Autumn

Campigna, the small Emilian town with a big green heart Located between Florence and Forlì, a little higher up, immersed in one of the most interesting naturalistic parts of the Emilia Romagna region, Campigna is the smallest village in the Bidente Valley. Located on the border between Romagna and Tuscany. Campigna is a perfect destination in all seasons, for nature lovers. Whether during the summer, exploring the greenery and shaded areas going on walks discovering the local biodiversity or off horseback riding. In the autumn, to experience the beauty of when the colour of the leaves change to red-orange and gold, Campigna is an ideal location. Walking in nature The beating heart of the Natural Park of Casentinesi Forests Monte Falterona and Campigna, established in 1993. Here you'll find the first Italian integral Nature Reserve of Sasso Fratino, from 1959 and open only to scholars with prior authorization. It is easy to understand that this is an area of ​​great naturalistic value, a real paradise for lovers of the mountains and of outdoor living. The ideal starting point for excursions and walks in Campigna is from the Information Point of “La villetta” Park. From there, the Nature Trail starts through the fir trees and then the natural forest of beech trees, silver firs and mountain maples. If you are in Campigna with your family do not miss the educational path "Where the trees touch the sky" along the Cullacce road and the highly accessible equipped path known as "the path for all… the senses". With 600 km of trails, you can spend wonderful days walking in nature, while for those who love mountain biking, there are as many as 20 itineraries to juggle. Passion for skiing Campigna is also perfect in winter, with its ski resort that starts at an altitude of 1510 meters and goes up to 1650. An ideal place for both downhill and cross-country skiing and / or mountaineering. It is also fantastic for hiking and snowshoeing enthusiasts to enjoy the scenery through the white snow-covered trees. Campigna for food lovers After spending the day on the slopes, whether medium or strong difficulty, or on the bobsleigh and sled slopes, hunger will be calling. To restore your strength, Campigna brings the right mix of Romagna and Tuscany to the table, with porcini mushrooms, tasty meats, and renowned cheeses. Spa relaxation for everyone For those who are looking to relax, Campigna also has three thermal spas nearby. In Bagno di Romagna the waters reach 45 °. You can indulge in a restorative bath outdoors with a glorious view of the snow capped mountain peaks.

Grey like the ancient local stone, green like the shady and lush woods that surround it, blue like the clear sky that frames the landscape: these are the colours of Cornello dei Tasso, a village of medieval origin that is one of the most evocative and best-preserved in the region. The village rises sheer above the Brembo river and, due to its houses built in continuity on top of each other, is a small fortified settlement, where typically medieval narrow streets wind between the levels of the houses. The name of the village is linked to the Tasso family, famous above all for the literary work of Torquato Tasso, but also because some of its members founded and managed the European postal service: in fact, Cornello is home to the Tasso and Postal History Museum.

The village of Sestri Levante rises in a spectacular landscape and, with its peninsula dividing the 'two seas' of the Baia del Silenzio and the Baia delle Favole, is one of the most enchanting places people can choose as a destination for a trip. A city of art and culture, its beaches of fine sand are famous, but the beach that best encapsulates the village's soul is at Riva Trigoso: here, every day, fishermen set off to sea, repeating the same ancient gestures for centuries, like a prayer to the sea, so that it will be generous. And the sea is always at the heart of the activities that make travellers' stay special: sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, swimming, but also diving to discover the wrecks sunk during World War II off the coast of Sestri. Finally, the role of the village in literature should not be forgotten: Hans Christian Andersen, who loved this village of sea and traditions, often stayed here in the 19th century, and it is to the famous writer that the town has named an important literary prize linked to the world of children's fiction.

With the earliest evidence dating back to the 2nd millennium B.C., Oria can boast a very ancient origin, over the years growing in importance until it became the capital of Messapia. Frederick II was particularly fond of this town, and the Castle with its triangular plan, three towers, well-preserved walls and extensive parade ground is linked to his figure and myth. Enclosed within the walls, the historic centre can be accessed from Porta Taranto, also known as Porta degli Ebrei (in the 9th century, an important Jewish community settled there and played a fundamental role in the development of the city's literary and scientific fields) and from Porta Manfredi, beyond which one enters the heart of the centre. Amidst squares and narrow streets with a medieval layout, several stately palaces are worth a visit, such as the Sedile, Palazzo Martini Carissimo (home to the Messapian Documentation Centre, with archaeological finds from the area) and Palazzo Vescovile, which houses the Diocesan Museum. Nearby is the Cathedral, with its Baroque appearance, while the Sanctuary of Saints Cosimo and Damiano, not far from the centre, deserves special attention among the many churches that can be visited. There is a packed calendar of events proposed by the municipality: the most important is the Historical Procession of Frederick II and the Torneo dei Rioni, a historical re-enactment in August in which the four districts of the town (Castello, Judea, Lama and Santo Basilio) compete for the Palio.

It lies along the upper valley of the Cesano River on a wide terrace at the confluence with the Cinisco. Testifying to Pergola's glorious past are the famous Golden Bronzes from Cartoceto di Pergola from the Julio-Claudian period, discovered in 1946. The ensemble constitutes one of the very few large gilded bronze equestrian sculptural groups from Roman antiquity that have come down to us, and can be seen in the dedicated museum at the former convent of San Giacomo. The museum also houses an art gallery with paintings and wooden works and a contemporary art section with graphic works by master Walter Valentini. The ancient Ducal Palace, the Malatesta Palace and the 18th-century Angelo Dal Foco Theatre, recently restored after years of neglect, are worth a visit. Pergola's most prized product is the truffle, to which the National Fair of the Pergola Prized White Truffle and Typical Products is dedicated in autumn. In addition to its excellent red wines, Pergola DOC and Colli Pesaresi DOC, Pergola is famous for its Visciole wine.

Relatively populous among the small municipalities of Montefeltro - although not even here do we reach two thousand inhabitants - Carpegna is located on the southern slopes of Monte Carpegna, in an area that is part of the Sasso Simone and Simoncello Interregional Park. In short, the area is excellent for hiking, mountain biking or horse riding, thanks to the many trails available. Climbing to an altiude of 1,204 metres on Sasso Simone, for example, not only offers remarkable views but also lets you reach the remains of a Benedictine abbey and a fortress built by Cosimo de' Medici in the second half of the 16th century. Palazzo Carpegna stands out in the town, with its façade embellished by architectural elements in grey stone and a beautiful two-flight staircase, built by Cardinal Gaspare Carpegna from 1674. Even more remarkable, a couple of kilometres outside the village along Provincial Road 18, is the Parish Church of San Giovanni Battista, of 14th-century origin. The local gastronomic pride is Carpegna ham, cured locally for at least thirteen months, protected by a denomination of origin, and appreciated for its delicate and fragrant flavour.

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!

Internationally-acclaimed, San Daniele ham - which is a PDO product (Protected Denomination of Origin) - stands out from other Italian ham for its unique processing, which doesn’t involve removing the trotter. As for the origin of the raw material (the legs), it’s essential they only come from pigs bred in one of the 11 northern and central regions of Italy (Friuli Venezia Giulia, Veneto, Lombardy, Piedmont, Emilia Romagna, Tuscany, Lazio, the Abruzzi, the Marches, Umbria and Molise).

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.

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.