a meticulous curing process, often in brine or salt, which preserves their unique taste and texture, making them a prized ingredient in regional cuisine, especially in dishes like pesto and Ligurian olive oil.

The Taggiasca olive harvest not only yields exceptional olives but also fosters a sense of community, as generations come together to celebrate this timeless tradition in San Damian, Liguria.

In the 1990s, our Charmingplaces hosts Pamela and Roberto created a small vacation paradise with their country hotel San Damian on the Ligurian coast, where you can feel completely at home.

Born in Vienna, the daughter of an American mother and a German father, Pamela grew up among many cultures and ways of life, in a house that always hosted new guests from all over the world.

In conversation with our hostess, we try to find out how her special childhood shaped her and why, despite a rootless background, she was able to create a place that feels like home to us. And why, to appease a restless mind, you don’t have to travel at all yourself.

The world is changing, and it is changing fast.

It took a virus to stop us, to stop our society from racing, producing, consuming. We know that things will be different now, and we know that it is no longer up to us to decide: we can only accept the change. But we can still decide how we respond to change: are we ready to listen, and to learn from all this?

We are lucky to live in San Damian, and we are grateful for this. We keep working among the aloes, the willows, the buganvillea and the olive trees. Enjoying the warm and fertile season, we take care of the gardens, of the terraces and the paths. In the middle of the Spring, among the white blossoms of the almond trees and the star jasmines, we are getting ready to welcome you once again: we prune, plant, sow, and make it perfect, while floral scents rise from the lavender and the rosemary.

Once upon a time, there was a piece of wood. It was not an ordinary chunk of wood: it was a beautiful, veined piece of olive tree. But it had an odd shape, and a sad destiny was awaiting it. It had once been a taggiasca olive tree, tall and strong, but for some reason it had been cut and uprooted. Who knows why. And who knows how it ended up in the basement of an old house, among rubble and waste. The house was on a hill, sun-scorched and shaken by the wind, that had once been invaded by ants and then burnt down.

The piece of olive wood did not know that sun and that wind anymore. It lied in the dark, year after year, without ever seeing the beauty of the different seasons. It moaned and sighted: “Oh, if only I could go back and be with the other trees, feeling the rain on my leaves, warmed by the sun and caressed by the wind!”. It relished the memory of the warmth of the sun, of the freshness of the wind and the pleasure of the rain which had been nourishing and making it strong for so many centuries.