Quick dash to Italy.

Just about 20 mins west of Monaco is the little town of Ventimiglia ~ first village in Italy. Another quick explore casing the town so we'd have our bearings when we go back tomorrow for market day.... namely FRESH PASTA, cheeses, sauces, veggies etc. Unfortunately, it's a dirty little place but it's rich in history just like all the little towns. Archaeological Ventimiglia (east side of the modern town) dates back to Roman times. We'll check out the Medieval part of town and the Roman theatre (with the first level of steps still intact) tomorrow. Fingers crossed for a non-rainy day.

Our fun find while in Ventimiglia was Bar Gelateria tucked away on a back street. Illo welcomed us, insisted we sit down and enjoy Italy's best hot chocolate (no, make that the world's best hot chocolate... he said), a bowl of his own homemade gelato (he picked our three flavours, and power-packed, creamless coffee for me. It was one swallow ~ half a demitasse cup! Illo is a hoot; we loved him. He subjected us to several youtube clips of him making his gelato. He considers himself a gelato artist due to all the flavour combinations he makes up.