Autumn

A trip to Gropparello, the beating heart of the Vezzeno Valley Between the Chero and Riglio streams, 30 km from Piacenza, lies the small municipality of Gropparello, which is easily accessible by car along a scenic road through the hills of the Vezzeno Valley. The landscape is characterised by vineyards and woods that lead you to the village, which is home to a castle and towers. The area has a very mild climate, meaning you can visit all year round, but during autumn it takes on a particularly unique charm thanks to the warm colours of the leaves that fill the surrounding forests. What a beautiful castle! The Gropparello Castle dates back to the 8th century and is famous for its strategic position that has made it unassailable over the centuries. Built on the top of a steep cliff to defend the route into the valley, today this fortress enchants all who visit. After fifteen years of neglect, the castle was bought in 1994 by its current owners, who, in addition to making it their home, have turned it into a place that anyone can visit to appreciate local history and art. With the Castle being Gropparello's main attraction, this small town in the Piacenza area is the perfect destination for family-friendly holidays. In fact, numerous activities are organised to involve even the youngest children and there are various different itineraries you can choose from, based on age group. A jam-packed calendar of events Gropparello is as small as it is full of life. Almost every month the Castle team organises themed parties, festivals and events. Most promote local products and activities with the aim of raising awareness of local traditions and customs. The Fairytale Park is the ideal destination for nature walks and picnics. It has earned itself the title of an “emotional park”, due to the frequent historical re-enactments that are organised, during which you will find yourself catapulted into a fantasy world bursting with knights and magical creatures. The Corsa dei Carretti takes place in early spring to kick-start the season. This activity challenges participating teams to speed down the steep road from the castle in carts. The Festa dell'Allegria (Festival of Happiness) combines fun, music and sport and lasts for several days during the month of June. This charming event also offers you the opportunity to savour local specialities with food and wine tastings. The Festa dell’Uva (Grape Festival) is held in September during harvest time. Children can take part in the crushing of the grapes, which always attracts plenty of eager participants. The Bersani Nativity Scenes–life-size–run from 8 December to 6 January and are set up along the village streets of Bersani. Splendid paintings also adorn the walls and doors of the houses: from Sleeping Beauty to Snow White, you can admire depictions of the most famous fairy tales. Of course, it is a magical place to visit at other times of the year too. Finally, the Strada dei Vini e dei Sapori dei Colli Piacentini (Wine and Flavours Route of the Piacenza Hills) association promotes and organises tours to discover the food and wine delights of the area. Sport and adventure Unmissable outdoor activities in the area include the horseback riding, surrounded by the enchanting landscapes of the Gropparello area. For the sportier visitors, there are trekking and mountain biking trails galore, with a variety of difficulty levels. One of the easiest trails is the Rio Rosello Trail, a round trip that takes about an hour and a half and offers breathtaking views of the watercourse that will accompany you throughout your walk. The path is strewn with small fossils that often emerge from the water. An alternative walk leads to the Riglio Waterfalls, which are small but impressive. Accommodation If you have always wanted to spend a night in a castle, you can do just that in Gropparello by booking the suite at the Torre del Barbagianni. This gives you the unique opportunity to stay in the village for a few more hours and delight your palate with typical local dishes: from game to mushrooms, from wines to cheeses, the area offers a broad choice of delicious products. We recommend pisarei e faso, chisolini, tortelli alla piacentina and bortellina, all paired with a fantastic local wine. A local peculiarity is the fact that they eat so many snacks that these often replace dinner! Around Gropparello Boredom is not an option! Nearby, you can find other small villages, castles and bell towers that make the landscape even more impressive. These include the Castle of Montechino, the castles of Tavasca and Veggiola, now converted into villas, and the Castle of Sariano. Undeniable beauty!

Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club In Etruscan times it was already populated and was called Castiglione. It was then disputed between Perugians and Florentines, who prevailed and in 1384 gave it the attribute of "Florentine". Castiglion Fiorentino today is high on a hill and dominates the Valdichiana. In the village, with a fortified structure, the Vasarian Logges are worth a visit, on the Piazza del Comune, the Cassero which houses the Municipal Art Gallery and the church of Sant'Angelo where the Archaeological Museum is located, with finds from the Etruscan era. Also worth seeing is the collegiate church of San Giuliano, imposing, the church of Gesù from the Renaissance period and that of S. Augustine, Gothic, up to the most intimate churches of Santo Stefano and Santa Chiara.

Overlooking the sea and crossed by the River Foglia, Pesaro is a seaside resort located between two coastal hills: Monte Ardizio to the east-southeast and Monte San Bartolo to the west-northwest, which gives its name to the Monte San Bartolo Natural Park. In 2017, it was recognised by UNESCO as a Creative City for Music, for the promotion and revival of Rossini's music, having been the birthplace of the famous composer Gioachino Rossini, who was born in Pesaro in 1792 and died in Passy, Paris in 1868. Seaside tourism offer There are seven kilometres of sandy beaches between the wide-open coastline, served by more than 100 tourist accommodation facilities, some open all year round, including hotels by the sea, in the centre and in the hills, agritourism activities, campsites and flats, with a total of almost 11,000 beds. The sea is linked to a centuries-old tradition of seaside hospitality that pays special attention to families and children. Pesaro dedicates an event to children, the Mezzanotte bianca dei bambini, the flagship event of the summer tourist programme, and also dedicated to children are a number of read-aloud workshops on the city's beaches, organised by the Baia Flaminia Library. There are many cycle paths: the Bicipolitana is a route reserved for bikers that connects different parts of the city. Signposts indicate the routes. Different coloured lines are provided, each leading in different directions. What to visit Buildings of religious architecture include: the Cathedral, erected on the remains of a late Roman building, which boasts an interesting mosaic heritage; the Church of Sant'Agostino, which preserves a remarkable Gothic-Venetian portal on the façade and important paintings inside; the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie, built in the 13th century by the Malatesta family and rebuilt in Baroque style. Noteworthy monuments and museums include: the 15th-century Rocca Costanza, a work with a square plan, reinforced by cylindrical towers and surrounded by a large moat, formerly used as a prison; the Ducal Palace, the Oliverian Archaeological Museum and the Civic Museums, with the Picture Gallery and the Ceramics Museum; which is located inside Palazzo Mosca, the Sonosphere, a space designed for the immersive enjoyment of three-dimensional sound and audio-visual content; Casa Rossini, which preserves documentary material, including prints and memorabilia related to the life and work of the great composer; the Museo Nazionale Rossini, which recounts the life, the man and the greatness of the artist, but also the topicality of Gioachino Rossini's work; the Teatro Rossini, where the Rof (Rossini Opera Festival), an opera music festival held annually in August since 1980, takes place every year. ROF is also the name of the Foundation established in 1994 to support the Rossini Foundation in the theatrical, musicological and editorial recovery of Rossini's production. A striking contemporary sculpture is Arnaldo Pomodoro's Palla, a bronze sphere created in 1998 by the well-known sculptor. Villino Ruggeri is a beautiful Art Nouveau building, and not far from Pesaro, on San Bartolo Hill, rises Villa Imperiale, built from 1530 onwards. In the San Bartolo Park, in the Pesaro area, Casteldimezzo, Fiorenzuola di Focara and Santa Marina Alta are picturesque hamlets overlooking the blue Adriatic Sea. Among the most significant events taking place in Pesaro throughout the year is the Rof, the Mostra internazionale del Nuovo Cinema, (Pesaro Film Festival), one of Italy's most important film festivals, taking place in June. A gastronomic “gem” is the Pizza Rossini, for its special combination of pizza and mayonnaise. The base is a simple margherita, to which hard-boiled eggs and carefully handmade mayonnaise are added.

Suspended between the land and the sea, Grado rises in the middle of the northernmost of the Adriatic lagoons and boasts more than 1600 years of history, still visible today as you walk along the calli of the ancient Roman castrum, where the early Christian Basilica of Sant'Eufemia and the Basilica of Santa Maria della Grazie stand. An enchanting setting of unquestionable beauty and extraordinary natural wealth, the Grado Lagoon covers 90 square kilometres and includes two nature reserves that safeguard its biodiversity. The calm, clean sea, gently sloping shallow water, numerous fine sandy beaches and good food make this a very safe and protected location. This attention that Grado has always paid to its guests has meant that for 27 consecutive years the resort has been awarded the Blue Flag for environmental quality.

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.

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.

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?