So what can be said about the food from this large port town on the Riviera dei Fiori?

For starters there is the piacialandrea, a pizza invented in Imperia in honor of Andrea Doria.

It was apparently first produced by his grandmother and the original recipe contained courgettes, onions, peppers, aubergines, tomatoes and 'fiori di zucca' or stems of the courgette.

Modern variations may be made with the addition of potatoes, eggs, basil and grated parmigiano reggiano cheese.

Also worth trying is the rabbit 'alla paesana' cooked in an earthenware pot. Then there is the 'curunete', a crown of potatoes threaded with a string.

As for wine look out for the Ormeasco and a lighter version called Sciacchetrà also made from the vines around Pornassio.

Finally, try the delicate white 'Pigato' which has a slightly bitter almond taste made from the Ranzo and Pieve di Teco vines.