Autumn

History and gastronomy in Chianti San Casciano in Val di Pesa, a town in Chianti between Florence and Siena, is a real gem of central Italy. This traditional medieval centre is renowned for producing typical wines, extra virgin olive oil and other agricultural products. But good food and elite products are not the only sources of pride for this small town: after a wine tasting or a delicious lunch, there are many sights to admire. The town lies in a hilly area inhabited since Etruscan and then Roman times. Walking around the centre, you are sure to be fascinated by the numerous monuments, parish churches, villas, castles and city walls that, despite the devastation suffered during World War II, still show their extraordinary beauty. The major sights are the Collegiate Church of San Cassiano, the Church of the Misericordia and the Church of Santa Maria del Gesù. Nearby, in the L’Albergaccio suburb of San Casciano, you will find the residence of Niccolò Machiavelli. Other places of interest in the vicinity include Castello di Bibbione with the nearby Bowman’s Grave dating from Etruscan times, Castello di Gabbiano, Castello di Pergolato and Castello di Montefiridolfi.

A seaside village in Monte Argentario The small village of Porto Ercole, part of the Costa d’Argento, is located at the southern end of Tuscany, in the Maremma Grossetana. To access the heart of the characteristic harbour, amid nets resting on goiters and the smell of the sea, you need to pass through the Porta Pisana. From here, a series of alleyways, surrounded by walls, branch off, encompassing the town before converging at the Rocca Spagnola fortress. The perfect place to enjoy views of the harbour is Piazza Santa Barbara, where you can find the Palazzo del Governatore with its Renaissance façade. At the top of the village stands the oldest church in Porto Ercole, built in the 18th century, partly destroyed in WWII and then rebuilt. It houses the tombstones of the Spanish governors of the former State of the Presidi. The old defensive bastions, Forte Filippo, Forte Stella and Rocca Spagnola, also date to the time of Spanish rule. The Porto Ercole cemetery features the tomb of Caravaggio, who died there. Finally, you can easily access the picturesque beaches by land, but if you are looking for the most unique coves, we recommend hiring a dinghy.

Among the ceramic towns of Sicily, Caltagirone is the most renowned: the origins of the local artistic activity may date back even to the classical era, and certainly to the Arab period. Creative majolica and ceramic decorations adorn many sites in the 'magnificent city', a title given it by Emperor Charles V in 1528, and are its main attraction. Even today, about a hundred Caltagirone potters still exhibit tableware, wall plates, and vases of all shapes and sizes, including the original bucche with owl-shaped lids, in the shops in the centre. The MACC, Caltagirone Museum of Contemporary Art, housed in the former Women's Hospital, is dedicated to the local ceramics. A historical presentation of the island's production is offered by the Regional Ceramics Museum, which can be reached by passing through the 18th century 'little theatre', an example of the use of ceramic decoration in architecture. A grandiose wall panel, with tiles depicting the scene of Castel di Judica's victory over the Arabs, catches the attention of visitors to the Sturzo Gallery, a mid-20th-century town meeting place. The historical centre retains medieval traces, despite the Baroque reconstruction after the devastating 1693 earthquake that earned the city UNESCO World Heritage status. The most celebrated attraction here is still the 17th-century staircase, which ascends up 142 steps to the church of Santa Maria del Monte with great perspective impact. It is covered with majolica tiles produced in 1954 by the Institute of Ceramic Art of Caltagirone, with motifs based on traditional historical models.

A mining paradise for slow tourism on the Island of Elba In an inlet on the eastern side of the Island of Elba, Rio Marina is a small fishing and mining village dating back to Etruscan times. For centuries this area played a key role in the economy of the island and the whole of Italy, and for some time now, especially during summer, it has become a popular destination among holidaymakers searching for sea, sun and relaxation. Well connected to the mainland throughout the year, Rio Marina is the ideal starting point for exploring the “Shining Coast”, the coastal stretch of the Island of Elba that reaches as far as Cavo. There is also plenty available for visitors wanting to take a break from the sea and discover places of historical and cultural interest. Unmissable attractions include the 16th-century Clock Tower, the small church of San Rocco and the huge Island of Elba Mineral Park, an open-air museum you can explore on foot, by bike or on board a small train, among rocks and minerals of inestimable value. To step back in time, visit the Rio Marina rock necropolis, a natural gallery set in the San Giuseppe cave where the remains of over 80 people have been found dating to the 3rd millennium BC.

Capoliveri, perched on the top of a gentle hill on the slopes of Monte Calamita, is one of the seven municipalities on the Island of Elba and one of the reference points for those who choose to spend their holidays on the beautiful island opposite the Gulf of Baratti in Tuscany. The view from the small medieval village is one of the most impressive on the entire island. What also captivates visitors is the atmosphere felt while strolling through the narrow streets and alleyways - discovering small restaurants, fashionable boutiques, artisanal ice cream parlours, cafes and wine bars where you can sip the best Tuscan wines while contemplating the sunset. Those who love the sea will find some of the most beautiful coastlines on the Island of Elba on the slopes of Capoliveri. Like Lacona beach, which is very wide and equipped with all the facilities for a comfortable holiday, or Innamorata beach, known for its sand and small pebbles, ideal starting point for exploring the many coves to be discovered a few steps from the beach. Capoliveri also has much to offer those who want to take a break from the sea. From the Church of San Michele to the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Neve in Lacona, architectural wonders can be discovered amidst scenic paths and easy walks suitable for all types of stamina.

On the Island of Elba, among the smallest municipalities in Italy On the island of Elba, in one of the smallest municipalities in Italy, Marciana Marina is a picturesque seaside resort, characterised by traditional pastel-coloured houses. It offers excellent beaches, including La Marina and the more private Crocetta Beach, which is a great place to admire the “gozzi”, the typical local marine boats. As well as the beaches and promenade, we also recommend visiting the Appiani Tower, built in the 16th century. Outside of the town, you can climb to the top of Monte Capanne and enjoy panoramic views of the sea disappearing into the horizon. Heading there at sunset promises a romantic and atmospheric experience. Be sure to try some typical gastronomic specialities of the Island of Elba, mainly based around fish. The best-known dishes include “Stoccafisso alla Riese” stockfish, which is time-consuming and complex to prepare. Once considered a poor dish prepared by sailors and their families, it is now offered in numerous restaurants.

The South Tyrolean territory is rich in natural areas, precious landscapes whose delicate environmental balance must be preserved. Therefore, the region has established numerous parks. There are seven in all, in addition to the Stelvio National Park. The task of each of them is to protect the invaluable ecosystem and make it accessible to all.

If you are looking for an eco-friendly experience and all-round immersion in nature, you are in the right place. In fact, 25% of the Campania region is occupied by protected areas, which go well with environmental and sustainable tourism. We propose a tour of the four Parks of Campania. An evocative route that will know how to enchant you, giving you landscapes that are always different and full of charm.

The territory defined in December 1922 as the Gran Paradiso National Park extends around the homonymous massif (whose peak exceeds 4000 meters) and in the past was a densely populated area. The architecture of the villages is based on the idea of the alpine house, on the Piedmontese side with constructions entirely made of wood, while on the Aosta Valley side wood is flanked by stone. The maximum splendor of this area was reached in the middle of the 1800s, when members of the House of Savoy came up to these parts to reach the hunting posts. The decision to prohibit hunting when the Park first opened was fundamental to saving the ibexes - which are its symbol - from extinction. Today, this mountain Eden, divided into five valleys where rocky environments, prairies, woods and their borders alternate, is truly within everyone's reach: thanks to the project “an Accessible Paradise”, the tourist offering of the entire protected area is able to satisfy the needs, interests and expectations of a wider range of users.

Thanks to its 70,000 hectares, the Sibillini Mountains National Park (between Umbria and the Marche regions) is a true treasure trove of biodiversity due to the alternating presence of wetlands in the valleys, and thick forests and wonderful plateaus such as that of Castelluccio di Norcia, famous for the flowering of lentils. There are many charming villages nestled in a unique landscape that changes according to the seasons at the various altitudes. In fact, there are many peaks in this area that are beyond 2000 meters of altitude above sea level and among them there are Mount Sibilla Mountain, Mount Bove Mountain and the Redentore Peak.

Bathed by two seas, the Tyrrhenian to the west and the Ionian to the east, very different in terms of landscape, beaches and coastal colours, Basilicata enchants with its small, picturesque villages over 1,000 metres above sea level, woods and forests covering the mountains, a landscape characterised by unspoilt nature that goes hand in hand with a prestigious history: all in one, small region with attractions for all tastes.

In the midst of a great geological and landscape range, between desert areas with volcanic rocks and dense, green forests, stands His Highness Mount Etna, or Muncibbeddu in Sicilian, Mongibello. A symbol of Sicily across the world, it is the largest active volcano in Europe, as well as one of the highest in the world, and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2013.

Matera, a rare jewel of Basilicata, is an enchanting miracle of time. Visiting this Lucanian city is like reliving a glorious past. It resembles a small and delightful nativity scene, which is why it is known as 'the second Bethlehem', providing a backdrop for films such as Pier Paolo Pasolini's The Gospel according to St. Matthew and Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ.

The history of the city of Cosenza is linked by a double thread with the ancient people of the Bruzi, a lineage known for its belligerent spirit but also for its excellent skills in agriculture and in the cultivation of the land. The fruits? Excellent products, primarily oil and wine. It is therefore not surprising why the Wine and Flavors Route is dedicated to this town, a 52-kilometre itinerary, suitable for everyone and accessible in every season of the year. The route crosses Calabria, from the Crati Valley to that of Savuto, in 4 stages of great suggestion.

.Immersed in scenery that is beautiful in all seasons, allow yourself to be transported to an experience with an emphasis on taste and health. The cuisine on offer is more than just zero km: in true agritourisms, more than 60 per cent of the produce must in fact be home-grown, or come from farms and agri-food companies in the same Territorial Development System. So here are 7 green agritourisms in Campania where you can partake in a simple, yet surprising, delicacy.

An ideal territory for cyclists, who between one ride and another can refresh themselves between crescentines with the "cunza", borlengo and a glass of Lambrusco.

Ancona is made up of sea and hills. It seems that in ancient Greek "ankón" meant "elbow", and here the landscape of the coast is really like an elbow drawn from the hill of the Cathedral and the hilly parks of Cardeto and Passetto. In the middle is the city, with the sea horizon facing Dalmatia, ships and cranes along the docks, grandiose historical buildings, mysterious sculptural reliefs, imposing signs of the ancient Roman civilization, and beaches on the slopes of the parks. Spending a day of leisure in the large port city of the central Adriatic means making discoveries. Choosing two wheels is advisable, but not with a push bike: we are in a city of unevenness, not all of us have the strength of a cycling champion in our legs. There is no shortage of places to rent a scooter. You can get to Ancona by motorway, by the very long Adriatic road 16 or by rail. If you want, there is also an airport. The ideal thing would be to arrive in the most natural way: by ship, because you would get the taste of the place in the most panoramic and naturally slow way. Follow the manoeuvres, watch the tyres throw, get in line to disembark and finally begin to discover.

There, everyone can make a tailor-made bike experience, either following the wake of the great champions, or choosing a not too testing ride, even with the whole family. The grand finale of Tirreno-Adriatico, the cycling race that runs across the Italian peninsula from sea to sea, unfolds in a scenery imbued with blooming and salty scents. The itinerary begins on the hills overlooking the sea and ends along the coast. A slower-running course in the first half, owning to the ups and downs that can test your quadriceps and lungs a faster-running route in the second half along the straight stretches that favour an upping pace. Here is a short guide to pick the fittest one for you.