Autumn

Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club Between Comelico and Carnia, on the border between Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Sappada is a mountain resort set against the splendid backdrop of the Dolomites, where the river Piave, considered sacred to the Italian nation, has its source. The municipality is made up of 15 scattered hamlets, each of which has several examples of traditional Sappada houses, made of wood using the traditional 'block' technique, as a reminder of the historic rural architecture. In the village, there is a very strong sense of identity and belonging to the local German-speaking culture (there is also an association, Plodar, which since 1995 has been working to preserve and develop it), which has left its mark on the language ,traditions, habits and customs. The three museums are worth seeing: the " Giuseppe Fontana" ethnographicmuseum, which documents the history of the work and culture of the valley; the ancient Puicher s'Kottlars house, a mid-nineteenth-century wooden house that has become a house-museum of rural civilisation, in which the spaces of the houses of the past have been reconstructed; and the Small Museum of the Great War, created by the passion of two collectors, with finds, uniforms, tools and field stoves belonging to Italian and Austrian soldiers during the First World War.Traditional, evocative and well-known is the Sappadino Carnival, which takes place over several days with disguises, skits, parades. The beautiful wooden masks are carved by expert local artisans (such as young Manuel Graz Cesco), while the most typical character of the Carnival, which has also become a symbol of Sappada , is theRollate, who is responsible for opening and closing the parades and to whom Fat Monday is entirely dedicated.Some of the local dishes are also linked to the Carnival, especially desserts: pancakes , krischkilan (a kind of fried pastry) , hosenearlan (a local version of Belluno chestnuts), mognkròpfn (with a poppy filling). You can also enjoy the typical Sappada cheese, at the Plodar Kelder dairy or at the Mondschein and Laite restaurants.

A small, pretty village in the Subappennino Dauno area, Biccari stands in a borderland near Campania. The village is a small treasure set in a treasure chest of verdant nature, amidst still unspoilt and wild landscapes, such as the natural area of Lake Pescara and the Cerasa Forest, which lies at the foot of the region's highest peak, Mount Cornacchia. Here it is possible to make a special excursion, which allows you to penetrate the greenery enough to catch a glimpse of the last wolves of Apulia, elegant and precious animals that are unfortunately disappearing faster and faster from our lands. Not to be missed, however, is also the historic centre, fascinating and evocative with its narrow streets and historic buildings.

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.

Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club It is thesplendid alpinecontext of thevalley of the Gran San Bernardo that forms the backdrop to the medieval village ofÉtroubles, at an altitude of 1270 metres, crossed by theVia Francigena that linked the British islands to Rome, crossing Europe. Strolling along the characteristic historic centre, between stone houses, cobbled alleys and fountains, you cannot fail to admire the sculptures and frescoes by contemporary Italian and foreign artists, which form a permanent open-air museum. Also worth a visit are the Parish Church (1815) with its cusped bell tower of the fifteenth century, the Dairy Museum, which demonstrates the various stages of milk processing to produce local cheeses with the tools of the nineteenth century, the small Bertin plant, where you can find documents, machinery and objects related to the production of hydroelectric energy, dating back to the early twentieth century. The village preserves and enhances a number of ancient traditions, linked to events and sport. A distinctive carnival is held in Étroubles, in which the masqueraders wear typical embroidered costumes, with sequins, rosettes and mirrors still made in the municipality, commemorating the passage of Napoleon's troops, while in August there is the Veillà, an atmospheric and folkloric event with the inhabitants re-enacting costumes and trades of the past. Lastly, fiolet, the Valle d'Aosta version of the Lippa savoiarda, has been a popular game in Étroubles for a long time. For a taste of typical high-quality products, reinterpreted with creativity, you can make a stop at Le gite aux Marroniers, a café-restaurant in the historical centre run by young chef Ilaria Pilone.

Bitti is one of the most important centres of northern Barbagia, a village where traditional culture weaves its webs in flavours, in the traces of the most ancient history and in song! Here, typical products and the ancient gestures with which they are still made are recounted in the Museum of Peasant and Pastoral Civilisation, while the Romanzesu Complex, one of the most important centres of Nuragic Sardinia, takes us back in time with the remains of this ancient village. But, as we were saying, it is tenor singing that is one of Bitti's most precious jewels: a symbol of the island's intangible culture, it has been declared 'Intangible Heritage of Humanity' by UNESCO. The very interesting Multimedia Museum of Tenor Singing is dedicated to it, telling its visitors about the roots of this splendid tradition that has been handed down through the generations.

Soleto is located in the heart of Grecìa Salentina, a land where the ancient Griko dialect of Hellenophone origins is still kept alive. The village is the site of ancient legends, which have been handed down for centuries, and of curious and fascinating discoveries. The most mysterious legend features the Orsini spire, which is said to have been built in a single night by the 'macare', the Salento witches, together with demons summoned by the alchemist Matteo Tafuri. And then there is a story of mysterious and tiny maps: in fact, it was in Soleto that the oldest known geographical map in the world was found in 2003! Slightly larger than a postage stamp and dating back to the 5th century B.C., it depicts the 'capo japigio' corresponding to present-day southern Salento.

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 Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo was established in 1923 to protect nature and to save certain wild animals from extinction. It’s in the heart of the central Apennines between the Abruzzi, Lazio and Molise and its some 50,000 hectares are home to 25 towns. The scenery here is characterized by mountain chains, karst phenomena, rivers (including the Sangro River) and streams. It’s the ideal place to spend pleasant days in close contact with nature and to admire uncontaminated landscapes, rich flora and varied fauna. It is here that certain species such as the Marsican brown bear (40 bears), golden eagle, Apennine wolf, deer, otter and chamois have found refuge and their habitat amongst remote valleys and inaccessible mountains.

Geocaching is a kind of treasure hunt: the participants, armed with GPS devices, go in search of geocaches, containers of various sizes and types, hidden in the most remote places. Originally conceived as a game, the experience has turned into an opportunity to extend the holiday mood. Perhaps in nature reserves, places where you can take refuge from the summer heat and appreciate the beauty of the outdoors. But how does a treasure hunt work? Let's find out together.

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.

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!

A land of motors and taste, Modena is a city that offers many possibilities for visiting. Magnificent architectural works that have become UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a lively cultural life and a tasty culinary tradition make Modena a place you can visit all year round. Are you already in the mood to discover these wonders?

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).

Have you reached this earthly paradise? Then make yourself comfortable and examine the cheese menu, firstly with Fontina, the queen of Valle d'Aosta products. You will be able to recognise it by its sweet flavour and straw-yellow colour, paler in the cheeses produced in winter, when the cows are fed with hay, and deeper in summer production. These are followed by delicacies such as Gressoney toma cheese, salignon, reblec, brossa, seras and goat cheeses, each with its own story to tell. Listen and taste them all. Go on to classics such as Valdostana-style chops, polenta concia and ”soupe valpellineintze” (Valpellina-style soup); venison, chamois in salmì (in “civet”), trout, “carbonade”, a beef stew, and fondue, a single dish made with cheese, melted in a dedicated pot, to be consumed hot, are also excellent. Enjoy sausages, such as Vallee d'Aoste jambon de Bosses, a specially matured ham, Boudin with a refined taste, Saouseusse, seasoned minced meat, Lard d'Arnad, soft lard, Teuteun, salted beef udder, Motzetta, aromatic dried meat. The Alpine microclimate is the joy of apples, which develop intense flavours here. Try the Red and Gold delicious, Jonagold and Renetta: raw or cooked, they are sweet and versatile, the basis of smoothies, sweet or savoury jams, to be served with fine dishes. Last but not least, desserts and wines. For the first courses, try the tegole, torcettini - typical regional biscuits - and the blanc manger alla valdostana with cream; for the second courses, place of honour to all, such as the whites Muller-Thurgau and Pinot noir (vinified in white) and the reds Pinot noir, Gamay, Torrette, Nus Rouge. Had too much to eat? Here's a shot of Genepì, a digestive made from alpine herbs, artemisia.

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 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 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).

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.

The Prosecco hills between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, in the province of Treviso, represent an ancient world that has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019. Choosing the Prosecco Hills as a destination means admiring small vineyards on narrow grassy terraces called “ciglioni”, beautiful hill ridges, medieval villages and hamlets, forests and cultivations. A rugged but enchanting terrain, long shaped and adapted by man, who has nevertheless thoroughly respected its nature, resulting in a distinctive chequered landscape characterised by rows of vines parallel and vertical to the slope. A destination full of beauty and overwhelming flavours accompanied by good drink.

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.