Discover olive oil tourism on autumn weekends in Umbria with Frantoi Aperti from 17 October to 15 November.  

Five autumn weekends of celebrations

Umbria becomes a symbol of olive oil tourism with Frantoi Aperti in Umbria from 17 October to 15 November. Five weekends celebrating the olive harvest and pressing season, weaving together with the region's agricultural production, landscapes, culture, spirituality, sport and hospitality. Frantoi Aperti in Umbria offers the chance to get to know the Umbrian region up close, through one of Italy's oldest and most distinctive products and production methods, by taking part in authentic experiences at the very places where olive oil is produced, from the harvesting to tasting the oil. Alongside the production process there will be a programme of artistic, cultural and nature-based events in olive groves, historic villages to explore the region’s finest food and drink specialities.

Motorcycle trails and oil tastings

The 29th edition of Frantoi Aperti in Umbria brings with it a number of new features. Making its debut this year is the Moto Giro dei Frantoi Aperti in Umbria, aimed at motorcyclists which, over three weekends, will offer different routes through olive groves and historic villages, and stopping at olive oil mills for oil tastings. On Sunday 18 October, the first Frantoi Aperti Trail Run will be run along dirt tracks through Umbrian olive groves. 

ph credits Pier Paolo Metelli

Festivals celebrating new olive oil

The olive mills in operation will be the beating heart of the event. Here, visitors will be able to watch the olives being pressed, learn about the production processes for new olive oil, take part in guided tastings and discover the region through the flavours of Umbrian extra virgin olive oil. There will also be treks, nature walks, cycle tours, family activities and workshops dedicated to olive oil culture. Shuttle buses, guided walking tours and e-bike excursions will link the olive groves to villages and art cities which will host festivals celebrating new olive oil, markets with local producers and artisans, guided tours and tastings in town squares.

ph credits Pier Paolo Metelli 

A cycle ride from Assisi to Spoleto

To mark the 800th anniversary of St Francis, the “EVO&Art Experience” tours will take participants on guided itineraries through the sub-zones of the Umbria PDO, weaving together the culture of extra virgin olive oil with art, biodiversity and the region’s most iconic Franciscan sites. On 18 October, the Grande Pedalata cycle ride along the Assisi–Spoleto Olive Belt will also return for the fourth year running. Starting from Spoleto and finishing in Campello sul Clitunno, the cycle route will pass through one of central Italy’s most iconic rural landscapes which is a Historic Rural Landscape listed in FAO’s Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems and a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage status.

courtesy of Frantoi Aperti

Special menus showcasing olive oils

All this will be complemented by exceptional food over the course of five weekends, with chefs from the “Umbrian #EVOOAmbassador – Testimoni di oli unici” network presenting special menus designed to showcase the extra virgin olive oils of the producers taking part in the event. For information www.frantoiaperti.net

Wineries in Friuli Venezia Giulia are opening their doors for educational wine-harvesting tours.

Experiences tailored to wine enthusiasts and experts

A number of wineries in Friuli Venezia Giulia, members of the Strada del Vino e dei Sapori (Wine and fravours Trail), are offering engaging and immersive experiences tailored to wine enthusiasts, experts and families. The grape harvest season thus becomes an opportunity to take part first-hand in the grape harvest and learn about the techniques used by the various participating producers, who will guide guests through the different stages of the harvest.

Join a grape-pickers' lunch

The educational and tourist-oriented grape harvest offers activities suited to a range of interests, from more technical insights into production methods to guided tastings of selected wines, while families can enjoy simple and engaging activities designed with even the youngest children in mind. Some wineries also offer the chance to share the traditional grape-pickers’ lunch or enjoy an evening meal featuring selected wines paired with local specialties. To take part, you can book directly with the participating wineries listed on this website


ph credits Fabrice Gallina - courtesy of PromoTurismoFVG

Morning grape-harvesting experiences

The DOC Friuli Colli Orientali covers an area comprising nineteen municipalities in the central-eastern part of the province of Udine near the border with Slovenia. In Manzano, Colutta offers a morning grape-harvesting experience organized on request and timed to coincide with the optimal ripeness of the grapes. The day continues at the winery with an introduction to the early stages of winemaking and concludes with a tasting of the estate’s wines accompanied by typical local produce. For bookings 

Picnic lunches and wine-tasting dinners

Conte d’Attimis-Maniago, in Buttrio, is offering a tour of its historic vineyards from 28 August to 30 September, accompanied by a narrative of centuries of winemaking tradition. A wine tasting is scheduled in the 16th-century underground cellar, and the experience can be enhanced with an off-road tour through the vineyards or a picnic in the orchard. For information.

On the third and fourth weekends of September, Le Due Torri will welcome visitors wishing to take part in the grape harvest, visit the winery to learn about the early stages of winemaking, and enjoy a dinner with wine tasting. For younger visitors, there will also be the traditional barefoot grape treading. For information.

Horse-drawn carriage rides

On 12, 19 and 26 September in Grupignano, Cividale del Friuli, Elio Vini will welcome participants with a presentation of the winery, followed by the grape harvest. The day will conclude with a convivial gathering dedicated to wine tasting, accompanied by local cured meats and cheeses. For families Gelindo dei Magredi in Vivaro has organized horse-drawn carriage rides on 30 August and 5, 13 and 19 September to the Vigna del Paradis vineyard, where participants will take part in the grape harvest. The experience will continue at the farm with the traditional grape-stomping. 

Transforming grapes into must 

In Adegliacco, following a walk through the vineyards, Agriturismo Tonutti offers insight into the early stages of transforming grapes into must, followed by a traditional grape-pickers’ lunch. Gradis’ ciutta, in the Collio DOC area, offers an organic experience on 12 September, complete with a walk through the countryside amongst the vine rows, a visit to the winery and a tasting of selected wines. 

Far from the hustle and bustle of mass tourism, every autumn the Val Casies celebrates the ancient transhumance ritual. 

The antithesis of mass tourism

Halfway between the allure of Brunico and the scenic grandeur of San Candido, the Val Casies is one of those side valleys that whisper their beauty only to those who know where to look. You don’t stumble upon it by chance, yet it is so easy to reach. Here, where autumn is not just a season but a veritable theatrical performance with understated charm blending with the authenticity of nature. This is the antithesis of mass tourism. 

© Frühling TV Gsieser Tal & Kamilla Photography

Traditional autumn festivals 

Autumn is above all the season of traditional festivals, and the Almabtrieb, the transhumance or cattle drive is one of the most powerful visual and emotional spectacles in the Alps, as well as a ritual of thanksgiving for the entire community. The weekend of 26 and 27 September sees the Keila Kirschta festival in the village of Colle. with local livestock festively adorned, descending into the valley escorted by historic carts and the local brass band. 

A farmers' market and an Alpine brunch

In San Martino, 3 October the traditional Gsiesa Marschtl farmers’ market starts with the tradition of the Frühschoppen – a sort of Alpine brunch featuring Tyrolean specialities – and continues with traditional music and roasted chestnuts, ending in the afternoon with the cattle parade as the animals return from the mountain pastures through the village centre.

Obotola Kirschta © TG Gsiesertal / Elke Lessnig

The transhumance tradition is still alive

On the weekend of 10 and 11 October, Santa Maddalena celebrates Obotola Kirschta. On Saturday afternoon, the ‘Original Öbotola Almabtrieb’ comes to life, as cows, sheep and goats descend from the high-altitude pastures adorned with wreaths of woven flowers, pine branches, mirrors and large bells. Leading the procession are the farmers, who, dressed in traditional costume, proudly bring their livestock down from the mountain pastures to the valley, before gathering for a grand folk festival.

On 6 September, Bormio will host Italy’s longest Pizzoccherata (pizzoccheri feast) at one of the Valtellina’s flagship summer food and wine events.

Good food, wine tastings and entertainment

Bormio is a renowned summer and winter tourist resort in Lombardy, situated in the Stelvio National Park, in the Upper Valtellina. The day will be dedicated to good food, with plenty of tastings of local produce and wines, and will be enlivened by traditional music, dancing, live performances and entertainment for everyone. For the occasion, Bormio’s historic centre will host a single table stretching 800 metres in length, ready to welcome over 2,000 diners to enjoy authentic pizzoccheri which are the local pasta which will be handmade by local restaurants. Pizzoccheri are made from buckwheat flour, originating in Valtellina, resemble tagliatelle in shape, and are traditionally served with potatoes, savoy cabbage and cheese.

Bormio

Pizzoccheri pasta for 2, 000 diners

After taking their seats at 12.30 pm and enjoying traditional starters accompanied by wines from the Valtellina Wine Protection Consortium, the traditional pizzoccheri will be served simultaneously to all guests along the 800-metre-long table. The lunch will conclude with the traditional buckwheat cake and a tasting of Valtellina apples. If you arrive a little early, before lunch, you can also watch the preparations, see the volunteers setting the table, stroll through the historic streets and watch the chefs as they knead, cut and prepare to cook the famous pizzoccheri. 

pizzoccherata Ph Roby Trab

Thermal waters and wellness treatments

Particularly renowned for its thermal waters, Bormio is a hub for those seeking wellness experiences, outdoor sports, relaxation and a connection with nature. The thermal waters reach temperatures of between 37 and 41 degrees and spring from the Dolomite massif and feed three spa complexes: the Terme di Bormio, located in the town of the same name, the Bagni Vecchi complex and the Gran Hotel Bagni Nuovi, situated in the neighbouring municipality of Valdidentro. The waters of the Bormio thermal baths possess healing properties suitable for the treatment of allergic conditions and numerous other ailments. There are also many centres and facilities offering a wide range of wellness and beauty treatments, from the most traditional to those using the latest, cutting-edge technologies.

For information and bookings

Val di Non, in Trentino, in autumn (link to the translated article: “Autumn in Val di Non: from autumnal foliage to traditions, discovering the region”) becomes the setting for a packed programme of food, wine and cultural events. 

Events that feature the apple, the region’s symbol

Mela Colgo courtesy of Raffaelli Consulting Public Relations

From 11 September to 18 October, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the Melinda Agritur Ambasciatori open the gates to their orchards as part of "MelaColgo," an initiative that combines experiential tourism with agriculture. Visitors can stroll through the rows of apple trees alongside the growers, pick apples straight from the tree and enjoy a traditional snack of strudel, juice and dried apples, as well as receiving a complimentary voucher for the new Mondomelinda Centre. The experience costs €25 for adults, €12 for children up to the age of 10 and is free for under-3s. A family package (2 adults and 2 children) is available for €65, including a 15-kg picking crate.

Apples, cheeses, cured meats wines and beers

The village of Casez, with its castle and typical Gothic-Venetian architecture, is hosting the twentieth edition of Pomaria, the event celebrating apples and the finest produce of the Val di Non. On 17 and 18 October, the streets of the historic centre will come alive with the farmers’ market "Strada della Mela e dei Sapori," where visitors can sample and purchase apples, cheeses, cured meats, honey, wines and craft beers. The programme includes cookery demonstrations and workshops on traditional dishes, art exhibitions, guided tours of apple orchards and castles, re-enactments of ancient crafts, family-friendly activities and guided tastings at the Enoteca di Pomaria.

Meetings with winemakers and master distillers 

Magnamour ph credits Francesca Padovan

"MagnAmour," from 9 October to 15 November, is a gastronomic festival that invites visitors to discover the valley through special menus offered by the area’s finest restaurants, dedicated to the region’s finest autumn produce: apples, Alpine cheeses and local wines. The exploration of the Val di Non’s food and wine continues with "Emozioni di Groppello" from 20 September to 26 October. The wineries of Revò and Romallo, in the municipality of Novella, will open their doors to introduce visitors to Groppello, a rare native grape variety and a symbol of the mountain viticulture typical of this area. The experience, lasting around two hours, includes a meeting with winemakers and master distillers, an explanation of production techniques and a final tasting of wines and local specialties. The cost is €18 for adults, €12 for children aged 3 to 17 and free for under-3s.

Historic wineries, distilleries and chestnuts

On 15 November, Casa Campia, in the heart of Revò, will host "Eroica Val di Non," an event dedicated to the heroic viticulture of the valley’s steep slopes. The event celebrates the oenological identity of the municipality of Novella - officially recognised as a City of Wine thanks to its concentration of historic wineries and distilleries - with talks, guided tastings and stories from the producers. To round off the event, the halls of the residence will host a special exhibition dedicated to local produce. Castel Nanno, an ancient medieval fortress later converted into a refined Renaissance residence, will welcome visitors in September and October with an autumn Chestnut Festival featuring roasted chestnuts. The building, which in the 17th century was the scene of witch trials, has an elegant square structure with crenellated walls, four corner towers and a surviving ancient keep.

The Operatori Ciclovia Parchi Calabria  association launches six years after the completion of the the cycle route.

The route is 544 kilometres long

The routs links the protected areas of the Apennines, and the operators involved include accommodation providers, bike point managers, tourist hubs, travel agencies, tour operators and tourist guides active along the 544-kilometre route stretching from Laino Borgo, in the Pollino, to Reggio Calabria.

200 operators are part of the association

The association stems from a shared vision of regional development and the need to consolidate the network of services along the cycle route. The result, as confirmed by the latest monitoring carried out by the Ciclovia dei Parchi della Calabria, has seen the emergence along the route of 45 new businesses dedicated to accommodation and services for cycle tourists, as well as around 200 operators who have already signed up to the Service Charter, the framework that underpins the standardization of the project.

Some 20,000 cyclists used the route in 2025

Data released by Komoot, a leading digital platform for over 50 million cycle tourists worldwide, shows that in 2025 the number of active users on the cycle route reached nearly 20,000, which was a 31% per cent increase over the previous year when Calabria ranked 13th in Italy for foreign visitors, and in the top 10 cycling destinations during the shoulder seasons (7th in winter, 10th in spring, 9th in autumn).

Easy, intermediate and difficult levels

The Calabria Parks Cycle Route crosses the region’s hinterland, passing through the Pollino and Sila National Parks, the Serre Regional Nature Park and the Aspromonte National Park. The total elevation gain of the route is 10,330 metres, whilst the total elevation loss is 10,590 metres; the highest point is 1,560 metres, in the Sila Park, whilst the lowest point is reached in Reggio Calabria, at sea level. The route is signposted and divided into 12 stages, ranging from 31 to 58 kilometres each, and offering three different levels of difficulty – easy, intermediate and difficult. 

National White Wine Day on 4 August is the day on which Italy celebrates white wines.

 White wines from the South Tyrol and Trentino

Starting in the very north of Italy, in the Val d’Isarco in South Tyrol, we find a grape variety that is rare in Italy, the Grüner Veltliner. The Aristos Alto Adige Valle Isarco DOC 2024 from Cantina Valle Isarco is made from hand-harvested and hand-selected grapes, and is aged for seven months. On the palate it is spicy and fresh, with an elegant, long and persistent finish and it pairs perfectly with fish, white meats and soft cheeses. In Trentino, Chardonnay finds its fullest expression in Trentodoc and the boutique winery Maso Martis, however produces the L’Incanto Chardonnay Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT 2024 in very limited quantities. Aged for 15 months in barriques, it pairs well with smoked and spiced cured meats or mature cheeses, as well as with seafood dishes.

Lake Garda, Romagna, Umbria and Tuscany 

In the morainic hills on the southern shore of Lake Garda, the Buglioni winery presents the Gabriella Lugana DOC 2025: a 100 per cent Trebbiano that reveals a pronounced minerality accompanied by fresh notes of citron and green apple and pairing well with light starters and soft cheeses, grilled fish and seafood pasta dishes. In Romagna the Dutia Albana di Romagna DOCG 202 is a wine that Branchini has been producing for almost 170 years and is perfect with ricotta and sage tortelli and the classic Romagna piadina, but also with raw fish, and spicy Middle Eastern cuisine.  In Umbria, Arnaldo Caprai presents his Grecante, a Grechetto Colli Martani DOC 2025 which has aromas of yellow peach, almond and a hint of minty herbs, and is ideal with seafood carpaccio and white meats.  In Tuscany, Tenuta Campo di Sasso-s Occhione Toscana Bianco IGT 2025 is a single-varietal Vermentino that pairs ideally with roast white meats, game and mature cheeses.

Zibibbo originated in Ptolemaic Egypt

The Grillesino estate's Vermentino Maremma Toscana DOC 2025 is another single-varietal wine, produced in a limited run of just 6,000 bottles, and is crisp and savoury on the palate, pairing beautifully with spaghetti with seafood or clams, fried and grilled seafood, fresh cheeses and summer salads. Zibibbo is one of the oldest white grape varieties in the Mediterranean, with origins dating back to Ptolemaic Egypt. Known internationally as Moscato d’Alessandria, it made its way to Sicily and Calabria, eventually reaching Santa Venere, the winery which, with its Calamacca Calabria Bianco IGT 2023, offers a dry Zibibbo with good acidity, and a fragrant, harmonious finish. 

Sicily has award-winning white wines

In Sicily, Azienda Agricola Cortese produces Vanedda Bianco Terre Siciliane IGP 2023, an organic white made from two classic Sicilian grape varieties, Catarratto and Grillo.This wine is particularly enjoyable with pasta with sardines, swordfish alla ghiotta, couscous and the island’s traditional cheeses. In Sicily Ragusa area, Santa Tresa produces the award-winning Rina Ianca Sicilia DOC 2025. This organic wine is Straw-yellow in colour and is perfect with fish and shellfish as well as with cured meats.

OMNIA Hotel's new Shangri-La Roma EUR building includes a large foyer for the new conference centre and has 65 rooms and suites. 

280 rooms and suites

The property, developed by the OMNIA Hotels group – which now operates eight properties in the capital – has 280 rooms, dining facilities, and a 1,800 sqm conference centre with multi-purpose spaces and terraces set amongst greenery, and is designed to harmonize with the architectural identity of the Shangri-La Roma and the urban and landscape style of the EUR district. “The expansion of the Shangri-La Roma EUR is a further step in our group’s growth. With this new development, we are increasing the hotel’s accommodation capacity and meeting the needs of an increasingly diverse clientele of business travellers, families and guests who choose Rome for medium- to long-term stays,” says Francesco Lazzarini, CEO of OMNIA Hotels.

New suite

The foyer has arched geometries

The Shangri-La Roma EUR features a new, striking foyer for the conference centre, which is a distinctive element of the entire project. Contemporary in style, it reflects the architectural character of the EUR district, with arched geometries and particular attention paid to lighting, materials and finishes. In addition to the new foyer, there is a new car park with 70 new parking spaces in addition to the existing outdoor spaces.

New foyer

The five suites are ideal for extended stays and families

The new building echoes the clean, precise lines of the existing complex, its understated, contemporary design creating a seamless connection between the architecture and the natural surroundings. The rooms are welcoming, bright and have distinctive decorative artwork behind the headboards, inspired by the neighbourhood’s monumental architecture with a contemporary twist. In addition to the 60 new rooms, the extension features five suites, designed for those seeking more spacious accommodation, for extended stays and families of up to four people. The Omnia Suite Andromeda covers an area of 70 sqm and has a fully equipped kitchen, two bathrooms, a spacious bedroom and a large living room. The three Omnia Suite Sirio suites on  40 sqm each, have a fully equipped kitchenette, two bathrooms, a bright bedroom and a living area. The Omnia Suite Vega is the most intimate of the accommodation options. On 54 sqm it has a fully equipped kitchenette, a spacious bathroom, a bedroom and a living area. For information: www.omniahotels.com    

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The Sardinian Artistic Crafts Fair, which is back for the summer until 13 September in Mogoro, is a way to discover the island through its craftsmanship.

One of Italy’s longest-running and most popular events

The event showcases local artistic crafts and, now in its 65th edition, remains one of Italy’s longest-running and most popular events. "The 65th edition of the Sardinian Artistic Craft Fair is an important milestone not only for Mogoro, but for the whole island,- says the mayor of Mogoro, Luca Orrù. -For over sixty years this event has preserved and promoted Sardinia’s artistic craft heritage, becoming a benchmark for craftspeople, visitors and industry professionals."

"A tourist attraction and a driver of economic development

With 113 artisans from across Sardinia representing 13 sectors of artistic craftsmanship, “Intrecci” (Intertwining) is the theme chosen for this edition, inspired by Mogoro’s textile tradition and refers to the interweaving of relationships between artisans, works and places. The Fair is an opportunity to transform artistic craftsmanship into a cultural experience, a tourist attraction and a driver of economic development. “The Fair is an interweaving of people, relationships, skills, ideas, colours, displays and professionalism which, year after year, is enriched by new contributions without losing sight of its past. This is the event’s most authentic value: a community that continues to build its future on the basis of a shared history,” says Francesco Serrenti, town councillor for crafts.

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Visitors can meet and chat with the artisans 

The items on display are an expression of local craftsmanship, the result of research, creativity and contemporary design. Ceramics, weaving, goldsmithing, woodwork, glass, metals, leatherwork, cutlery, embroidery, basketry, stonework, textiles and agri-food products come together to create an exhibition itinerary that successfully blends tradition and modernity; on the other hand, they offer a direct way to discover Sardinia’s identity from a fresh perspective. During the fair visitors can meet the artisans, chat with them, learn about their techniques and take part in workshops, and the exhibition programme is enriched by a packed calendar of supporting events, including talks, meetings and in-depth sessions.

For information: www.fierartigianatosardegna.it