Autumn

You are dazzled by the scenic perspectives and the rich decorations of the "Baroque capital". This is the definition given by the European Council, then confirmed by UNESCO, which has recognised Noto as aWorld Heritage Site. The ancient city was destroyed by the earthquake of 1693; present-day Noto was built from scratch a dozen kilometres further south, on an orderly grid of streets arranged on sloping terraces. It was designed by Giuseppe Lanza, Duke of Camastra, assisted by a team of high-profile technicians and engineers. Symmetry and harmony were the golden rules for experimenting with innovative urban planning solutions and inventing increasingly precious decorative repertoires. "StoneGardens" is the poetic expression suggested by the great art historian and restoration theorist Cesare Brandi, to describe the challenge to nature by the imagination of architects and stonemasons in bringing stone to life. Each of the three squares that interrupt the central axis of Corso Vittorio Emanuele is a stage, with sets composed of buildings and churches of incredible splendour. Leaving the corso along the perspective vanishing points of the decumani, as the lateral streets might be called if Noto were an ancient-Roman town, there is a continuation of other buildings and churches.

Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club Standing at the top of Mount Castro, in the Nebrodi Park, San Marco d’Alunzio dominates the coastline from Cefalù to Capo d’Orlando, and as far as to the Aeolian Islands. Of very ancient origins, the town preserves traces of the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs and Normans who succeeded one another over the centuries. There are many churches to visit, including the Chiesa Madre, the Chiesa Maria Santissima di Ara Coeli and the Church of San Basilio. Also not to be missed is the Greek temple of Hercules, with its wonderful panoramic views, the ruins of the Norman Castle, and the monumental fountain in local red marble, in the central Piazza Aluntina. There are 3 museums in the town: the IDEA Museum of Science and Technology, the Museum of Byzantine and Norman Culture and Figurative Arts, and the Museum of Sacred Art. The town’s artisan tradition is linked to red marble and there are many workshops that sculpt this material in the area. At the table, the area’s typical, high-quality home cooking is ideal paired with Aluntino wine. Among the events, worth noting are Historical Day (2 June), a medieval re-enactment with a fascinating procession attended by delegations of the historical processions of Sicily, and Borgo in Musica (August), a festival of concerts as well as masterclasses and workshops on the theme of music.

Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club Valfornace is a small town in the province of Macerata established on 1 January 2017 by merging the municipalities of Pievebovigliana and Fiordimonte. The origins of the settlement date back to the Romanesque era, when it was a station on the transit route to Umbria. During the Early Middle Ages it was taken over by the Benedictine monks and later it passed under the authority of the Da Varano family. The attraction of this town, long a meeting point for different peoples, originates from its landscape made up of medium to high hills: to its sides are valleys that lead, on one side, to the fertile Marche plain and, on the other, to mountain pastures, a prelude to the characteristic landscape of the Sibillini mountains. The national park of the same name includes part of this territory and offers plenty of excursions and walks. The Church of S. Maria Assunta in Pievebovigliana, a Romanesque structure whose interior was rebuilt in neoclassical style, houses a precious crypt recovered in 1930. The museum complex, based in the Town Hall, traces the social and artistic history of the territory, from prehistory through to today. It encompasses the “V. Cianfarani” Archaeological Museum, the “R. Campelli” Civic Museum, the Historical Museum of the Territory, a collection of woodcuts by Maria Ciccotti, and the Gino Marotta Collection. The town holds artisan workshops dedicated to the production of handmade fabrics crafted using the “licetti” technique, and it is also possible to buy local typical food products, such such the ancient Mistrà liqueur, prepared with unripe aniseed seeds macerated in alcohol for 40 days, famous as a digestive and in coffee. Due to the earthquake of 2016, we suggest checking the state of the area and the viability of the monuments.

Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club Urbania, once known as Casteldurante, is located in the upper Metauro valley, north of the Marche. It was renamed Urbania in 1636, when Pope Urban VIII elevated it to City and Diocese due to the civilization of its inhabitants and the beauty of the place. The city boasts a fine and very varied cultural and artistic heritage: Palazzo Ducale, today home to the library; the Civic Museum and the Museum of the History of Agriculture and Crafts; the Bramante Theatre, one of the region’s greatest jewels; the Cathedral of San Cristoforo and the Cemetery of Mummies, with 18 bodies perfectly preserved by a curious phenomenon of natural mummification due to a particular mould present in the territory. Not far from the centre stands the Barco Ducale. Particularly rich is the offering of naturalistic experiences in the area, such as itineraries in the Apennines and the Bosco dei Folletti, a playful and educational trail designed for children. The city boasts an important tradition linked to ceramics, and indeed its majolica has made it famous since the Renaissance. Today, the tradition is revived by local shops, and courses in this technique are held throughout the year. Among Urbania’s typical products are crostolo flatbreads served with cured meats, pecorino cheese and wild herbs, and bostrengo, a winter dessert made from rice and walnuts, to be paired with visciole - or cherry - wine. Interesting events include the family-friendly Festa Nazionale della Befana (National Epiphany Day), featuring a variety of shows, workshops, events and activities held on the 6th of January and the 3-4 days leading up to it, the Sagra del Crostolo held in September, and the numerous exhibitions set up at the Palazzo Ducale.

Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club San Severino Marche is one of the most important and characteristic towns in the province of Macerata. Located at an equal distance from the Adriatic Sea and the Sibillini Mountains, it is crossed by the Potenza River. The territory is characterised by mountains to the west and rolling hills to the east. The town’s historical and artistic heritage is truly remarkable, and includes the ancient Roman Septempeda archaeological park and Castello al Monte, which stands in an elevated position and features the leaning tower of the Smeducci, fortifications, an Archaeological Museum, the Old Cathedral and the Sanctuary of the Madonna dei Lumi. The historic centre is built around the large and orderly Piazza del Popolo, in the typical elongated ellipse shape, featuring porticoes and shops, many stately buildings, the Church of San Giuseppe and the Teatro Feronia. A short distance away are the New Cathedral (Church of Sant’Agostino) and the Church of San Lorenzo in Doliolo. As regards museums, you’ll be spoilt for choice, what with the aforementioned Archaeological Museum, the Civic Art Gallery, the Museum of Industrial Archaeology of Borgo Conce and the MArec – Museum of Salvaged Art, which brings together in a single exhibition works salvaged from the churches of the Archdiocese after the earthquake of 2016. Many of the works on display were donated by the local art school, whose greatest exponents include the Salimbeni brothers and Lorenzo d’Alessandro. The plateau of Canfaito is well worth a visit, with its age-old beech forests - wonderful in every season of the year - in the Regional Nature Reserve of Mount S. Vicino and Mount Canfaito, and its castles scattered throughout the territory, such as Elcito, Pitino and Aliforni. For outdoor lovers, the territory offers Cammino dei Forti, a ring-route pilgrims' way in 5 stages that starts and ends at San Severino Marche. The areas main products are the cold cut ciauscolo PGI and extra virgin olive oil, while the typical dish is vincisgrassi alla maceratese. The most interesting events in San Severino Marche are undoubtedly: the historical re-enactment of the Palio dei Castelli in June, during the feast day of the patron saint, which ends with the “Corsa delle Torri” race in Piazza del Popolo; the international music festival San Severino Blues, which has been bringing leading international musicians and groups to the town since 1991; and the theatre season at Teatro Feronia.

Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club Morrovalle, close to the Sibillini mountains and the Adriatic Sea, is situated on one of the rolling hills that follow the course of the Chienti River. Its beautiful landscapes combine with a wealth of history, culture, traditions, food and wine. The historic centre has maintained the medieval appearance typical of villages built around the 11th century. The medieval Palazzo del Podestà and Palazzo Lazzarini and the Civic Tower stand in Piazza del Comune, alongside the 19-century Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall). Particularly pleasant to visit are the unusual International Nativity Museum, which houses about 800 nativity scenes from all over the world in a wide variety of materials and styles, and the Civic Museum-Picture Gallery, recently expanded to include an archaeological section exhibiting finds from 700-600 BC. In the former Franciscan Convent, now converted into a modern Auditorium, a Eucharistic miracle took place: a host was found intact, following the fire that destroyed the tabernacle in 1560. Nearby you can visit Selva di San Francesco, equipped with a picnic area and benches along the paths, as well as a nature trail with signs illustrating the most important varieties of flora and fauna that inhabit the city's ancient forest. Moreover, pleasant walks and bike rides will allow you to explore the wonderful avenues of the Pincio park and the naturalistic cycling routes around the town. Morrovalle forms part of the Fermo-Macerata footwear district due to the presence of numerous footwear companies. The area also stands out for its many high-quality holiday and agricultural farms, specialised in particular in the production of Colli Maceratesi DOC and Rosso Piceno DOC wines. Local products include cheeses and cured meats, including the typical “ciavuscolo”. The towns’ most important events are: the Representation of the Living Nativity, held in the streets of the historic town centre, with over 300 actors reenacting scenes of the nativity and ancient crafts; Calici di Stelle, held in August, when the town comes to life with wine, oil and produce tastings under the celestial vault; and Incanto d'Autunno, held in the historic town centre in October to celebrate the crafts and products of yesteryear with music, gastronomic stands and various forms of entertainment.

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.

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 are three main colours that characterise the Apulian table, and they happen to be the same as the national flag: green, white and red. Green is the colour of extra virgin olive oil, appreciated and known throughout the world for its unique and unmistakable taste, and of vegetables, which grow luxuriantly thanks to the mild climate, the basis of Mediterranean cuisine and play a fundamental role in many typical dishes. White is that of fresh homemade pasta, made with water and durum wheat flour, such as cavatelli, strascinati, troccoli and orecchiette; it is that of cheeses and dairy products, of undisputed goodness, such as stracciatella, burrata, scamorza, cacio ricotta, canestrato, Pallone di Gravina (a semi-hard cheese made of uncooked pasta filata), and strong ricotta with a spicy flavour; it is also the white of bread, prepared according to a ritual and a method that make it tasty and savoury. Among all, Altamura bread, baked in wood or stone ovens, with its typical crunchy crust and soft crumb. Red is the colour of cured meats with an unforgettable taste, such as capocollo di Martina Franca, soppressata, pancetta and seasoned sausage; it is also the colour of talented red wines, such as Primitivo di Manduria, Nero di Troia and Negroamaro.

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?

If in doubt, we certainly recommend a visit here, with its patchwork of small vineyards that carpet the hillsides and valleys of the area, dotted with the precious vines that have been cultivated for centuries with hard work and passion, which can even make teetotallers jump out of their skin with enthusiasm.