EXPERIENTIAL TOURISM: EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL DOP LIGURIAN COAST - TRIP CODE: DOPEXPERIE
On the occasion of "Olioliva 2018" (Imperia) was presented by Giorgio Lazzaretti and Umberto Curti the "Riviera Ligure DOP experience", a pilot project of experiential tourism that the Protection's Consortium of extra virgin olive oil DOP Riviera Ligure, based on the idea of Ligucibario ® and the marketing of Volver Tour Liguria, has built in Lucinasco (IM), Albenga (SV) and Lavagna (GE), to promote the olive oil production DOP (Riviera dei Fiori, Riviera del Ponente Savonese and Riviera di Levante).
The first 3 packages of tourist offer - but others will soon be added - are:
1) Life and country landscapes in Lucinasco
2) Archeogastronomy in Albenga (Albingaunum)
3) Olive growing - and valuable vegetables - in front of the sea in Lavagna
The packages are obviously available, edited by Luisa Puppo, also for English-speaking groups and clients.
Riviera Ligure DOP Experience is an authentic journey to discover the deep, true and sunny nature of Liguria. It's the discovery of olive growing, the real, hard one, in which one works on terraces and slopes.
There is the comfort of the sun, sometimes the sight of the sea, and it seems to touch the sky. We are involved emotionally in daily life, at the origins of an historical cultivation still carried out with manual tools and methods. A knowledge that now becomes heritage of travelers.
The proposed tourist package is an experience that brings travelers to be protagonists, reporters, directors, commentators, bloggers.
So it is not a passive path, but a real interaction between landlords and guests, who will thus be able to tell an unforgettable experience.
1) Life and country landscapes in Lucinasco
Upon arrival in Lucinasco is the owner, Cristina Armato, to welcome participants at her farm. She is one of the first local women-run olive farms. Sensitivity, grace and enthusiasm typical of a woman are the basis of the activity's management. The expert coordinates the activities of the participants, called to "tell", through photos and videos, the charming village of the first inland of Imperia, lying on a hilly spur overlooking the valley Impero: a location that strikes for its panoramic position and the olive groves that surround it. The experience comes alive with the museum path "Lazzaro Acquarone", between the passages, the views and the most significant heritages of the area, including the Church of La Maddalena and that of Santo Stefano.
We continue with the explanation and guided tasting of the three sub-areas of the DOP Riviera Ligure oil, with a focus on the chromatic and the taste aspects. This part is completed with an in-depth analysis of the characteristics of the different oils in the Ligurian recipe book, with advice on how to choose them and how to use them.
The visit continues in the vegetable garden with the selection of vegetables to give life to the recipe of "cundiun" (condiglione), a sort of summer salad, traditional specialty, to be enjoyed as an appetizer or side dish. An extraordinary blend of Ligurian flavors, even more magical when paired with a good home-made bread. Then comes the time of the oil festival, with thematic brunch, combined with Ligurian wines DOC, tasted with the advice of the expert. During the visit is proposed the adoption of an olive tree, with the possibility of being updated on the various phases of life of the plant, which takes the name of the adopter.
CLICK HERE TO DISCOVER THE DETAILS
2) Archeogastronomy in Albenga (Albingaunum)
The experience starts from the heart of Albenga, an important pre-Roman and Roman center in Liguria (Albingaunun), a town with a glorious past, which has remained almost intact over the centuries. Walking through the streets of Albenga is like walking through history. The expert takes the group in Piazza del Popolo, where is held in the morning from Monday to Saturday the fragrant and lively vegetable market, continuing the walk in the old town of Albenga, characterized by assets such as the Roman Naval Museum (located inside the ancient Palazzo Peloso Cepolla), the Baptistery, Oddo Palace, the Cathedral and the Civic Museum. Then we move on to listening to the stories of the owner family of the Azienda Agricola Sommariva, with a detailed explanation of the olive oil's mill characteristics and the historical museum, where ancient olive processing tools are located. It continues with a careful description of the plain of Albenga and the Mediterranean ingauno (the Ingauni were an ancient Ligurian population of navigators dedicated to trade and piracy). Finally, in-depth analysis of the DOP Riviera Ligure olive oil and guided tasting of the product, with Ligurian wines combination. There is still some free time for shopping of typical products.
CLICK HERE TO DISCOVER THE DETAILS
3) Olive growing - and valuable vegetables - in front of the sea in Lavagna
A unique opportunity to have a contact with the olive tree. You can find it at the olive grove La Favola della Mignola farm, in Lavagna.
Mignola indicates the advanced stage of the inflorescence of the olive tree, a name that evokes fairy-tale memories. The participants are in direct contact with the olive grove and immersed in the music of Mozart, which magically spreads throughout the environment. With the direction of an expert the group is accompanied by the stories of the owner, along a guided tour that provides in particular the visit of the olive grove. Here you come into contact with some trees that, for antiquities and characteristics, are symbols of the Ligurian olive growing. Below is an in-depth analysis of the Ligurian olive oil's characteristics as an historical, cultural and artistic literary resource. We continue with the explanation of the DOP Riviera Ligure, excellence of the region, and the activities that take place in the olive grove, with demonstration of the tools that are used. The final part of the tour includes a move to the Cooperativa Agricola Lavagnina, where there is a guided tasting of the oil and the fine Vermentino DOC wine. In this location it is possible to shop typical products (DOP Riviera Ligure oil, Vermentino DOC wine, honey, pesto and seasonal vegetables typical of the area).
CLICK HERE TO DISCOVER THE DETAILS
