Ligurian olive oil is considered to be amongst Italy’s best.
So, I can understand why Imperia’s Annual Olive Festival is such an important event. After a year’s hiatus (last November was like a ghost town on the streets of Oneglia, Imperia) this year’s festival was a very big deal. The locals were out in force and that did my heart good—as did the delicious results from the frantoio’s (olive presses) that have been hard at work from the recent harvest.

We joined in and tasted and tasted and tasted.
Call me crazy but I could sit and sip really good extra virgin olive like a cocktail. So, imagine my happy internal state stepping up to booth after booth to taste the oil from local producers. The olive oils made from the small taggiasca olives, specific to this area, are especially yummy. These olives were “brought here, selected and spread by the white Benedictine monks of San Colombano. (Source Wikipedia)
Imperia’s Annual Olive Festival isn’t just about olives.
No, there’s SO much more. The event is bursting with temptation in the form of artisanal cheeses and cured meats, pesto (another Ligurian specialty), wines, pastries, grappas, pastries, handmade soaps, and more. I’d be remiss if I didn’t include a special shoutout to the many delicious manifestations of focaccia, a regional specialty.
Join me for a quick video tour of this big celebration.
Yeah, it’s best for me to stop jabbering on and take you up close and personal with Jed’s happy first experience of Imperia’s Annual Olive Festival! Enjoy!
That festival icon my bucket list! Your new apartment is stunning and so inviting! Happy Holidays dear Jed! Love you!
What a lovely post and video! Viva Italia and La Dolce Vita all in one!! God willing, we are a little over a year from making Italy our permanent retirement community and commence on our journey of this land of beauty! Your post only got us more excited for a successful 2022 to make it all happen! Enjoy my friend and hope to be sharing an Olive cocktail sooner than later! Bill
I’m glad to help stoke your passions for coming to Italy!!!