Autumn

Formia is a small town that overlooks the sea and has preserved, over the centuries, its seafaring history and essence. A symbol of its past is the Castle, which has maintained the charm of the past despite having lost its defensive walls and most of its towers. The neighbourhood around the ruins of the Roman theatre built in the 1st century B.C. is also very particular: in this place full of memories and stories, private homes now stand, and the daily routine of laundry hung out in the sun is intertwined with the atmosphere of a distant time. The bond that unites the city with the sea, on the other hand, can be found in the area of the small port, full of life and activity: here the bustle of fishermen and the calls of seagulls are a perpetual tale of the sea and its power, accompanied by the lapping of the waves and the scent of saltiness.

Terracina is an ancient village,which rises high above the sea, on the route of the Southern Via Francigena. It welcomes you with its ancient, maritime atmosphere, with its warm hospitality and its cuisine that makes you fall in love. Just walk up to the central square and you will immediately see the two symbols of the town: the sea, immense and shining, and the Temple of Jupiter Anxur, part of a monumental complex that formed the acropolis, located on Monte Sant'Angelo. From here the view is spectacular, caressing the gulf, the Pontine islands, and sometimes as far as Ischia and Capri. Around all this, the force of the sea, which can be breathed in through the alleys, fills the air and insinuates itself into every detail, as in the decorations of the church of San Cesareo: here the mosaic on the portico depicts an ancient seafaring theme and perhaps recounts the crusaders' voyage over the immense sea. Or maybe it tells of today, of life in front of the endless waves.

Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club A hamlet of the municipality of Priverno, Fossanova is an enchanting medieval village, enclosed in the evocative setting of the famous Cistercian abbey of Santa Maria. The abbey, founded by the Benedictines in the 9th century, has a characteristic three-nave plan on pillars, with a transept and rectangular choir. The right side of the church gives access to the cloister, the refectory and the chapter house, all of which are rich in fascinating architectural elements. Thomas Aquinas died at the Abbot's house in 1274. In the village, made up of ancient buildings in the local limestone, there is also the ,Medieval Museum set up in the ancient Cistercian guesthouse, where you can relive the life of the time through materials from excavations conducted in the area. Among the many typical products to be tasted are dairy products derived from buffalo, such as mozzarella (made exclusively from whole milk to which only rennet and salt is added), ricotta, caciotta, primo sale and meat and sausages, such as stews, hams and sausages Not to be missed, in August, is the Medieval Festival, a historical re-enactment of period traditions and dances accompanied by ancient flavours.

Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club On a hill overlooking the Agro Pontino, Sermoneta is a village a few kilometres from the Via Appia. A medieval town but with a prehistoric settlement, it is surrounded by mighty walls and rich in history and culture. Worth visiting are the Caetani Castle, dating back to the early 13th century and built by the Annibali family, majestically dominating the Pontine Plain; the Valvisciolo Abbey, which Greek monks founded in the 8th century and was later rebuilt by the Templars in the 13th century; the Cathedral of Santa Maria, the Church of St Joseph, patron saint of the village, and the Church of St Michael Archangel.

Cori is a small hillside village in the province of Latina nestled on the slopes of the Lepini mountains. This territory, already inhabited in archaic times by Latin people, was soon conquered by the Romans, who left precious evidence of their passage here. A stop at the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Carmine, one of the highest points of the town, gives us a wonderful view of the city. The ancient and characteristic historical centre of Cori can be divided into two parts: Cori Monte and Cori Valle, each with its own charm. Cori Monte welcomes us with the soaring bell tower of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul. The settlement, typically medieval, spreads between alleys and palaces. Famous is the fountain in Piazza Monte Pio where it is said that Frederick Barbarossa took a regenerating bath after looting the city. Not far away, we find the ancient structure of the Temple of Hercules, which, due to its position, offers unmissable views, especially at sunset, of the Pontine Plain. Continuing our walk through the alleys and the historical centre of Cori, we are amazed by the 'Mura ciclopiche' or 'opera poligonale' walls found at various points in the village, by the church of St Oliva, with its chapel of the Holy Crucifix, designed on the model of the Sistine Chapel in Rome, and by the unmissable Oratory of SS. Annunziata, with its stupendous medieval frescoes. Among the narrow streets of Cori Valle, the temple of Castor and Pollux or temple of Dioscuri, dating from the first decade of the 1st century BC, is certainly worth a stop. Of it, only the two central Corinthian columns are preserved, of the original six that decorated the temple's pronaos. Once, inside the central cell, there were statues of the Dioscuri, which, according to reconstructions, must have been of imposing dimensions: Castor and Pollux appeared armed and held 1.70 metre high horses at the bridle. The architectural and sculptural fragments from this area are today preserved and exhibited at the Museum of the City and Territory of Cori, where a 1:75 scale model of the temple can be admired. We cannot leave Cori without trying its gastronomic specialities (such as its bread, the 'pizzette coresi' with tomato sauce, or, for those with a sweet tooth, the tasty typical sweets), perhaps accompanied by the excellent Cori Doc wines.

That Castel Gandolfo belongs to the Castelli Romani is not surprising either in terms of the sound of the words or of geography, around the Colli Albani immediately south-east of the capital. More than a real town, it is a late-mediaeval village, according to some located on the site of the ancient Alba Longa, and famous for the area outside the territory - i.e., strictly speaking, not belonging to the Italian Republic - where the popes of the Catholic Church still live during the summer. Craft shops and bars that open outdoor tables in fine weather line the Corso leading up to the Piazza della Libertà, a Baroque-style widening with the Fountain and Collegiata di S. Tommaso da Villanova, both the work of Baroque architect and sculptor prince Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The church has impressive stucco work on the high altar and dome, and a Crucifixion by Pietro da Cortona. The square is closed at the end by the papal palace, which started construction in the 1720s by Carlo Maderno, but was later extended several times. The palace is connected to the Papal Villa that had once belonged to the Barberini family and its park, which extends towards Albano Laziale including the remains of a villa of the Emperor Domitian. The two domes of the Vatican Specola, the astronomical observatory moved here in the 1980s to escape the light pollution of Rome, but then for the same reason moved in the later 1980s to Tucson, in Arizona, USA, can be seen on the roof of the palace. Streets built by the Popes descend through greenery towards Lake Albano.

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.

On Saturday, 27 June 2026, the ancient stones and scenic alleys of Fiumefreddo Bruzio (Province of Cosenza) will once again shine under the stars for the latest edition of Calici in Borgo, the event that celebrates the excellence of Calabrian wines and the most authentic flavours of local tradition. Following the great success of the first edition, the village – which has been awarded the title of one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy – will once again become the setting for a captivating multisensory experience: a journey through over 50 fine wine labels, local specialities and live entertainment, all against the backdrop of the timeless beauty of a historic centre overlooking the sea. Calici in Borgo is the perfect opportunity to discover Fiumefreddo Bruzio and let yourself be carried away by an evening of flavour, culture and togetherness. This is an event not to be missed for anyone who loves small villages, great experiences and the authentic flavours of Calabria.

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, 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?