Autumn

On the slopes of the austere Mount Morrone, Pacentro is a picturesque village, very scenic and filled with artistic testimonies. A stroll through its quiet cobbled lanes, your gaze is drawn to the three towers of Cantelmo Castle (14th century), one of the most striking in the region, overlooking the entire Peligna basin. Among its many churches, note the 15th-16th century S. Maria Maggiore, with its beautiful stone façade and Baroque pulpit, decorated by renowned Abruzzi carvers, the older S. Marcello (11th-12th century) and the Church of the Immaculate Conception (1589), with a cloister decorated with 17th century frescoes. Evidence of rural life in the past are the 17th-century fountain in the square and the public stone washhouse.

Zuccarello was founded by the Clavesana family in 1248, who made the castle overlooking the feudal centre of the valley; then the Del Carretto family took over and, in 1625, the Republic of Genoa. A small, partly walled village, once protected by the castle, the walls and the rocky bank of the Neva. It has a single narrow main street flanked by porticoes with arches and pillars in the Ligurian-Piedmontese style, softened by trompe l'oeil paintings and linking the two turreted gates to which the curtain walls descending from the hill of the castle were connected. The Roman bridge (in reality mediaeval, as can be deduced from the hump-backed architecture) is impressive. The parish church of St Bartholomew with an ancient bell tower with double and triple lancet windows in local stone is also mediaeval. On the inside is a painting by Orazio De Ferrari from the first half of the 17th century ("Madonna with Child and Saints", first half of the 17th century) and a 19th-century processional chest. Zuccarello , however, also has a somewhat romantic background that is linked to the story of Ilaria Del Carretto, who was born here, grew up in the halls of Zuccarello Castle (now in ruins) and then married Paolo Giunigi, a lord of Lucca, where Ilaria moved and died in childbirth prematurely. Today Ilaria is honoured in the well-known sculpture by Jacopo Della Quercia at the Cathedral of Lucca.

Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club Castelvecchio di Rocca Barbena is the oldest feudal village in the Neva Valley. It is built on a rocky outcrop with a panoramic view. As you pass below the ogival arch, you step into a world that has remained virtually unchanged since the Middle Ages. A dense network of narrow streets and winding alleyways leads to the castle: built around the 11th century, first a stronghold of the Clavesana family, later it belonged to the Del Carretto family and was an ancient military fortress. Thanks to its panoramic position, you can enjoy a view of the valley below, and the rows of houses in the typical Ligurian style. From 1300, the town was the domain of the Del Carretto family, before it came under the rule of the Republic of Genoa in the 17th century.

Castel Rigone, the highest point on Lake Trasimeno If you are looking for the most amazing view of Lago di Trasimeno "a veil of water stretched out over a meadow", as art historian Cesare Brandi put it, then climb to the highest point of the lake, Castel Rigone. Found in the hamlet of Passignano, 650 metres away, in a charming medieval village. One of Umbria's Renaissance masterpieces, the Sanctuary of Maria Santissima dei Miracoli, has been a place of popular devotion for centuries and is preserved within its walls. Nowadays, it draws those who prefer an idyllic countryside. The village of miracles Castel Rigone is believed to have been founded by a commander of the Ostrogoths, Arrigo, in the year 543, as an outpost for the siege of Perugia. To this day, a festival of the Barbarians is celebrated in the village to commemorate the Ostrogothic foundation. The present-day village dates from the Middle Ages and remains nearly intact. Over recent decades, many of its buildings have been transformed into holiday homes. Founded by the people of Perugia during the 1494 outbreak of plague, the Sanctuary was inspired by that of Madonna del Calcinaio in Cortona. With its many agritourism sites, Castel Rigone is a destination for those who appreciate local products, from the oil and wine of the Trasimeno hills to the specialties of lake fish and the Trasimeno bean. Within easy reach is Magione, a village guarded by the castle that still belongs to the Knights of Malta, with the church of San Giovanni Battista, decorated with frescoes by the Perugian futurist painter Gerardo Dottori.

Orta San Giulio "Orta, a watercolour of God, seems painted on a silk background, with its Sacro Monte behind it, its noble ramala flanked by closed palazzi, the silent piazza with its compact façades behind the foliage of the horse chestnuts, and in front of it the island of San Giulio, similar to Dante´s Purgatory, hesitating between water and sky"; this is how the writer Pietro Chiara describes Orta, and this is how it will appear to us on arrival, with its narrow alleys, old shops and wrought-iron balconies, suspended between the green of the mountains and the blue of the lake. Set like a jewel among the clear waters, then stands the Island of San Giulio, a veritable open-air museum to be explored to discover its artistic and environmental beauty, but also just to be enraptured by its gentle atmosphere, especially in the warm light of sunset, when everything becomes magical.

Polesine Zibello, the town with many faces: landscape, history and food This town was only recently born out of the amalgamation of Polesine Parmense and Zibello, along the charming banks of the great river Po, in the Emilia Romagna area of the Po Valley near to Parma. These two areas, now merged into one, reveal spectacular scenery, fascinating history and excellent local delicacies. The “liquid” lands of Polesine Vibrant vegetation, slow-running canals and old farmhouses. The typical Po Valley landscape boasts plenty of charm in every season: from the green of summer to the warm colours of autumn to the white winter mists. Here, where peace reigns, you can let yourself be lulled sweetly by the hypnotic movement of the water. We find ourselves on what were once small islands, known as “polesini”, which fused with the mainland following floods. Since the land is very flat, we recommend a peaceful stroll or bicycle ride, exploring your surroundings. Unmissable sites in Polesine Zibello The first place to visit is undoubtedly Palazzo Pallavicino. Located in the central square, this 15th-century architectural gem is occupied by offices and institutions, so you can only admire its façade. You can fully capture its spirit by walking through the beautiful loggia below, home, as in the past, to small shops. It is worth stopping for lunch or a coffee at one of the cafés with outdoor seating. Be sure to visit the churches scattered around the village, especially the Gothic-Lombard Parish Church dedicated to Saints Gervaso and Protaso and the Sanctuary of the Beata Vergine delle Grazie, the oldest monument. The Museum of Rural Civilisation On the ground floor of the former Convent of the Dominican Friars, a wing has been restored and converted into the “Giuseppe Riccardi” Museum of Rural Civilisation. Agriculture, good food and wise peasant culture are the cornerstones of this area: the museum exhibits this ancient knowledge through everyday objects of countryside life from the late 19th to the 20th century, including furnishings from kitchens and old cellars. At the end of the route, you can see a traditional Po Valley boat made in Zibello itself. Inimitable products and a unique location: the Antica Corte Pallavicina Our trip wouldn’t be complete without trying some Culatello di Zibello, a cured meat that finds the ideal climatic curing conditions on the banks of the Po. And the only PDO so far is right here in Zibello. The right way to enjoy it is in thin, hand-cut slices, accompanied by good bread or focaccia, or ripe figs when they are in season. Another giant of flavour is Parmigiano Reggiano, which you will find in the filling of ravioli and agnolotti, or you can enjoy in its exquisite simplicity. In this flat strip of Italy, every restaurant will spoil you for choice. After exploring a few, you can end on a high note by heading to a special place, a guardian of history and culinary art: the Antica Corte Pallavicina. This magnificent castle on the river Po belongs to the Castelli del Ducato circuit, which houses a relais with 11 rooms and the Michelin-starred restaurant of the Spigaroli brothers, heirs of a family of sharecroppers on the Piatador farm that once belonged to the great composer Giuseppe Verdi, who was born in this area. For a fee, you can visit the manor and explore the Culatello Museum, full of historical documents and fascinating exhibits. We recommend the complete tour of the courtyard with the kitchen garden, the ancient kitchen and the frescoed rooms of what was the residence of the Pallavicino marquises from the 13th to the 19th century. Visitors can also explore Po Forest, a trail through the vegetation of Golena del Po, the family's pig farm and the farm. Finally, you can treat your taste buds with informal tastings at the Hosteria, which offers platters starring Culatello and Parmigiano Reggiano, followed by dishes such as tortelli di erbetta and stracotto di bue with polenta; or you can enjoy the royal treatment by booking a table at the Michelin-starred restaurant. Accompanied by the lapping of the water below, with panoramic views from the large windows, you will be serenaded by a parade of premium cured Culatelli, ravioletti di gallina and many other delicacies: the best of the territory in the skilful hands of chef Massimo Spigaroli. The best time to visit If you happen to be in Polesine Zibello in November, November Porc awaits, with a jam-packed calendar of gastronomic events around Polesine.

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.