Autumn

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!

It looks like a jewel enclosed within powerful walls, the village of Offida, which stands on a rocky spur carved out by the two branches of the Lama stream. Its past is still very present in the town's architecture, particularly in the medieval walls with their towers: of the fortress, however, only a section of wall and two cylindrical towers remain, residual traces of an ancient history. The soul of the village, however, is enclosed in a fascinating craft tradition, that of bobbin lace: a true art, bobbin lace in the village is dedicated to a museum, with a route designed for the visually impaired, located in the ancient De Castellotti - Paganelli palace, where the 'G. Allevi' archaeological museum, the 'Tradizioni Popolari' and the municipal art gallery are also located. Not to be missed is Santa Maria della Rocca, a Romanesque-Gothic temple standing on a cliff, inside which frescoes attributed to Vincenzo Pagani can be admired.

What is generally valid for the entire Prosecco Superiore DOCG production area, with regard to its picturesque landscapes and the infinite geometries of its vineyards, is even more valid for the immediate surroundings of Valdobbiadene. Here, the density of hectares cultivated with vines reaches its maximum, and the horizon follows the sinuous and suggestive line of the steep hilly reliefs and pointed bell towers that indicate the presence of ancient villages. A specific cultivated area of about 100 hectares, around San Pietro di Barbozza and San Stefano, small villages in the municipality of Valdobbiadene, stands out from the others for the quality of the Prosecco produced. It is called Cartizze DOCG and is famous the world over for its sparkling wine, obtained from the local Glera vine, which, thanks to the favourable combination of sun, winds and clayey soil of these lands, produces aromas and flavours of great freshness. In Valdobbiadene, even in the historic centre, wine is key: the lush gardens and the sumptuous Art Nouveau salons of the Villa dei Cedri host some oenology exhibitions, dedicated to sparkling wine. For some Venetian art, you should actually head to the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. The neoclassical architecture of the exterior does not readily suggest that, inside, some highly valuable Renaissance paintings are kept, made by artists of the Venetian school, such as Francesco Beccaruzzi, Paris Bordon, and Palma il Giovane.

Together with Valdobbiadene, Conegliano is the best-known region in theProsecco Superiore DOCG area. It is no coincidence that the cultural landscape recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2019 is called the "Prosecco Hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene". The surroundings of Valdobbiadene reveal a territory particularly rich in vineyards, while Conegliano has been an undisputed regional reference point for the teaching of oenology since 1876, when aviticultural school was opened in the city. It is now the Cerletti Institute, a training centre specialised in oenology and agriculture. Lovers of art and history will find plenty in Conegliano to surprise and excite them: firstly, among the rooms of the city's civic museum, housed in a tall medieval tower at the top of the Janus hill, or visiting thehouse museum of the famous Renaissance painter Giovanni Battista Cima, or else strolling through Contrada Grande, beneath aristocratic palazzi in typical Veneto style. Finally, the main monument in Conegliano is the Cathedral of San Leonardo, whose structure remains covered by the beautifully decorated façade of the Sala dei Battuti (Hall of the Battuti), a congregation that was very active in the city in the late medieval era.

Suvereto, formerly known as Castello di Sughereto, stands on a hill in the Cornia Valley, a short distance from the Etruscan Coast. The typical mediaeval village is distinguished by its well-kept historical centre, well-preserved walls and a distinct wine and food vocation. At the entrance to the village, right in front of the mediaeval gate, stands the beautiful church of S. Giusto, while inside, in the maze of alleys and staircases, remarkable examples of architecture are preserved, such as the 13th-century town hall, with its corner loggia and crenellated tower, and the 13th-century cloister of St. Francis, also from the 13th century, now transformed into the Piazza della Cisterna. Dominating Suvereto is the Rocca Aldobrandesca, built in the 12th century on top of the headland on which the village stands. Outside the walls, the greenery takes over amidst Mediterranean scrub and woods of chestnuts, oaks and cork oaks, from which the village takes its name. The dense wooded areas are home to a wealth of wildlife, the most important of which is the wild boar, the protagonist of the festival held between November and December, which has been one of the most heartfelt and popular events in the area for over 50 years. As well as hunting, the area is known for its excellent production of oil and wines that have their own DOCG.

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.