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Spring Events
A last minute trip to the classic cycle event Milan-Sanremo on 19th March is highly recommended. The 290 km distance makes it the longest one-day race of the professional cadre and together with four other classic events, it is nicknamed as one of the “pillars of cycle sport”. The route runs from Milan via Genova to Sanremo with the final stretch taking up parts of the Via Aurelia, right on the seaside. Thanks to the pleasant climate and the masses of flowers to be seen along the racetrack, the race is also called ‘La Primavera’, or ‘ride into spring’. The prestigious nature of this event attracts the world elite of the cycling sport.
From the 7th to the 10th April the 26th Sanremo Rally Storico, a vintage car race, will attract large numbers of historic cars of different classes. If you are a fan of vintage cars, this is an event not to be missed. Car owners can register until 24th March.
Flower enthusiasts will be glad to know that Ligurian’s capital Sanremo will be named Europe’s Capital of Flowers 2011. From the 21st April to 1st May, the Euroflora fair will be held in Sanremo. This is the most popular horticultural fair in Europe, exhibiting new flower varieties, scents, garden furniture, garden tools, decorative water displays and other wonders of nature on more than 15 hectare of exhibition space. This is a major festival for every plant lover.
Easter is of course another major celebration in Liguria. Throughout the holy week there are a number of different processions. Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter days are marked with a number of religious festivals throughout the region and attract large numbers of believers and tourists alike – a feast for all who enjoy religious choirs and festivities.
The Riviera di Ponente is not far from the Cote d’Azur, gripped by the International Film Festival in Cannes from 11th – 22nd May, which is still one of the most important film festivals in the world. Ever year since 1955 the best film is honoured with the Palm d’Or and this year, no other than the American film star Robert de Niro, will head the Jury. There is hardly a better chance in Europe to major Hollywood stars in close up than the International Film Festival in Cannes.
