Autumn

A natural terrace on the Costa degli Dei The coasts of Calabria are renowned around the world and the Costa degli Dei (Coast of the Gods) is one of the most visited places in Italy during the summer. Countless natural gems contribute to the great popularity of this area, stretching from Pizzo Calabro to Nicotera. The most noteworthy include the Capo Vaticano coastline, which is overlooked by the village of Ricadi, perched on a picturesque promontory that offers magical views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. In Capo Vaticano, you can relax on the free, pristine beaches or explore the many villages and residences that offer guests comfort and entertainment. Visitors who want to discover more about the area can head to the Mu.Ri, the Civic Museum of the Municipality of Ricadi, which is divided into five exhibition centres located throughout the territory: the Museum of the Sea in Capo Vaticano, the Onion Museum in Capo Vaticano, the Tower Museum in Torre Marrana di Brivadi, the Museum of Peasant Art in Ricadi and the Anthropological and Palaeontological Museum in Santa Domenica. Be sure not to miss the panoramic path along Capo Vaticano, a walking trail 100 metres above sea level. You can climb up to the lighthouse and stop on its natural terrace to enjoy the splendour of the Calabrian coastline, from the beaches of Grotticelle to the small Bay of S. Maria.

It is a seaside enchantment Tropea, a town known above all for its beautiful beaches, for its seabed ideal for those who love underwater exploration, and for its gastronomy. In fact, the Tropea onion is known the world over for its sweetness, a sweetness favoured by the climate and the proximity of the sea. The sea was, in its history, also a source of danger: to defend it, the Arabs built the Torre Lunga on the highest part of the rock, the Byzantines the walls and the Aragonese the Torre Maestra. Also worth experiencing is the old town, where the scent of saltiness pervades the air and the small restaurants offer unmissable fish dishes, to be enjoyed perhaps outdoors and then go and look at the sea that, in the dark of night, reflects the thousand lights of the city.

Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club In Gerace, perched on a cliff in a dominant position, you can admire the coast on one side and the mountains on the other. According to legend, it was by following a sparrowhawk (hièrax in Greek, hence the name of the village) that the refugees from Locri arrived on this cliff and founded the town there. Today, the town is divided into several parts (the historical centre, Piana, Borghetto and Borgo Maggiore), to be discovered by strolling in peace and quiet and getting lost in the narrow, characteristic alleys. Special features of the village are the many beautiful churches (under the Normans it was known as the "city of 100 churches" as many were built), including the cathedral, one of the most important in the South and the largest in Calabria, consecrated in 1045 and complemented by the Diocesan Museum, the Gothic-style convent church of San Francesco d'Assisi, the Greek Orthodox church of San Giovannello considered the oldest Orthodox church in Italy and the church of Santa Maria del Mastro, which is also very old (1084). Also worth seeing is the Bombarde viewpoint, the baroquePorta del Sole, through which you can reach the true heart of Gerace, the Piazza del Tocco, where seven streets converge and on which the Palazzo Grimaldi-Serra, seat of the town hall, overlooks. On the edge of a cliff there are the remains of the ancient 11th-century Norman castle. At the table, the advice is to try thepasta with "mbuttunate" aubergines seasoned with the olive oil of the large olive, and Greco, a sweet, fortified wine to be drunk with honey and figs as a gesture of hospitality. In July the town comes alive by hostingIl Borgo Enchantato, an international street art festival.

Several names have been used to call Altomonte over the centuries: Brahall, Bragalla, Antifluvius until 1343, and finally the current name, at the behest of Queen Giovanna II of Naples, a name that tells, with its very sound, part of the essence of this village. The town lies at the foot of the Pollino National Park and is one of the most enchanting villages in the province, known for its important artistic and cultural heritage. Part of Altomonte lies on the plain, washed by the Esaro, Grondi and Fiumicello rivers, and part is instead perched atop a hill with a splendid panorama. The mediaeval soul of the village, built on a pre-existing fortified nucleus, is still clearly visible: the stone portals of its houses, the work of local stonemasons and realized between the 17th and 19th centuries, are evocative.

Nothing strikes you more, strolling through the narrow streets of Roseto Capo Spulico, than the splendid sea that stands out in front of the town, blue, clear and sparkling. Here the climate is always mild and it seems that the name of the village derives precisely from the roses, whose blossoming, thanks to these ideal conditions, embellishes the village all year round. An ancient village, Roseto was born in the 10th century and reached its maximum splendour in 1200, a period in which the Castrum Petrae Roseti was built, which today houses the town hall and the Museum of Rural Civilisation; in addition to the Castle, other traces of the medieval past can be found along the coast in the remains of the watchtower, known as the Capo Spulico or Torre Spaccata tower.

Strategically located where the rugged Sila mountains slope down to meet the white sandy coastline, the Calabrian town of Rossano, in the province of Cosenza, welcomes visitors with its natural, historical and artistic heritage and timeless beauty. History, art and culture of the “Byzantine Pearl” of Calabria Presumably founded by the Oenotrians, it fell into the hands of the Romans, before passing under Byzantine, Norman and Swabian rule. In the Byzantine period, the city experienced great splendour. It became the strategic centre of the Byzantine Empire from 540 to 1059. In 951-952 was the seat of the “Stratego” (military and civil leader) and became the capital of the Byzantine possessions in Italy, known as the “Byzantine”, the “Ravenna of the South”, and the “Byzantine Pearl of Calabria”. A new seat of political, religious and artistic power, Rossano boasted a rich and stimulating environment that influenced contemporary society. It was the birthplace of popes including Zosimus, John VII, Zechariah and John XVI, as well as Saint Nilus, a monk and founder of splendid abbeys, most notably the famous Greek Abbey of Grottaferrata near Rome. All-Italian art with references to Greece This fertile substrate, also rich in craft workshops and art shops, led to a flourishing cultural and artistic renaissance, evidenced by the Cathedral of Maria Santissima Achiropita, of great architectural and artistic value. It was there in 1879 that a precious manuscript was found, which undoubtedly made its way to Rossano thanks to some monks who were fleeing from barbarian invasions or the iconoclastic fury that raged in the East between the 7th and 8th centuries: the Codex Purpureus Rossanensis, ancient Gospels recognised by UNESCO as documentary human heritage, kept in the Diocesan Museum. Fourteen beautiful miniatures decorate one of the oldest existing gospel books in the world: 188 sheets of parchment dyed purple (hence why they are also known as the Purple Codices), containing the entire Gospel of Matthew and almost all of Mark. It is a symbolic document of Calabria, a region that was able to bring together the Greek-Eastern and Latin-Western civilisations. Near Rossano is an important example of medieval Calabrian-Byzantine architecture: the Church of Santa Maria del Patire (or Patirion), with its stunning floor mosaic. Guarding the gentle sandy coastline is the Norman Tower of Sant’Angelo, which, with its innovative defensive solutions, provided protection against attacks from the sea. Its star-shaped layout with four diamond-pointed bastions could also withstand sieges thanks to the well, which crossed the entire tower vertically and ensured a water supply to all floors. Today, exhibitions, conferences and theatrical performances breathe new life into its walls. Between sweet and bitter tastes: the famous Amarelli Liquorice and its museum Ranging from the rugged mountains to the sea, Rossano offers numerous opportunities to enjoy a holiday in contact with nature: hiking, biking and trekking itineraries allow visitors to immerse themselves in the great variety of landscapes of the Sila National Park or the Pollino National Park. The unique microclimate of the area has fostered the cultivation and production of the famous Amarelli Liquorice, exported throughout Europe and the world. The Giorgio Amarelli Liquorice Museum displays tools and utensils used to process the liquorice root from which this delicious treat is obtained: clothes, objects and manuscripts tell the story of a family that, for around four centuries, used the roots of the liquorice plants that grow wild on the Ionian coast. The entire late-18th-century complex, with its museum centre and Auditorium, is today the “warm”, beating heart of cultural life. An embrace of aromas and flavours While the most renowned product of this area is liquorice, the vast and unique territory also boasts various other products, such as white olive oil, once used for sacred rituals. This area, which has always been a crossroads of cultures, is home to countless products that enhance the traditional cuisine with aromas that speak of the land, sea, sun, east and west ...making you feel the embrace of the Mediterranean.

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 Pollino National Park extends from the Tyrrhenian Sea to the Ionian Sea, covering an area of almost 200,000 hectares and is one of the GeoParks protected by UNESCO. It is located between Basilicata and Calabria. It is a heterogeneous structure, from the Piani di Campolongo, Novacco, and Lanzo, to Piani del Pollino, home to the Argentino and Abatemarco rivers, the Lao and Raganello gorges, and the streams of Peschiera and Frido. The whole area of Pollino is formed by the Massifs of Pollino and Orsomarso. The mountain range, which is part of thesouthern Apennines, can boast the highest peaks in southern Italy, covered with snow for a long period of the year, starting in November and ending in May, when the snow melts. The peaks of the Park reach an altitude of 2,200 metres above sea level. The natural area consists of dolomitic rocks, limestone ramparts, fault walls, cliffs, very deep gorges, and also plateaus, meadows and high altitude pastures. One of the "green" symbols of the Park is certainly the Loricato Pine, called "living fossil" or "dinosaur of the trees" by many, due to the ability of this type of conifer to resist and thrive in difficult environments, at altitudes above 1000 metres, and in isolated areas, where other types of trees cannot survive.

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.

Every Sunday from October 27th until December 1, Piazza Cisterna comes alive with Autunno Ragalnese: markets featuring typical products, local crafts, and delicious specialties. Don’t miss: Sausage, Caliceddi and Wine Fair Finale with the Nocellara dell’Etna Olive Oil Fair Fun for the whole family: every Sunday, kids’ entertainment and themed workshops from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Come and enjoy the colors and flavors of Etna!

Sogliano al Rubicone is ready to welcome travellers, food and wine tourists and simple lovers of good food for the 50th Sogliano PDO Fossa Cheese Fair. The Fair will be on the Sundays of 23, 30 November and 7 December 2025 and has now become a renowned event at a national level because over time it has been able to promote and renew the fascinating history of Fossa Cheese. In addition to the renowned cheese, considered a small treasure since the eighteenth century, the Fair will be the perfect opportunity to taste and buy other typical Sogliano products such as Savòr, Saba, Montetiffi clay baking trays (ideal for cooking piadina), honey, cured meats, etc. But there will also be other food and wine excellences, such as wines and cheeses, from different regions of Italy. In particular, we would like to point out: “5 Ristoranti in Piazza”: five Sogliano restaurateurs offer 5 menus based on Fossa Cheese (and more), to be enjoyed in a large heated and covered area “E Zir dal Fosi”: Tasting itinerary based on fossa cheese and pairing with wines at the 5 "Fosse" present in the historic center of Sogliano al Rubicone, in collaboration with the “Consorzio dei Vini di Romagna”. As usual, the traditional lunch/refreshment will not be missed in the premises of the Pro Loco of Sogliano. Many side events will accompany the gastronomic content of the fair: theatrical, musical and recreational shows, conferences, concerts, workshops, an area dedicated to children and entertainment with shows and ancient games.

In June, the weekends in Breme become tastier to celebrate the “Dolcissima”, a red onion which has been produced in Breme for generations and now bears the De.Co mark (municipal denomination of origin). This gastronomic event started out as a small local event and over the years has become a real reference point for gastronauts and chefs from Italy and beyond, in search of new inspiration. Each year, the festival aims to promote a small but precious product from the area's short supply chain. It does so by embracing the culinary tradition of the Lomellina Valley, with its generous recipes: the “dolcissima” is the queen of the menus prepared for the occasion and is paired with tripe, typical stews, grilled meats and the ever-present omelette, the true must of the festival!

It is 'the learned', because in 1088 it saw the birth of the first university in the western world, which still today attracts students from around the world. It is 'the red' because of the characteristic colour of its roofs, visible from the top of its medieval towers. And it is 'the fat' – you just try to resist the temptation of a sandwich stuffed with fresh mortadella or a dish of piping hot lasagna!

Of all the types of journey, opting for a route that follows the tasting stops has its reasons. Savouring the typical dishes of an area will accomplish a twofold mission: to satisfy the palate and get to know the traditions of the area. A food and wine itinerary in the Aosta Valley is this and much more. Mountain flavours, treasured traditions, the finest ingredients: the typical products of the Aosta Valley are worth the journey, and at the first taste you will understand why.

The chestnut finds its ideal habitat here thanks to the temperate climatic conditions, exposure to the sun and the chemical and physical composition of the soil: Marroni del Monfenera PGI chestnuts are the tastiest. We’re here on the slopes of Monfenera, in the foothills of Grappa and Montello in the province of Treviso, where miracles happen.

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.

A sort of an uncharted territory in regards to mass tourism, Molise, which lies between the regions of Abruzzo and Apulia, is a region that hosts numerous art treasures, breathtaking natural sceneries, and thousand-year-old traditions. A very characteristic aspect of Molise is its network of tratturi, the ancient grassy paths of transhumance from the pre-Roman Era up to only a few centuries ago, our ancestors traveled these trails, driving their animal herds from season to season. Livestock transhumance, the principal mainstay of the Southern peasant, was (and is still, in some cases) based on a very rigorous journey from the cool mountain pastures of Abruzzo in autumn, to the hot and humid Apulian Plateaus (where they reverse direction in summer).

These are the magnificent scenery of the Langhe, Roero and Monferrato, where the great Italian wines of Piedmont, Barolo and Barbaresco, are produced. This jewel of Piedmont with its seductive landscapes has become part of the World Heritage List of Unesco.

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.

The Tuscan countryside around Siena takes in spas as well as excellent food and wine with these five delightful cycling routes through picture postcard nature. The spectacular countryside around Siena, in Tuscany, offers slow rides immersed in nature with the bouquet of wines and truffles, natural spas and very old villages still pervaded by the presence of the ancient Etruscans. Here are five essential itineraries for a truly complete sensory experience. These enchanting landscapes will also welcome stages of the Giro d'Italia 2023.

A farmer on his way back from the fields, an ancient Roman on a road heading North, a never-forgotten champion holding the handlebar with all his might. What about you? Who are you dreaming to be? The hinterland in Le Marche plays the main role in the second to last stage of Tirreno-Adriatico, the coast-to-coast race in which the cycling top contenders face off. The itinerary we are describing in these lines, however, lends itself to the (perhaps down-scaled) effort of the cycling enthusiasts. The merit goes to its mild slopes, immersed in the woods or surrounded by sunflower fields, its artistic richness and its wide culinary offer. Who among you, once off the bike, can say ‘no’ to a dish of cold cuts paired with some Vernaccia?