Autumn

The village of Valvasone retains its medieval appearance intact, consisting of pretty alleyways and old houses with porticoes. The imposing castle, which dominates the square of the same name, preserves late Gothic and Renaissance frescoes and a precious 18th-century wooden theatre. The Cathedral of the Sacred Body of Christ, which owes its name to the relic of the miracle of the Sacred Tablecloth preserved in it, houses a monumental organ, the only example in Italy of 16th-century Venetian organ-making art, embellished by the stupendous artistic framework by Pordenone and Pomponio Amalteo. The Church of Saints Peter, Paul and Anthony Abbot, once a hospice that gave shelter to pilgrims and wayfarers, preserves valuable frescoes from the 16th century. Also fascinating is the cloister of the former Servite Convent, built in the 15th century and today partly rebuilt on the ancient foundations.

Cordovado is a small jewel rich in history and valuable monuments, enriched by a splendid castle located within a medieval village, by the ancient Marian Sanctuary, a jewel of Baroque art, by an ancient parish church dating back to the 15th century, but also embellished by landscapes that harmoniously fit into a fascinating and primordial itinerary. This land was a poetic inspiration for great writers such as Ippolito Nievo and PierPaolo Pasolini. The toponym Cordovado designates a large agricultural complex (Curtis) located near the ford on an ancient branch of the Tagliamento river that the bishops of Concordia fortified in the 11th-12th centuries and chose the castle as the seat of their power. Since 2004 the Municipality of Cordovado has been one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy and since 1986 it has held a splendid Historical Re-enactment called the 'Palio dei Rioni' on the first Sunday of September.

Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club A ancient and noble history and now a dynamic and lively town: San Vito al Tagliamento stands on an area of pre-Roman and Roman settlements and still boasts valuable architectural traces of its history, such as the sections of the town wall and moat, the Raimonda, Scaramuccia and Grimana towers, and the castle. The parlour that welcomes visitors is Piazza del Popolo, very central and charming, with its porticoed sides and beautiful palaces, such as Palazzo Altan-Rota, now the town hall, in Venetian style with a beautiful Italian-style garden and a majestic park at the back, and the ancient Loggia Pubblica, former seat of the Town Hall, which now houses a splendid Antico Teatro Sociale, a small Italian-style theatre where numerous shows and events are held. A veritable art gallery of works from different eras is housed in the cathedral, next to which stands the very tall bell tower (73 metres). Also worth a visit are the church of Santa Maria dei Battuti, a masterpiece of the Friulian Renaissance with a cycle of frescoes by Amalteo and annexed to the ancient hospice, which is now a venue for exhibitions, conferences and ceremonies, and the castle, the nucleus from which the historic centre developed, embellished with frescoes both inside and outside and now housing the 'Federico De Rocco' civic museum, with a large collection of artefacts and works from various periods. The area is a production zone for excellent wines, such as Friulano and Merlot DOC Friuli Grave.

The city of a hundred bell towers and the Carnival Acireale is famous for its Carnival, considered the most beautiful in Sicily and among the best in Italy, but it has plenty more to offer besides. In this city in the province of Catania, at the foot of Mount Etna, life revolves around its splendid Baroque historic centre, partly rebuilt after being destroyed in the 1963 earthquake. Don’t miss the Church of San Sebastiano, considered to be the most beautiful in the city. The façade is typically Baroque, while inside it is decorated with beautiful frescoes by Paolo Vasta. The cathedral, with two identical bell towers either side of the façade, is worth visiting. We also recommend exploring the Basilica of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul: its façade, flanked by a high bell tower, is built out of white stone from Syracuse. The true pride of Acireale is its Carnival, which every year attracts thousands of people from Italy and abroad. During this great festival dating back to the 16th century, floats decorated with flowers and allegorical and grotesque figures in papier-mâché parade through the streets, in particular Corso Italia, Corso Savoia, Corso Umberto and Piazza del Duomo, accompanied by music, confetti, flowers, masks and traditional puppets. On Shrove Tuesday, marking the end of Carnival, you can enjoy the floats awards ceremony, fireworks and the burning of the “Re Carnevale” (Carnival King). Flower-laden floats return to parade through Acireale on the last weekend of April for the Carnival of Flowers, while during the Summer Carnival in August, the allegorical floats once again parade through the streets.

There are many reasons to visit Sciacca. Its Carnival, exciting and full of tradition; the splendid and elegant churches and palaces; the Enchanted Garden, with its mysterious statues; the narrow streets that suddenly open onto stairways decorated with beautiful majolica. But Sciacca is above all maritime essence, and this soul is already expressed in the colourful fishermen's houses overlooking the small port, the small boats moored there, the fish unloaded daily to be sold or cooked fresh. And then, to tell this link with the sea, there is the coral. Yes, coral here has characteristics that are unique in the world because it originates from the meeting of the sea with the land: in the 19th century, due to earthquakes and eruptions, many coral reefs were torn off and deposited on the seabed, forming deposits that, through the action of muds and volcanic gases, became something unique, the famous Mediterranean Rubrum coral.

There is a mysterious legend linked to the birth of Novara di Sicilia: it is said that the area was originally inhabited by Cyclopes and that only later did the village develop at the behest of the Saracens, who built a castle there. Today, only the ruins of the castle remain, overhanging the surrounding landscape. What has not changed is the view from this natural balcony, from where on a clear day you can see the Aeolian Islands. Two very different churches in the village are worth seeing: on the one hand, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, emblem of local art, in Renaissance style, majestic, rich; on the other, the small Church of San Francesco, essential, the oldest sacred building in the village. But Novara is also a village of traditions, such as the ancient Torneo della Maiorchina, a game of skill whose protagonist is... the local cheese of the same name!

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.

The fifth edition of Wineland, the event dedicated to Calabrian food and wine excellence, returns to Crotone. From 26 to 28 December 2025, the city centre will be transformed into a large stage of taste, where you can discover and taste selected wines, typical products and delicacies of the local tradition. Three days to celebrate the richness of the territory, meet producers and sommeliers, and let yourself be captivated by the authentic flavours of Calabria. A unique opportunity to toast together to the beauty of the territory and the passion for good food and good wine.

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.

This traditional, prized vegetable comes to us directly from the tables of antiquity. The white asparagus of Cimadolmo PGI was once eaten by the Ancient Egyptians and Romans. Recent cultivation dates back a century and a half and is predominantly focused in Veneto. Only the young shoots, called turions, are boiled, becoming the main ingredient, or side dish of choice, in traditional dishes that are nothing short of exquisite.

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?