Autumn

On a ridge of the western slope of the Maiella, at an altitude of 650 metres, you enter the fortified village, which houses religious monuments such as the Romanesque Church of San Tommaso Apostolo and the Gothic church of Santa Maria Maggiore (with its ornate doorway), as well as elegant residences, carved gateways, fountains, flower-decked balconies and garden spaces. From the village, descending towards the valley, there are other smaller but nonetheless impressive churches such as San Domenico, with a pointed-arch doorway in its façade, and San Nicola, with a majestic entrance featuring two rows of columns with botanical motifs. Just beyond the Church of San Nicola, you come to the Fountain of San Leonardo, with three beautiful 18th-century mascarons. Since the 16th century, Caramanico has also been a spa town renowned for its sulphurous waters, rich in bromine and iodine salts. A thermal spa has been in operation since the early 20th century and has been very popular with tourists since the 1960s. Not far from the spa is the State Forestry Corps visitor centre, which provides information on the Valle dell'Orfento Nature Reserve and the Maiella Park.

Molveno is a historic holiday resort, located on the northern shore of the lake of the same name, with the Brenta Dolomites as a luxurious setting. For the sum of its resources and the efficiency of visitor services, Molveno has obtained the recognition of the Orange Flag, with which the Touring Club indicates the most valid among the minor tourist resorts. The small municipality, with just over 1,000 residents, has a long history: the area was inhabited as far back as the Neolithic period, the Romans established their own settlement here, but it was in the Middle Ages that it took on a certain importance. At that time there was a Castle of Molveno, belonging to the Counts of Flavòn, which was demolished at the end of the 14th century. On the other hand, the jewel that is the church of St Vigilio, dating back to the thirteenth century, survives at the cemetery. Molveno preserves some medieval parts in the portico of the so-called Casa del Dazio, as well as the Baroque Palazzo Saracini. During your stay, you should take into account: a walk around the lake, with the many activities you can do on its shores, and towards the suggestive Valle delle Seghe; a visit to the ancient Venetian sawmill Taialacqua; hiking on the paths within reach of the Molveno Pradel and Andalo ski lifts to Cima Paganella. The village is also a real paradise for families: children can have fun in the well-equipped areas of the lake, at the Forest Park of Molveno, with a walk on the Sciury path or the Pumptrack.

This is one of the most beautiful castles in the world, and has become a natural film set Rocca Calascio is the highest castle in the Apennines and one of the highest fortifications in Italy. At 1,500 metres, the fortress towers above a small village called Calascio. This is in Abruzzo, in the Gran Sasso-Laga National Park to be precise. The structure, made of very white stone and with a square layout, has become known to most as a popular film set. Ladyhawke, The Name of the Rose and The American, among others, were filmed here. The whole area has a special charm; the perimeter stretching from Rocca Calascio to Santo Stefano di Sessanio has been elected 'set par excellence' by the international film industry, and the reasons for this will become clear to you as soon as you arrive. The castle of Rocca Calascio can be visited free of charge every day from 9 a.m. until sunset. It can be reached by car up to the entrance of the village, but it’s advisable to park in the dedicated spaces along the road and then continue by shuttle bus or on foot along a dirt path. If you want to explore the area and feel like actors in a Hollywood movie, walk the section from Santo Stefano di Sessanio to Rocca Calascio. Your eyes, legs and spirit will all benefit.

Included in the territory of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park, Castel del Monte is a place that has always enchanted with the beauty and majesty of the landscape that surrounds it, making it a popular destination for those in search of the most authentic and unspoiled nature. A village with a medieval soul and urban planning, which is still told above all in the typical tower-houses, the village has always been a symbol of transhumance. The production of the famous local Canestrato cheese is linked to this ancient practice. Its rind shows the imprints of the basket in which it is ripened, its flavour is intense and reminiscent of the scents of meadows, leaving room at the end for a slight sweetness. Canestrato has the flavour of an ancient history, tasting it means taking part in it and preserving its memory.

Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club Formerly known by the Etruscan name of Velathri, today Volterra stands on top of a hill, threatened by the chasm of the Balze. Around the V-IV century BC the village lived an exceptional period, documented among other things by the collection of cinerary urns (famous for that of the Bride and Groom) and by the bronze "Shadow of the Evening" kept at the Guarnacci Museum. It is worth visiting the Cathedral, dating from 1120 and later renovated in typical Pisan Romanesque style, the octagonal Baptistery, the square overlooked by the Palazzo dei Priori, the Etruscan Porta all'Arco, the Roman theatre, the Civic Art Gallery with Rosso Fiorentino's Deposition, and the frescoed Gothic chapel of the Croce di Giorno in San Francesco. Also noteworthy is the eco-museum dedicated toalabaster, one of the resources of the city and its artisans.

A hilltop village, located between the valleys of the Menocchia torrent and the Tesino river, Ripatransone offers its inhabitants and visitors a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape, so much so that it is known as the 'belvedere of the Piceno'. It is a town that knows how to amaze, Ripatransone, with its walls and buildings of medieval, renaissance and baroque styles. The most curious feature, however, is the 'narrowest alley in Italy', so small that it does not even have a name! Although this alley meets all the criteria for being considered an alley - that is, it is paved, passable and has at least one window or door facing it - it is only 43 centimetres wide... a real fairytale alley!

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.

Following last year’s success, Best Wine Stars is back. This tasting event will once again provide the city of Milan with exciting opportunities for in-depth exploration for experts and enthusiasts in the wine and spirits sector. The majestic Palazzo del Ghiaccio, a splendid Art Nouveau building, will host the over 200 selected wineries for three consecutive days, allowing visitors to enjoy an exclusive experience, discovering new market trends, social media strategies and emerging technologies. It is an unmissable opportunity for total immersion in the culture of wine and spirits, thanks to the history and uniqueness of every individual product. Brand-new for this edition will be the organic area, where visitors will be able to taste excellent organic and natural wines. As in previous editions, the Best Wine Stars Awards will be presented, which are renowned prizes awarded to the winning companies.

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).

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.

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 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.