Autumn in Liguria is an explosion of colours, aromas and flavours. From the autumn leaves that light up the woods to festivals celebrating seasonal products, a visit to the region at this time of year is a pleasure for the eyes and the tastebuds, while the mild weather invites us to take walks and easy hikes, perhaps to explore the inland villages, less crowded now than in summer.

Behind Sanremo lies the Park of the Ligurian Alps, offering routes among chestnut and beech woods to delightful villages like Pigna, a genuine scenic balcony, or Triora, the “witches’ village”, where we can sample traditional local bread with bruzzo, an ancient cheese from the summer pastures, and take part in one of Italy’s scariest Halloween celebrations.

There are plenty of warm autumn colours in Valle Argentina, leading to the village of Badalucco, the perfect place for a delicious stop and a mushroom-based meal at Ca’ Mea (just 15 minutes’ drive from The Mall Sanremo).

Not far away in Val Nervia, we come to Apricale, with its ancient stone-paved streets, and Perinaldo, where a traditional chestnut roast is held every October.

Straddling the provinces of Savona and Genoa is Beigua Park, a UNESCO Geopark covering almost 9,000 hectares. From Varazze, approximately an hour’s drive from The Mall Sanremo, it’s not far to Deiva Forest and trails with spectacular views. If you happen to be visiting in late September or early October, don’t forget to stop at the Millesimo Truffle Festival on the way back.

On the subject of authentic flavours, in autumn there’s no shortage of new olive oil: in Imperia, the capital of the green gold, the big event is Olioliva, a festival that brings some 200 producers of one of Liguria’s best-loved specialities to the squares, porticoes and port of Oneglia.