Page 36 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italian Riviera

34  INTRODUCING THE IT ALIAN RIVIER A

Average Monthly Rainfall
MM Inches Rainfall
150 6 Liguria’s weather is
characterized by a fair
120
4.5 amount of rainfall,
especially during the
90
3 autumn, when violent
60 storms may occur and
sometimes rivers may
1.5
30 flood. The Riviera di
Ponente is generally
0 0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec drier and sunnier than
the Riviera di Levante.
honour of the grape (uva),
including a costumed
procession, a challenge in
dialect and a series of contests
between grape harvesters.
Sagra della Lumaca,
Molini di Triora (last week).
Enormous frying pans full of
snails (lumache) are cooked
following an ancient recipe
once used by the village’s noble
families, who would present
them as the pièce de résistance
at sumptuous banquets,
because of their supposed
magical powers.
Yachts at their moorings in Imperia
October
Sagra del Pigato, Salea di Salone Internazionale
Autumn Albenga (early Sep). A festival della Nautica, Genoa (first
Autumn, with its warm colours in honour of Pigato wine, with and second week). This is the
and still, balmy and sunny days, exhibitions, food pavilions, largest nautical fair to be held
is the ideal season for visiting dancing and sporting events. anywhere in the Mediterranean,
Liguria. Towns and villages are Festa della Madonna della with yachts, motorboats, inflat-
less crowded, and it is easier Villa, Ceriana (early Sep). ables and associated nautical
to find accommodation; in Solemn candle-lit processions paraphernalia.
essence, it is easier to get to and a music festival of folk Sagra della Farinata, Voltri (late
know the area’s sights, towns, music in the village square, Oct). Tastings of local, mostly
culture and gastronomy, with choirs singing Genoese, gastronomic specialities,
in greater peace. traditional songs. including Liguria’s famous baked
Commemorazione della chickpea snack (farinata).
September Battaglia Napoleonica,
Regata Storica dei Rioni, Loano. Exhibitions,
Noli (first or second Sun). ceremonies and parades
The four districts of the in historical costume
town challenge each are staged in order to
other to a rowing race. commemorate the
There are processions in Bottle of Pigato Battle of Loano, in 1795,
historical costume, too. white wine in which the French
Sagra del Fuoco, Recco revolutionary army
(7–8 Sep). Festival in succeeded in driving out
honour of the patron saint, the Austrian army.
Nostra Signora del Suffragio. Sagra dell’Uva, Varazze.
Anchovy Festival, Monterosso A traditional festival with
Al Mare (second week). People tastings and the sale of local
travel from all over Italy to wines. A similar festival is held
celebrate the village’s speciality. at Vezzano Ligure (see below).
There are tastings, music Sagra dell’Uva, Vezzano A motor launch on display at Genoa’s
and fireworks. Ligure (mid-Sep). A festival in nautical fair

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