When I visited Bordighera last summer, the lush neighborhoods, Anglo legacy, and settled affluence reminded me less of places I know along the Italian Riviera and more of the Hamptons, New York’s perennial summer playground–at least the East End towns I remember before they became the high-wattage resorts they are today.

Granted there are plenty of differences—the beautiful, 19th-century homes in Bordighera come with fin-de-siècle rather than New England shingle style detail; you’ll find more bougainvillea than privet hedges lining the gardens; the stunning seafront has pebbly sand, although calmer and warmer seas; there’s fior di latte gelato instead of peach ice cream to order on a hot summer day.