Liguria, otherwise known as the 'Italian Riviera', is located between the South of France and Tuscany and is known for its high quality olive production. Every November, during the annual olive harvest, a three day festival called Olioliva takes place in Liguria's olive growing region of Imperia, which celebrates the region's 'green gold'. This year the festival is from 14th-16th November; an ideal time to visit Liguria with pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds. Visitors will also be able to get to the heart of the olive oil production story with seven new 'olive and wine' walking routes.  

The Olioliva Festival takes place in the coastal town of Oneglia which is the centre of Liguria's olive production. Throughout the three days there are cooking demonstrations and stands from regional producers with oils, tapenades, olive beauty products, medicines and even items delicately crafted from the branches of the olive tree. The festival is an ideal opportunity to sample Liguria's olives which, over the centuries, have come to be a key ingredient in local dishes. Ligurian olives are namely the taggiasca olive, which have a firm bite and sweet fruity flavour.  

Visitors can stay in a rural Ligurian cottage on the stunning Saglietto olive estate, just outside of Oneglia. The estate makes award winning extra virgin olive oil and produces olives in brine and tapenade. Whilst staying on the estate, guests are treated to olive oil tastings and visits to the ancient mills. Weekend stays in a two person cottage cost from £158 in November. For further details: www.saglietto.it/en/index.html

To really get to the heart of the olive oil production, visitors can enjoy the seven brand new walking routes themed on olives and wine. These reach from the coastline into the mountains and run through the olive groves of the Imperia region. The routes are of varying length and difficulty and take in the medieval mountain villages, vineyards and incredible viewpoints. For further details: www.terrediriviera.it

Getting there
Flights from London Stansted to Genoa with Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) start from £80 return and flights from Gatwick to Genoa with British Airways (www.britishairways.com) start from £89 return.  

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For further information on “in Liguria” please visit www.turismoinliguria.it

For press enquiries contact Jules Ugo or Amelia Astley Birtwistle at Lotus UK on firstname@lotus-uk.co.uk / 020 7953 7561