Autumn

Between history and nature, in the heart of Canavese Ivrea lies along the Dorea Baltea and is considered the centre of Canavese. The village is located 50 kilometres from Turin, along the road leading to Valle D'Aosta, on the ancient Via Francigena. In the old town, where the traditional “Battle of the Oranges” is held every year at Carnival, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, built on the remains of a Roman temple, is worth a visit. A few steps away is the Bishop's Palace and the medieval tower known as the “Torrione del Vescovo”. Not to be missed is Ivrea Castle, a fortress built by Amedeo VI of Savoy in the 15th century, now an exhibition venue. Inextricably linked with the history of Olivetti, the city hosts the Laboratorio-Museo Tecnologic@mente where many specimens of calculators, typewriters and personal computers are on display. A ten-minute drive away is the forested area of the Five Lakes. The best known is the swimmable Lake Sirio. A network of paths connects it to the other lakes: Lake Nero, Lake Cascinette, Lake San Michele and Lake Pistono. Where Lake Coniglio once stood arethe so-called Terre Ballerine-Dancing Lands, so called because as you walk through them, the pressure of the footsteps makes the shrubs that grow there tremble. Lastly, we recommend the 16th-century Masino Castle, now a FAI property, surrounded by an immense park where the historic “Three Days for the Garden” horticultural exhibition-market is held twice a year.

Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club Mount Cornacchia, the highest peak in Puglia, dominates Biccari, located among the Daunian Mountains in the Capitanata region. The natural environment is one of the main reasons to visit the town: the natural area around Lake Pescara, rich in forests and with picnic areas and kiosks for tasting local products, is the perfect destination for nature lovers. It offers numerous experiences and activities such as the Adventure Park (the largest in the region), the educational forest, the Frassati Trail, the treehouse village, and alternative accommodations like the Atomo and Bubble Room, where you can sleep in the forest or in the trees. Additionally, there is the giant bench located at the highest panoramic point of Capitanata. The historic center begins at Piazza Matteotti with its monumental fountain and then develops into a network of lively alleys and squares. Notable landmarks within the center include the Civic Tower and the Cathedral. Among the typical local products, the most representative is the pizze a furne apierte, so-called because, traditionally, old bakers used empirical methods to test the optimal temperature for baking. Also worth trying are the extra virgin olive oil, sweet with a slightly spicy aftertaste, the U’ Mascijuottele cheese, and the black pig sausage. The Biccari community is very active in preserving and promoting the traditions and uniqueness of the area. They come together to celebrate the patron saint, San Donato, on August 7th, with a large fair, a solemn procession, concerts, and fireworks. In August, the Borgo Vecchio is also celebrated, an enogastronomic route through the alleys of the medieval town, with traditional songs and dances, and the Zingarìa Folk Festival, which features stages, workshops, and folk dance concerts.

Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club At the foot of the Gran Paradiso National Park, Introd is a village inhabited since the Neolithic era and is strategically located in relation to the main ski resorts and tourist destinations in the region. It also offers an excellent network of trails and paths for trekking, mountain biking, and some routes suitable for snowshoeing. Don't miss the Parc Animalier d'Introd, a wildlife park where you can observe and learn about the most typical animals of the Aosta Valley alpine environment and local flora, the castle, dating back to the 13th century, with nearby granaries, the Chapel of the Holy Shroud (hosting exhibitions, especially in summer), and the Ola (a very old and unique building used as a stable, barn, and hayloft by the Lords of Introd. The name "Ola" in Patois refers to the roof that covers only one side, resembling a wing). Singular and interesting is the Maison Bruil, an ancient rural house that combines several functions: today, it is the Maison de l'alimentation, an exhibition aimed at introducing traditional products and the evolution of preservation techniques over the centuries, and the Atelier du Goût, a showcase where visitors can explore the territory and its products in a mindful way, with tastings and a sales space for local Aosta Valley specialties. Also worth visiting are the church with its 26-meter bell tower, the Plan d’Introd and Les Villess-Dessus dairies, which house the museum of traditional milk processing techniques and a recreational/educational center dedicated to the discovery of the traditional dairy chain. At the table, typical offerings include black bread made of wheat and rye, sometimes enriched with chestnuts, cumin, and dried fruit (celebrated with a festival in August), to be paired with wines, especially Pinot Gris from the Lo Triolet winery, which welcomes visitors with various tasting offers. Traditional crafts include the production and processing of wooden objects, while the locals also preserve the linguistic tradition of Patois, a Franco-Provençal language spoken in the three Alpine regions at the foot of Mont Blanc. Among the events, we highlight the Nuit Des Temps, a historical and cultural reenactment in October, and the Festival of the Introd Castle, featuring performances, concerts, and workshops in August.

Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club Located about half an hour from Nuoro, the village of Gavoi is situated on the slopes of a wooded basin. Worth a visit are the Parish Church of San Gavino, built in the late Gothic style, featuring a trachyte stone rose window and a bell tower with three tiers of arches and windows, as well as the Church of Sant’Antioco, located at the upper part of the village. Along Via Roma, you will also find Palazzo Satta, a well-preserved example of a Barbagia manor house, rich in furnishings and art objects. At the table, it is impossible not to taste the Pecorino Fiore Sardo cheese, while among the most significant events are the religious ones, which involve the entire population with vestments and lights. A special mention goes to the festival held on the last Sunday of July at the Sanctuary of Madonna d’Itria, during which the cumbessias (small huts for pilgrims) are once again used throughout the celebration period.

Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club The symbol of Sant'Agata Feltria – especially noticeable at first sight – is the Rocca Fregoso, an extraordinary palimpsest of castle architecture from the Middle Ages to the 17th century. It has suffered damage and collapses over the centuries but has also been recently renovated for conservation purposes. A pedagogist from the University of Bologna successfully proposed adapting the building into the “Rocca delle Fiabe” (Castle of Fairy Tales), featuring four exhibitions that are distinctly museum-like yet without the risk of boredom. These exhibits explore the role of shoes in fairy tales, the journeys of travelers in search of discoveries, the solitude of patriarchal rulers, and the children who risk getting lost in the forest. Every December, on the public holidays leading up to the 25th, Sant'Agata hosts the national fair "Il Paese del Natale" (The Village of Christmas), a renowned event among the winter gatherings of central Italy for enthusiasts of Christmas markets. It attracts thousands of visitors and showcases gift ideas, artisanal crafts, and decorations in an atmosphere that evokes tradition. The cheese of the pit and white truffle, along with their annual National Autumn Exhibition, work alongside the local merits in tourism and environmental management, making Sant'Agata one of the locations awarded the Bandiera Arancione (Orange Flag) by the Touring Club Italiano for quality.

Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club The village of Oliena is located in Barbagia, in a region often referred to as the "Sardinian Dolomites" because of its white rocks and sheer cliffs that resemble those of northern Italy. Oliena is surrounded by mountains, with the Supramonte mountain range and Mount Corrasi, a symbol of the village, making it an ideal location for hikers and spelunkers. The historic center is characteristic and interesting, with narrow alleys lined with white houses featuring small courtyards, external stairs, pergolas, and arches. A notable feature of the village is also the large number of churches (11) within the town, including the Parish Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the 15th-17th century Santa Croce Church, the former parish church of Santa Maria, and the Chapel of St. Francis, from where the statue of Christ departs on Easter for the famous Incontru procession, one of the most beautiful on the island. Oliena is also renowned for its artistic craftsmanship, including filigree jewelry for embroidered silk shawls, shoes from Franco Corrias' workshop, and artistic ceramics from Francesca Deledda's workshop. On the dining table, famous are its wines, including Nepente, as well as traditional cheeses and desserts of Sardinian tradition.

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.