Nadia Mai was born in a small village in Piemonte, but grew up in Bordighera where her parents opened a bar and named it after her: 'Nadia'. School days were challenging and she failed to pass her exams in French and English. But when she took private lessons, her teacher discovered that she did actually have a talent for languages. Nadia's skill for languages determined her future professional life and she was employed as an export manager to a leading Italian jewellery company which enabled her to travel and enjoy meeting different people and encounter many cultures.

Nadia is now back in Bordighera to be with her 95 year old mother.

"I'm so glad to be here as I now have the opportunity of meeting many new friends, and some of them are English or English speaking." says Nadia. Nadia goes on to say "Life wasn't always easy, but I believe I am being rewarded for every difficulty I had to face in the past."

We asked Nadia our 5 famous questions and this is how she replied:

1) What makes you smile?

Babies, nature and good-natured people.

2) What or who inspires you?

Nature, justice, cleverness and commonsense.

3) Do you believe in gut instincts?

I certainly do and wish I had been able to trust them more often.

4) Your three essential things if you were stuck on a desert island would be what?

Food, books and my friends' addresses.

5) If you are planning a day/night out, what do you enjoy doing the most?

A walk in the evening with a good friend, in New York or London. Possibly find a Milonga and spend a couple of hours dancing tango with a good Tanghéro.

Bar Nadia is situated on the corner of Via Vittorio Emanuele II, 149, in Bordighera, just down from the train station. It is a great traditional place to enjoy good coffee, tea and patisseries.