This weekend join the fishermen at Cervia (Emilia Romagna) for the annual ritual ceremony of the Marriage of the Sea. Like all weddings, this is a happy occasion with food, drink and live music. Good, old-fashioned entertainment is assured on Sunday evening (13 May) when competitors will attempt to climb up the traditional greasy pole, suspended over the water. Cervia's symbolic union with the sea dates back to 1445 and is one of the oldest festivals of its kind in Italy. This, in fact, is the 574 edition.

Gastronomic specialities revolve around fish dishes, prepared by the fishermen and their families and served both at stands under the Tower of San Michele and in the restaurants in the historic centre. Round off the meal with a special treat, recreated according to traditional recipes by the Cervia Institute of Hoteliers: the Dolce delle Zitelle (Spinsters' Dessert), made with local products like blackberries and pine nuts. Pane della Sensia, the local traditional bread, decorated with a cross, is also available from the seaside resort bakeries.

The Cervia event is part of a far-ranging Festival of the Sea project, aimed at encouraging visitors to the little seaside villages on the Adriatic coast, in which the public can participate in guided tours, tastings, cookery exhibitions and local festivals.

Info: www.turismo.comunecervia.it