Autumn

A small medieval village in the province of Viterbo Dating back to Etruscan times, as evidenced by tombs from the 8th century BC, the medieval village of Roccalvecce experienced its heyday between the 13th and 14th centuries, passing under the control of several powerful families in the area. Examples of this flourishing period include the Costaguti Castle, overlooking Piazza Umberto I: besides being one of the historic residences of the Lazio region, it is the most important monument in the village. Divided over three floors, the residence contains numerous rooms decorated with frescoes, stuccoes and many works of art dating back to the 17th and 19th centuries. At the foot of Roccalvecce, the 17th century garden of the Vignaccia is part of the castle complex and allows for short walks surrounded by flowers and plants, some of which are particularly rare. Wandering around the narrow streets of the village is a must-see experience. In fact, it is not difficult to find several vantage points overlooking the surrounding countryside of the province of Viterbo.

A hilltop village in the heart of the Castelli Romani, among history and nature On the outskirts of Rome, in the heart of the Castelli Romani Regional Park, the village of Rocca di Papa rises up over the surrounding area at a height of 680 metres above sea level, amid houses clinging to the rock, ancient churches and the impressive Cathedral. At the top of the town, you can admire the remains of the papal fortress, the first evidence of which dates back to 1181. Strolling through the town’s steep alleyways, be sure to visit the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, built in 1664, and the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Tufo. The area around Rocca di Papa also includes over 1,400 hectares of forest, which over the years have become an ideal place for hikers, mountain bikers and horse riders. This is due not only to the lush nature, but also to the archaeological sites of great importance dotted around the forest, including the ancient Roman Republic-era Via Sacra and the necropolis, with Bronze Age cave tombs. For an outdoor picnic or horse ride, you can head to the Pratoni del Vivaro, an endless green expanse just minutes from the centre of Rocca di Papa.

A profound harmony has always reigned between the village of Loano and the sea, linked by an endless interweaving that has accompanied the village since the dawn of time. In fact, its maritime tradition is strong, linking the growth of the town to the activities of shipyards, fishermen and sailors. Sea as history, therefore, but also as a natural resource of great importance, to be enhanced and protected. Loano safeguards its maritime environment thanks to an artificial reef, an important work at European level, which contributes to the development of ecological conditions that favour the repopulation of marine flora and fauna. Loano with its Marina, with its beaches, with its enchanting sunsets over the sea and with its shops offering typical products and local handicrafts. And a place of transit that is also a place of identity, is the port, which symbolically represents sea voyages, the life of fishermen, exchanges and intertwining. Everything on the sea, everything thanks to the sea.

Piedmont at a slow pace An infinite mosaic of landscapes, villages, traditions and flavours. To be discovered slowly, stage by stage along the Strada Romantica delle Langhe e del Roero, an exciting route that will allow you to explore one of Piedmont's most beautiful territories. Whether you are looking for the perfect solo trip or are with family or friends, this itinerary will surprise you. We set off from Vezza d'Alba, having recharged our batteries with traditional flavours and a glass of the finest wines. Magliano Alfieri, Neive, Treiso, Trezzo Tinella, Benevello, Sinio, Cissone, Murazzano, Mombarcaro, up to Camerana, the final stage of an approximately 130-kilometre journey. No need to rush and don't overlook the viewpoints dotted along the route. On top of a hill or on the summit of an ancient tower, surrounded by nature or among the alleys of a village with a medieval flavour: give yourself a break to get in touch with the spirit of this beautiful area.

Numana: between the blue sea and the Rosso Conero Numana is a colourful fishing village on the Conero Riviera with large, easily accessible beaches. This village is in the Marche region and in its lively historic centre there is a fascinating Antiquarium museum, which documents the very ancient origins of the Picentes settlements on this coast. Excursions by boat or canoe can be organised from the little port of Numana, while the green hills invite you to discover the hinterland along the Rosso Conero wine route with its thousand scents. What to see in Numana A stroll through Numana invites you to discover a pleasant historic centre that runs along the Costarella, a gentle flight of steps that connects the village on the slope to the beaches and the sea. At the top of the promontory, above the harbour, you will see the Arco di Torre, what remains of the bell tower of a church or watch tower destroyed in an earthquake in 1930, next to which is a bronze monument dedicated to fishermen. The belvedere is where you will want to go on summer days to enjoy the breeze that is always blowing there and the view of the coast. Not to be missed is a visit to the Antiquarium, a small museum documenting a major archaeological discovery: the trousseau of the Tomb of the Queen of Sirolo (6th century B.C.) found in Sirolo in the I Pini archaeological area. In the Sanctuary of the Crucifix, you can admire a cedar wood crucifix, a Byzantine work from the 13th century. Also of interest is the Town Hall, housed in a building dating from 1773, which was the summer residence of the bishops of Ancona. For beaches, you can choose between the two bays close to the cliff (the Spiaggiola and the Spiaggia dei Frati), or the large beach south of the harbour that extends to the hamlet of Marcelli, with bathing facilities and toilets for families. Numana’s turtle cove For several years, the municipality of Numana has been collaborating with the Riccione Cetacea Foundation to ensure the rescue, care and rehabilitation of sea turtles. A “turtle cove” has been created in Numana: once the turtles have recovered from injuries or accidents, they are placed in a fenced-off area in the sea near the harbour. Here they continue to be observed and monitored by marine biologists and volunteers to assess if and when they are finally fit to return to the sea. The moment of releasing them into the wild is always filled with emotion. The Rosso Conero wine route Numana is surrounded by vineyards which make good starting points for exploring the Rosso Conero wine route. This winds its way from Ancona to Osimo, between the towns of Numana, Sirolo, Camerano, Offagna and Castelfidardo, between the cliffs and the countryside. Here, some twenty wineries produce Rosso Conero DOC and Rosso Conero Riserva DOCG, wines made from Montepulciano and Sangiovese grapes that are influenced by the presence of the sea, the limestone soil of the promontory and the micro-climate of the coast. Full-bodied and fragrant, Rosso Conero wine is ideally paired with meat dishes. Find out more: www.turismonumana.it/en

Famous throughout the world for its sanctuary of the same name, Loreto lies at the centre of the Marche region, in the province of Ancona. It offers relaxation, traditions, art and flavours to travellers and pilgrims passing through. It does so thanks to the natural beauty found between the Conero Riviera and Leopardi's Colli dell'Infinito, passing through an unmissable crystal-clear sea. Loreto is considered, historically, a singular place: it is in fact a town created by the presence of a sanctuary, that of the Madonna di Loreto also known as Santa Casa, built between 1468 and 1587. But according to tradition, the history of the sanctuary began much earlier, on the night between 9 and 10 December 1294, when on the hill where the religious building would later be erected, the house that was said to have been inhabited by the family of the Virgin Mary in Nazareth and where Our Lady was supposed to have received the announcement of Jesus' birth was moved. The discovery of the village can commence by following the walls built by Leo X to protect the 'Villa di Santa Maria in Loreto' from the assault of the Turks. Passing along Via Sisto V, one can observe silverware, religious objects, ceramics and textile works that trace the ancient tradition of Loreto craftsmanship alongside the 'madonnari' who draw on the ground, while, once through Porta del Palazzo Apostolico or Porta Marina, one can go in search of the fountains that over the centuries have provided refreshment for pilgrims. The visit continues with the Belvedere or Piazzale Giovanni Paolo II, where you can admire the Musone Valley, the Rimembranza Park, Porta Romana, Piazza della Madonna, where all the main city monuments are located, and the Banderuola church, where tradition has it that the Holy House of the Madonna stopped before arriving on Monte Prodo. Devoted pilgrims should visit the Pontifical Holy House Museum, the Benedict XVI Permanent Crib, the Holy Staircase and the Polish Cemetery. Special mention goes to the Museo Storico dell'Aeronautica, a collection of hundreds of original pieces from the birth of the Regia Aeronautica to the present day. It is no coincidence that the Black Madonna of Loreto is the patron saint of aviators: in Loreto on the night between 9 and 10 December since 1617, the 'Venuta' is celebrated, characterised by the 'focaraccio', or lighting of fires to light the way for the Virgin in flight from Palestine to the lands of the Marche, and for this reason she is considered the patron saint of the Italian Air Force.

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.