Discovering the green heart of the Tigullio

A journey among slate, olive trees and dry-stone walls

Lavagna is my hometown: a charming seaside town at the heart of the Gulf of Tigullio. But behind the sea, on the hill overlooking the village, another landscape hides: slate, centuries-old olive trees and ancient dry-stone walls. This is where “Discovering the green heart of the Tigullio” was born, an innovative experience created by Prime Time Viaggi that blends culture, environment and experiential tourism.

Long ago, on this hill, the slate carriers walked barefoot back and forth, transporting the heavy black stone slabs from the quarries deep in the mountains down to the sea, along paths paved with the very same rock, through a landscape dotted with olive groves and held together by ancient dry-stone walls.

Storyliving™: not a spectator, but a protagonist

With the innovative storyliving™ format, visitors don't just watch: they become active protagonists of a mission to complete. Guided by an experiential tourism operator, they help produce documentary material about everything happening in these places, taking on the role of an actor for a few hours in close contact with the locals.

The Tigullio branch of Italia Nostra asked me and my environmentalist friends to gather this material, for an article dedicated to green culture and the sustainability of the area.

What we'll do together

• Meeting with Antonella and introduction to the mission
• At the Mozartian Olive Grove we meet Nino and Giobatta, farmers who introduce us to olive-growing techniques, dry-stone wall building and extra virgin olive oil tasting
• Meeting with Oenone, a landscape restorer, at her rural villa
• At the Monna Blanca wine shop we meet the owner, Paola, who will guide us through making Genoese pesto with a mortar and pestle
• Assessment of the collected material by the Italia Nostra representative, who hands out certificates
• A toast and celebration with lunch or an aperitivo made of local specialties

Practical information

The experience takes place in Lavagna (GE), meeting at Bar Chez Vous, Piazza Milano 14, and lasts from 3 to 6 hours, moving on foot and by minibus. It can be tailored in cost and duration for families, individuals and groups of up to 10 people, and can be adapted for larger groups. Minors must be accompanied by an adult; please mention any allergies or intolerances when booking.

The experience is built with the method designed by Progetto Artès, a structured approach to creating engaging, tailor-made proposals: an authentic immersion in the area, through nature, traditions, food and wine, rural landscapes and encounters with the locals.

Do you want to be part of the group that will showcase the sustainable qualities of the Tigullio? Get in touch to take part, or to organize the experience for your business: local administrations and companies can stand out from the competition by offering memorable, unique food and wine experiences.