Autumn

Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club On the border between Campania and Puglia stands Zungoli, a village surrounded by mountains: the Molara, Monticelli and Toppo dell'Anno. The village is traversed by a section of the Regio Tratturo Pescasseroli-Candelatrail, which is gaining popularity as a tourist, sports and eco destination thanks to the opportunities for horse riding and trekking. The historic centre winds around the hillside in the original medieval plan. You can visit the 11th-century Norman castle by climbing the imposing ramp with the municipal crest in porphry stone, or the Convent of St Francis and the Church of Mary the Crowned. There's also an “underground” Zungoli. Below the streets in the historic centre lie tuff stone caves on various levels. Dating from the Byzantine era, the chambers are intercommunicating and have served various functions over time include a shelter and wine cellar. The caves are now used as a store room for the local cheeses, of which the highlight is Caciocavallo Podolico. This hard-bodied, full-flavoured cheese is cave-aged for two years or more, during which time it forms a crust of mould, under which the body of the cheese matures. Places to sample the cheese include the Lidia cheese factory or the Molara Agricultural Cooperative. The village also produces PDO Ravece organic and ordinary olive oil (theSan Comaio version has been voted the best organic oil in Campania several times). The oil has a mildly piquant flavour with great organoleptic qualities. The agricultural and shepherding tradition lives on, thanks to the Festival of Transhumance on the first Sunday in September, when visitors can sample and buy the typical local produce.

Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club Not far from the famous beaches of Salento, Corigliano d 'Otranto is part of Grecìa Salentina, a linguistic island in which griko, an ancient language of Greek origin, is spoken. This tradition is still preserved and developed today: each of the town's main monuments, for example, has a panel with a description in Italian, English and Griko, with the opportunity to listen to a poem recited by a local in this language. The imposing Castello de’Monti is located at the entrance to the historic centre: dating back to the Middle Ages, with its main façade of great impact and artistic value, richly decorated, it is now a particularly lively place, where guided tours, congresses, events and ceremonies are organised, as well as hosting a restaurant and a café. Entering the heart of the historic centre and strolling through its streets, you can admire the rich architectural, historical and archaeological heritage, including the mother church of St Nicholas, with the central rose window that illuminates the interior with a very suggestive mosaic. The ancient portal known as Arco Lucchetti is embellished with dense carvings of Byzantine, classical and Islamic inspiration: the advice is to stop and admire them, before passing under them. At the table, there are two typicalproducts to enjoy: Corigliano white truffle andpopaneddha, a sweet cucumber usually consumed in summer as a fruit or as an ingredient for fresh salads. The village comes alive with various events, especially in the summer: for example, the first stage of the Night of Taranta in August and the SEI Festival in July.

Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club A small municipality in the upper Gesso valley, in the province of Cuneo, Entracque is located within the Maritime Alps Regional Park. Its name, of Latin origin, means' between the waters'. The historic centre is a fascinating succession of mountain houses, in wood and stone, numerous fountains, churches, sanctuaries and a museum of sacred art that testifies to the rich cultural and artistic heritage linked to the village's religious community. Places to visit include the church of Sant'Antonino Martire, already mentioned in the 13th century; the Uomini e Lupi (Men and Wolves) Wildlife Centre, the first wildlife centre in the Italian Alps entirely dedicated to the wolf, which offers the opportunity to learn more about the animal; and the Enel Power Station Information Centre, to learn all the secrets of the dams. In Entracque, nature reigns supreme, and the village is the perfect base for sports enthusiasts from trekking to alpine skiing, Nordic skiing or snow walking. Find out more: https://www.visitcuneese.it

Santa Cesarea Terme is a village that overlooks the Adriatic Sea and, with the oriental elegance of its historic centre, looks out to the sea from the plateau on which it is set, like a precious jewel made even more beautiful by the surrounding landscape. A heart of rock and sea, from the four natural caves along the coast comes a beneficial sulphurous water that has made the town a renowned spa. Outside the historic centre, a path through the Aleppo pines leads to the upper part of the town: from here the eye sweeps over the sea, the coastal towers and the limit where the land of Apulia caresses the sea, Santa Maria di Leuca. A village of sea and nature, of hidden beauties, waiting to be discovered.

In the middle Aniene Valley in the province of Rome, Vicovaro stands on an outcrop of Monti Lucretili. The village was built on the ruins of the ancient city of Varia, a settlement of the proud Equi people, conquered with great difficulty by the Romans on their way to conquer Abruzzo and build the Via Tiburtina. The Aniene Valley, and nearby Ustica Valley, had an eminent past, as we are reminded by Roman poet Quintus Horatius Flaccus, who had his wonderful Villa in this area, near what is now the village of Licenza. The name “Vicus Varius” is recorded in the early Middle Ages, in connection with the Benedictine monastery of San Cosimato. The territory, a buffer state between the powerful abbeys of Farfa and Subiaco and the Diocese of Tivoli, was gifted by Pope Celestine III to his nephews in 1191. From Vicovaro, the family's first feud, came the power of the glorious Orsini family. The relationship of the princes with the population was always very good, not least thanks to the rulers promoting the "Charta Libertatis", one of the oldest statutes in the province of Rome, in 1273. Under the Orsini family, Vicovaro flourished economically and artistically: many palaces and churches were built, including the Tempietto di San Giacomo Maggiore, with a façade that bears witness to various construction phases. Don’t miss the 18th-century church of San Pietro, built on the wishes of the Cenci-Bolognetti family, new feudal lords, over the medieval Orsini church; the ancient parish church of the Holy Saviour with the oratory of San Sabino; the church of Santa Maria, once a Franciscan convent, home to a Franciscan community in the early years of Franciscanism; the Sant'Antonio Abate church standing on the mighty cyclopean walls; the church and convent of San Cosimato, with the hermitages that tell of the life of Saint Benedict, who lived there, before going to Subiaco, and famously suffered an attempted poisoning by monks not so accustomed to submitting to the rigidity of the law. It is a village worth visiting to immerse yourself in history, in the beauty of the Monti Lucretili Natural Park and the Aniene Valley.

Archaeological finds, natural beauty and historical cults On a coastal promontory overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, Tindari is a subdivision of Patti, in the province of Messina, rich in cultural and scenic beauty. In the centre is the ancient Sanctuary of the Madonna of Tindari, linked to the cult of the “Matri ‘u Tinnaru”, a wooden sculpture from an unspecified period known as the Black Madonna, one of the oldest Marian devotions in Sicily. Nearby is the archaeological area, where remains of temples and part of an acropolis and amphitheatre have been discovered. We recommend taking the ancient Coda di Volpe trail to the Reserve of the Lakes of Marinello, a 400-hectare protected area. The route, immersed in Mediterranean scrubland, offers spectacular views of the Gulf of Patti, the Aeolian Islands, the Peloritani mountain range and the Milazzo peninsula. Don’t miss the Roman Villa of Patti, with its mosaics and artefacts, and the Cathedral Basilica of San Bartolomeo, featuring lava stone and white marble decorations on the façade and an Arab-Norman-style portal. For a dip in the sea, we recommend the seaside village of Mongiove. 20 kilometres away is the Grotta del Tono, a cave of great historical-geological interest located in Gioiosa Marea, where you can explore tunnels, stalactites and stalagmites. We recommend booking a guided tour with experienced cavers.

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.