Page 35 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italian Riviera

THE IT ALIAN RIVIER A THROUGH THE Y EAR  33

Average Daily Hours of Sunshine
Sunshine
Hours In both spring and summer
10 the long days of sunshine,
which are never excessively
8 hot, are perfect for swim-
6 ming and sailing. The light
and colours of autumn,
4 meanwhile, are delightful,
while a clear winter’s day
2 means that the white peaks
0 of the Alps are visible in
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec the distance.

June placed on the water, and Triora.
Infiorata (first week of Jun). Festa e Palio di San Pietro,
To celebrate Corpus Domini Genoa (29 Jun). A race with
(Corpus Christi), many towns traditional boats, as well
strew carpets of flowers along as illuminations.
processional routes; the best Palio marinaro del Tigullio
take place in Sassello, Imperia, (Jun/Jul). Regattas in resorts
Diano Marina and Pietra Ligure. along the Tigullio coast,
There is also a Battaglia di including Chiavari,
Fiori (battle of flowers) Rapallo and Lavagna.
in Ventimiglia.
Regata delle Antiche July
Repubbliche Raduno delle Fiat
Marinare, Genoa 500, Garlenda (early Jul).
(early Jun, every Participants arrive in The Muretto of Alassio, during a
four years). A their Fiat 500s from all beauty competition
regatta in which teams over Europe.
from the cities of the Cristo degli Abissi, San August
four ancient maritime Fruttuoso di Camogli Stella Maris, Camogli (first Sun).
republics (Genoa, Pisa, (end Jul). Nocturnal mass A festival of the sea, with a
Amalfi and Venice) and torchlit procession procession of boats to the
compete in old of divers to the massive Punta della Chiappa, with
sailing ships; statue of Christ on the thousands of little wax candles
there are processions, Girl in historical sea bed. bobbing on the waves.
too. Genoa is the host costume Sagra delle Rose and Torta dei Fieschi, Lavagna
every four years. In Sagra delle Pesche, (14 Aug). The re-enactment
2016, the regatta was Pogli d’Ortovero (end Jul). A of the lavish 13th-century
held in Amalfi. lovely celebration of the roses wedding between Opizzo Fieschi
Festa di San Giovanni, Genoa and peaches grown in this and Bianca de’ Bianchi, with a
(24 Jun). Celebrations in honour area near Albenga. This event historical procession and the
of St John. Also in Laigueglia, gives visitors the chance to try cutting of an enormous cake.
where 5,000 lit candles are local specialities. Castelli di Sabbia, Alassio
(mid-Aug). National competition
for the best sandcastle on
the beach.
Processione dell’Assunta, Nervi
(15 Aug). Evening procession,
with a blessing of the sea and a
firework display.
Festa della Madonna Bianca,
Portovenere (17 Aug). At 9pm
torchlights are lit during a
procession to the headland
of San Pietro.
Miss Muretto, Alassio (end Aug/
early Sep). The prettiest girl is
elected and given the title
dedicated to the town’s famous
Sailing teams of the four republics at the Regata delle Antiche Repubbliche Marinare “Muretto” (wall) of celebrities.

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