What led to the planning of a new leisure port in Ventimiglia?
Cala del Forte was created with the intention of replicating the convenience and hospitality of the Ports of Monaco, of which it is a part. The ‘sister marina’ was inaugurated on 2 July 2021 and is steeped in the charm of the Flower Riviera in western Liguria, just 7.9 miles from Monaco. From land, sea and sky, the port’s distinctive feature is its circular shape. There are 178 berths, ranging from 6.5 to 70 metres in length, with mooring assistance guaranteed 24/7 every day of the week.

Tell us about the hospitality on land.
Cala del Forte offers five-star hospitality in line with its surroundings, with 15,000 square metres of walks and gardens as well as an amphitheatre, the privileged venue for our summer concerts. We have 29 businesses operating all year round, including four gourmet restaurants, an ice-cream parlour, a shipyard, brokers and nautical service agencies, two charging stations for electric vehicles and two more for boats.

The most exclusive services for boat owners?
Our 24-hour service; Monaco One, the 11-seater motor catamaran that links Cala del Forte with the Ports of Monaco by sea in just 15 minutes; the Technogym on the central quay, and the lift that connects the port to upper Ventimiglia in just 40 seconds.

The favourite destinations of the people who use your port?
Dolceacqua, Apricale and the Hanbury Gardens for scenery, Limone Piemonte for skiing, the delightful beaches of Balzi Rossi, Calandre and Baia Benjamin in summer, Monaco and The Mall Sanremo for shopping.

What’s the nature of your collaboration with The Mall Sanremo?
We share a strategic vision based on offering our customers an exclusive experience. Our target customers are very similar, so for us it’s natural to guide our visitors to a high-profile destination offering excellent hospitality and shopping like The Mall Sanremo. This is also why we’re often a partner for their events.