There are not too many strawberry festivals in Italy. From our top ten below we couldn't really include any others. If you know of one we have missed, then drop a comment below.
So, in no special order, here are the Italian strawberry festivals worth a visit.
1. Maletto, Catania, Sicily
'The best strawberries in Italy' can be found in Maletto on the edge of Mount Etna at 1000 meters above sea level.
The highlight of the annual June event are the huge strawberry tarts paraded then shared amongst the crowd.
2. Terricciola, Pisa, Tuscany
Celebrating and keeping alive the ancient rural traditions of strawberries and wine of Terricciola.
3. Manciano, Grosseto, Tuscany
Held in May in the small locality of Marsiliana near Manciano, province of Grosseto.
4. Scorzè, Venice, Veneto
Asparagus and strawberries combine in Veneto in this Spring food festival in mid May.
5. Santo Stefano, Ravenna, Emilia Romagna
Strawberries feature, but this is a mid June gastronomic celebration for the whole town.
6. San Biagio della Valle, Perugia, Umbria
Perhaps the longest strawberry fair in Italy; almost 2 weeks from May into the first days of June.
Look out for the Cherry Event in nearby San Valentino della Collina in mid May.
www.stradadeivinidelcantico.it
7. Cassibile, Siracusa, Sicily
4 days and 4000 pieces of strawberry pie between Avola and Siracusa in Sicily. As far south as it is possible to be in Italy, just about.
8. Policoro, Matera, Basilicata
Two days in mid May dedicated to the locally cultivated strawberries along the Lucanian coast, or Metapontino.
Interestingly, the strain of strawberry cultivated is called the Candonga and was introduced only in 2003 after experimentation in Spain.
Policoro is known locally as 'Strawberry City' and is an important element of the local economy.
9. Locality Acconia, Catanzaro, Calabria
This event is orientated towards the actual use of strawberries in such delights as ice cream, granite, jams, frappé, dolci and macedonia trifle.
10. Nemi, Roman Hills, Rome
How can you forget Nemi, the most famous strawberry festival in Italy!
