From an initiative by the Mountain Community 'Val Petronio', the beauties of the valley's villages are valorised on the basis of the traditions passed on by generations of farmers and merchants. An ideal itinerary starts from Sestri Levante, where between July and August the Sardine Fair takes place ('Sardenna pou feugo'), which reaches its 14th edition this year. The sardine is fresh and is rigorously cooked in a wooden or charcoal oven and served hot, all free.

The fishing, with the "lampare" (fishing boats equipped with a large lamp light to attract fish at night) and great encircling nets, can also be followed close up asking the fishermen, wherever possible, to take part in a sea outing. From Sestri in a few minutes by car you can reach Verici, where the last weekend of May the Festa del vino is held, at its 46th edition this year. In that occasion a free train and bus service starts from Casarza.

The village is known for its cultivation of the 'Bianchetta' grape and for the local winemakers' great ability, who are masters at producing good quality wine to accompany the local dishes. Trenette (flat long spaghetti) al pesto, testaroli, frittelle di baccalà, ripieni di verdure (cod and vegetables fritters) are served free. All of this is then livened up with Genoese folklore music.

From Verici you can then climb up to Libiola and Montedomenico, splendid little towns in the greenness a few kilometres away from the sea. In the former, for 30 years the Fritter Fair has been organised on the 10th and 11th of August. The journey in Val Petronio continues along to Tassani and Bargone.

The former is a village built centuries ago to give lodging to Libiola's miners. Terracing and medieval age houses, with stables and cellars with lowered curves, give an ancient atmosphere. Every year two fairs are held: that of the Snails, the first weekend in July, and that of the Frogs the weekend after the fifteenth of August (Ferragosto).

In Bargone for three days, from the 12th to the 14th of July, there is the Strawberry fair, which valorises the traditional local product. The village is renown for its natural attractions such as the 'Bargone lake' and the many footpaths marked in the guidebooks.

Velva, finally, around the second Sunday in august, offers a series of gastronomic days with guided excursions and conferences on various historical and cultural topics. The scenery is unique: the town's historical centre, with the carrugi (alleys), the cobbled paving, the little squares and the perfectly maintained colonnades.

July.2002