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<p>In planning this Hidden Liguria Adventure, I made a key decision: we would stay in locally-owned hotels, dine on local cuisine, and engage with the residents. This principle guided our selection of hotels and nearly every meal we enjoyed.</p>
<p>As we switched accommodations, we transitioned from the beach to the picturesque hills of Liguria. Our lodging was in a quaint town featuring an <strong><em>Albergo Diffuso</em></strong>, which is a unique hotel concept spread throughout the town. The family running it decided to preserve their ancestral homes by converting them into hotel rooms. Each home hosted between two to four rooms, while the 'main house' featured a pool, outdoor space, six rooms, and areas for food and drinks. The essence of staying here was to immerse ourselves in local life, enjoy regional dishes, and connect with the community.</p>
<p>Upon our arrival, we checked in and then participated in the town's first outdoor food festival of the season, known as a <strong><em>Sagra</em></strong>. Each attendee purchased tickets for the meal of their choice, enjoyed local beverages, and indulged in music and dancing. I wish I had captured more photographs from this vibrant experience.</p>
<p>The following morning, we were treated to an extensive breakfast spread, offering a variety of options including gluten-free and vegan choices—all sourced from local produce. Their organic juices, teas, and coffee were exceptional.</p>
<p>After breakfast, Gianni and our bus arrived to take us deeper into the hills to meet my friend, Cristina Armato, and her family in a tiny village with just 80 residents.</p>
<p>Once we arrived, we had some free time to explore the town, visiting its cemetery, an old church, and the surrounding hills before joining the Armato family.</p>
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<p>Here’s our group with the Armato ladies—notice their lovely reddish hair.</p>
<p>We spent a significant amount of time observing both traditional and modern techniques of olive oil production. Both Cristina and her husband have received various accolades for their olive oil. Cristina recently secured second place in multiple competitions, and I found it incredibly light and flavorful.</p>
<p>The story behind their olive oil is remarkable: for six generations, their family cultivated olives to sell to others for oil production. Cristina chose to shift this tradition, opting to create her own olive oil brand. Since then, she has consistently ranked among the top two in taste competitions. Her mother runs a bed and breakfast on-site, while her father helps tend to the olive trees and produces olive oil and other olive-based products.</p>
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<p>Due to their high elevation, essentially in the Italian Alps, their olives take longer to mature, often only being ready by the end of the year. Caring for these olive groves is a task that requires special dedication, as the terraces need reinforcement to deter wild boar.</p>
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<p>You can order her olive oil and other products online, but visiting them in person truly enhances the experience.</p>
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<p>Isn't he adorable?</p>
<p>If you do reach out to them, I would appreciate it if you mentioned my name.</p>
<p>You would also miss the opportunity for a guided tour of the town.</p>
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<img alt="A picture containing building, door, home door, door handleDescription automatically generated" src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/56d5c25f70538c676e4144cf/6491b4f2820fab30529611e8_g2bwJfQUhZuRTO5Jr7FsUXCUEzUYceva0uMSYtT3zO-cHgyLRr6rkjyYMfP_4xgD5UZTM34T3jVX4a73v-rU4PQLD41mIDD0iBg20z0ZO0Iw2sF8E8DM1p54_i0VmygDGLY-5x981Au0wb7rAgO3Mg.jpeg" loading="lazy"/>
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<p>This door photo was captured by Patricia Lewis.</p>
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<p>Patricia also took this door knocker photo. She humorously suggested we sing, “If you like it, then you should have put a ring on it.” What a lively group we were!</p>
<p>We visited two churches, a historical heritage museum, and a home museum that aimed to depict life from centuries ago. By this point, our appetites had grown quite significant.</p>
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<img alt="A group of people sitting at a table with wine glassesDescription automatically generated" src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/56d5c25f70538c676e4144cf/6491b4f2982ee53304ed01c1_eaflFgHwUSjsSuSZ6V7TaainFcR9M5OULyx6VICrGX-jwAZJusG9NVoDsJv_cTYhIW_Ws-kwfandJQNiLAKI0KQzNM5w4Pt2GR4M0_olrreo6q8eZWGKSjCn7iXGMjIypSSHIs6R4pse-FIA6UU5TA.jpeg" loading="lazy"/>
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<p>We were served an impressive five-course meal, all homemade and utterly delicious.</p>
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<p>I have a fondness for these two; they insisted on a photo together with their family.</p>
<p>We also enjoyed wine from Tenuta Maffone, marking our second visit of the day.</p>
<p>After exchanging warm hugs and kisses goodbye, we boarded the bus with Gianni and traveled to another nearby hillside town.</p>
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<p>The Armato family and Tenuta Maffone are both part of <strong>trecentosessanta Liguria—360 Liguria</strong>, a consortium of local small businesses that collaborate in marketing and supporting one another. Most members focus on organic practices and prioritize local products. Cristina was a co-founder of this initiative.</p>
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<p>Upon arrival at <strong>Tenuta Maffone</strong>, we were taken to explore their vineyards situated in the hills. Although Bruno and Eliana were unavailable, their assistants generously shared their time and knowledge with us.</p>
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<img alt="A vineyard with mountains in the backgroundDescription automatically generated with low confidence" src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/56d5c25f70538c676e4144cf/6491b4f2820fab305296123d_bsQ82Z3Jmo4DkYk2JR4W7JT3nHDe1rxgCt18b7nkCDuCKsT-YfZDJ5umtiYCCIEuVvgWM3z-KmnToMz3iPi7zpjUvb_jyYHDN0KMHk7aKvNoF8gjluhDiGFKKIEqsvAg-7g_sDq7pID1l_ZWJmIaGg.jpeg" loading="lazy"/>
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<p>The vineyards were stunning, located in an organic field at the highest elevation. Here, they grow Orinasco grapes, a variety that thrives in mountainous regions, resulting in a distinct flavor profile.</p>
<p>We sat down at a table where we learned about their unique wines and the numerous awards they have won, as the walls were adorned with accolades.</p>
<p>Despite feeling full from our earlier meal, we tasted six wines and two types of grappa!</p>
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<p>Here are two of their featured wines.</p>
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<p>More delightful wine!</p>
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<p>Their unique grappa, made from Orinasco grapes, has also won awards. Post our four wine tastings, we sampled two variations of this grappa.</p>
<p>In all honesty, we enjoyed meeting everyone, felt quite full, and had plenty of adult beverages. Thanks to our hosts, we were provided with hearty food to help absorb some of the alcohol. A fellow guest packed several bottles of wine to take back to the USA, and I purchased a few for myself as well.</p>
<p>On the bus ride back, it became clear that dinner was unnecessary, prompting us to cancel our evening reservations. We all parted ways after reaching our hotel around 6:30 PM.</p>
<p>I genuinely appreciated connecting with such down-to-earth and authentic individuals. Everyone else felt the same way, enjoying their company thoroughly.</p>
<p>Stay tuned as I continue to explore the hidden gems of Liguria that many in America never get to experience.</p>
<p><strong><em>A dopo.</em></strong></p>
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