The Italian Riviera has always been a land known for D.O.P. Oil “Riviera” of the Riviera dei Fiori and Taggiasca, a special variety of olive which yields a high-quality extra virgin olive oil. The small size edible olives are also very tasty preserved in brine or chopped for making ‘pates’. Over the centuries Taggiasca’s grafts were grown throughout Italy, although the largest cultivation has alwa
Lovers of good food have now many reasons to schedule a cycling holiday in the area including the tasting of local products. The village of Taggia is easily accessible from the bike path, but also is very easy to find chosen olive products at special shops in which you can taste and try the precious ligurian olive oil.
For those who want visit the region and learn more about the Olive Oil, we suggest to go there during the production process, which generally takes place in the period from November to March. The trail leads to 21 locations of oil production in the Province of Imperia:
Apricale, Aurigo, Badalucco, Bayard, Borgomaro, Ceriana, Chiusanico, Chiusavecchia, Diano Arentino, Diano San Pietro, Dolceacqua, Dolcedo, Isolabona, Lucinasco, Molini di Triora, Montalto Ligure, Perinaldo, Prelà, Taggia, Vasia, Villa Faraldi.
In the alleyways which connect the villages you will find the signs to the “Route”, and the various branches to the mills and manufacturers, often going through the suggestive olive groves of Liguria.
► If you are in the region, visit definitely the Fratelli Carlo CARLI Olive Museum in Imperia, one of the best Olive Museums in the Mediterranean, with rare exhibits and testimonies about the olive tree and olive oil production.
► Remember that every year in mid-November in Imperia, is held the great Festival of olive tree and olive oil “Olioliva”. More than 150 exhibitors of traditional products, events, workshops, culinary workshops, tastings, art exhibitions, etc. are only some of the events happening in the city on this occasion. A good idea is to rent a bike at Parco Urbano in Imperia, combining a visit to the exhibition with a nice walk along the coastal road and the most interesting parts of the city.