XII INTRODUCTION. 



begun from the western end. Nervi itself, where the mean 

 winter temperature is but Httle below that of the most 

 sheltered resorts of the Riviera di Ponente, and where ever- 

 greens abound, does not lose its cliarms in mid-winter. But 

 resorts on the Riviera di Levante situated south-east of Monte 

 di Portofino do not show the full splendour of their vege- 

 tation until the deciduous trees have burst into leaf. Foreign 

 plants are not yet as widel}' distributed on this part of the 

 coast as in Nervi and on the Riviera di Ponente; and this 

 is partly accounted for by the fact that the protection from 

 the north decreases gradually from Portofino to Spezia. 

 Delicate plants therefore suffer more and more as one nears 

 the latter place. 



For peiiple with weak chests who seek a milder climate 

 in the South, only the most sheltered resorts on the Riviera 

 need be considered. The following places on the Ri^'iera di 

 Ponente are the most completely sheltered from the north: 

 — San Remo, Ospedaletti, Mentone, and to a certain extent 

 Alassio also, Nice with Cimiez, Cannes and Hveres: on the 

 Riviera di Levante only Ncr\'i at the western end. At San 

 Rcmo, Ospedaletti and Nervi the sheltering movmtains ap- 

 proach very near to the coast. For this reason the number 

 of walks is limited. This is especially the case at Nervi, 

 which, however, has as a compensation a remarkably line 

 marine parade, free from dust, where the invalid can enjoy 

 exceptional ])rotection from almost everv wind. Since longer 

 walks are out of the question for him he will not feel the 

 want of them. But it is otherwise with strong people, \\ho 

 would feel rather shut in here. They would be much better 

 off at Mentone, where, though the hills stand further back, 

 the coast is well sheltered hv tlie mountains which rise to 

 a considerable height. Their rugged summits tempt the 

 pedestrian further afield, while invalids mav stroll about in 

 the valleys which radiate fanwise from the coast. The 

 Western Riviera is drier than the Eastern, and can boast of 



