Colours, flavours, aromas, and emotions: Liguria being a munificent land, Diano Marina lavishly sets out its many gifts. Travellers are cajoled by the intriguing taste of local recipes, based on sea and earth produce. They enjoy historical and cultural atmospheres, the sources of the present (holidays, trades, cultivations), or investigate local traditions taking part to the polychrome and lively infiorata of the Corpus Domini (June), a feast of hues and scents.
Diano developed in Roman times as “lucus Burmani”, an ancient – ferocious – pagan god. The evangelisation of the area fostered agriculture, cultivations (olive trees above all) still covering the hill flanks. The museo archeologico in the Palazzo del Parco (former Villa Ardissone) celebrates the place’s remote history. Feudalism, Genoese, Napoleonic and Savoy dominations followed up to the tragic 1887 earthquake that destroyed the settlement.
The centre found the strength for a new season of growth thanks to the industriousness of its dwellers, as well as to agriculture, fishing and commerce – not to forget the ongoing boom of tourism. Stabilimenti balneari, excellent accommodation facilities, the marina, gourmet markets, green areas and the lungomare all contribute to the high ranking of Diano in the top Ligurian destinations list. A position reinforced by the uniqueness of the June Corpus Domini celebrations, covering the streets of the centre with a scenting carpet of multicoloured petals, its pattern magic and astounding.
A beauty for all seasons and times of the day, from noon light to night darkness, dotted by swarms of fireflies (a calendar of events devoted to lucciole takes place in Diano Arentino and Diano Borrello).
The party is on, at it is time for some serious gourmet experiences: ubiquitous basil pesto, a hundred fish recipes, the delicate flavour of extravirgin oil, the aroma of Vermentino (and who knows if some farmers still cherishes a bottle of claret…). Have a good stay in Diano Marina, and a pleasant meal after a dive – or a trek!