Lovers of local culinary traditions have two appointments for the first two weekends of November.

The annual Tuscia chestnut festival in the province of Viterbo in upper Lazio falls on the first two weekends in November (1-2 and 8-9), in the mediaeval town of Vallerano (67 km from Rome). There are traditional sweet and savoury delicacies, including roast chestnuts, as well as visits to neighbouring chestnut groves. Long-forgotten street games will be revived for children. For further information about events and tastings, visit http://www.tusciaviterbese.it/feste/. Tuscia accounts for 30 per cent of the chestnut production in Lazio and 8 per cent of Italian production.

Umbria, on the other hand, is opening its oil mills for the 11th "Frantoi Aperti" from 1-2 November. Spoleto and Trevi will be amongst the many towns hosting the major festivities, with olive oil tasting, slow food exhibitions, live music, theatre and art, donkey treks through olive groves and visits to traditional oil presses. The groves will also provide the setting for a treasure hunt for children in Isola Polvese, near Perugia, on Sunday 2 November, starting at 11.00 and 14.00. The full itinerary of events can be seen at http://www.frantoiaperti.net.