As Summer rolls on it’s time to experience Friuli Venezia Giulia, from the Alps and the Dolomites to the Adriatic Sea, crossing plains, hills, rivers and lakes.

The Friuli Venezia Giulia region has planned a cornucopia of entertainment and activities with an excursion calendar, up to October 2022, that is packed with outdoor activities, coastal adventures and opportunities to discover the region's most characteristic flavours.

These include gourmet experiences on boats, picnics in vineyards, astro-trekking and river-trekking, canoe trips on the lagoon and cooking workshops for baby chefs.

Sea & Taste Grado - Aquileia Credits: Fabrice Gallina

Sea&Taste: what the sea teaches us about culture and flavours 

Gourmet experiences on boats, winery visits and tastings, sunset cocktails overlooking the magical lagoon, Sea & Taste has an exciting calendar of activities departing from Lignano Sabbiadoro and Grado. Running up to 30 September, with dates that vary according to the different activities, there will be over a hundred different ways of experiencing the sea, while also discovering the history and traditions of the immediate hinterland. 

You can choose between a fascinating trip to Aquileia, a guided tour to Lignano Sabbiadoro’s beach, lagoon, architecture and mosaics, a canoe excursion on the lagoon, or by exploring the Gigante and Trieste caves, with a stop in the Carso for a rebechin, which is Trieste’s typical snack. In Grado sunset will be the moment to enjoy the lagoon and savour local cuisine on a motorboat, and also to set sail to discover Marano Lagunare where a guided walking tour on the calli e campielli alleyways and squares of the old town centre, will open the door to a seaside village where time seems to have stood still. 

For information: www.turismofvg.it/it/mare/sea-taste


Sea & Taste Grado - Aquileia Credits: Fabrice Gallina

Food and wine: the central theme together with music and nature

Nature bathing in vineyards, picnics and experiences to enjoy with family or friends. The common thread of all the summer events in the orchards of Friuli Venezia Giulia is food and wine, with the Wine and Taste Route. PromoTurismoFVG, in collaboration with local concerns and Wine and Taste Route members has prepared a varied programme of events that will help visitors to familiarize with the region by getting to know its many excellent and typical products.

Sea & Taste Grado - Aquileia Credits: Fabrice Gallina

Art&Taste is the perfect choice for those wanting to combine music with a good glass of wine and some traditional dishes. Classical, pop, rock and jazz music will provide the backdrop for the summer nights with the wine cellars transformed into stages with live music.
www.turismofvg.it/events20?hidehighlights=true&customcategory=3599&start=2022-06-13&end=2022-11-30&q=Art%26Taste


Il tempo delle Mele. Credits: Fabrice Gallina

Nature Bathing is a way to rediscover our inner balance and wellbeing: a regenerating barefoot walk through vineyards, accompanied by vine-dressers, to discover the secrets of the vines, followed by a tasting of the winery's production paired with local products. This is the ideal way to discover the area's wine culture. www.turismofvg.it/it/esperienza-nature-bathing-tra-le-vigne

Family&Taste is aimed at kids, with a series of kitchen and mini workshops to familiarize them with the region's products and culinary traditions. The Pic&Taste summer picnics are organised by the various regional wineries and companies with tastings of wines, artisan beers and typical products in natural settings. The areas and experiences, subdivided by area, can be chosen at: https://www.turismofvg.it/strada-del-vino-e-dei-sapori 

Mount Piave Credits: Luciano Gaudenzio

Food&wine

A constantly updated programme of events including dinners and vineyard walks, shows and outings to discover astro-trekking in the vineyards (www.turismofvg.it/it/eventi-food-wine).

Daily mountain excursions for altitude enthusiasts, from the most experienced to those approaching the peaks for the first time, with an entertaining calendar that connects the entire Alpine arc of Friuli Venezia Giulia, from the Friulian Dolomites to the Julian Alps, crossing Carnia, and from the descent into the Torre and Natisone Valleys to the Karst area. A great way to relax, with entertainment, recreation and activities for all ages.

The mountains of Friuli Venezia Giulia welcome the summer with something for everyone, from hiking, geo-trekking, river-trekking, canyoning and soft rafting along rivers and streams for the more adventurous, to ziplines, paragliding and botanical walks, hay workshops and bike rides also for families and children, without forgetting outings to discover the typical malghe shepherd's huts.  

Pesariis Credits: Ulderica da Pozzo

360 degrees in nature

From the museums of the Great War to the mining tradition of the little town of Cave del Predil, from the German-speaking islands of Sauris and Sappada to the clocks of Pesariis, the mountains of Friuli Venezia Giulia preserve and guard endless expressions of art and culture studded with charming, enchanted small towns. Anyone interested in traditions will not want to miss an excursion to discover the fascinating history of the Monte Croce Carnico pass. Another unique event is the herb harvest followed by a show-cooking session which is absolutely the best way to savour the genuineness of the local raw materials used in traditional dishes.

To discover all the possibilities offered by the mountains of Friuli Venezia Giulia: www.turismofvg.it/it/montagna365


Alpe Adria Trail - Prepotto Credits: Alessandro Michelazzi

Ciclovia Alpe Adria Credits: Nicola Brollo
Culture and outdoors: guided tours and Hop on Hop off Collio

Following in the footsteps of Carlo Michelstaedter we retrace the town of Gorizia as it was at the turn of the century. It will be in the spotlight in 2025 when, together with Nova Gorica, it will be the European Capital of Culture. Trieste, on the other hand reveals its legends and mysteries and celebrates the centenary anniversary of Joyce's Ulysses and the 140th anniversary of the Irish writer's birth.

There are itineraries in the footsteps of Pasolini, one hundred years after his birth, to discover Casarsa della Delizia and the places that link the author to this land. But also a stroll through romantic and elegant Udine, Aquileia and the glories of the ancient Roman Empire, and the Pordenone area to discover medieval art and the mosaics of Spilimbergo. 

With a wide range of visits and guided tours to discover the cultural heritage of the region, the FVGcard gives free access to a series of partner facilities with discounts and promotions. The card can be purchased online or at the region's infopoints www.turismofvg.it/fvg-card.

For bikers the novelty is the Hop on hop off - Tour sui Colli, three slow routes to discover the territory on two wheels. The result of the collaboration between PromoTurismoFVG and Apt Gorizia, this service allows travelling some routes by bus and others by bicycle, combining cultural and food and wine experiences with immersive cycling in the enchanting landscapes of the Collio and Colli Orientali.

The Hop on hop off Collio&Colli tour starts in Grado, crosses the Collio as far as Cividale, by bus and by bicycle, passing vineyards, places of art and picturesque villages. The Lombards in FVG tour departs from Grado and leads to the Longobard settlements in Cividale del Friuli and the Roman settlement of Isonzo, passing through Cormòns, the heart of the Collio. Tasting the Collio, which also starts in Grado, is a food and wine tour to discover the flavours and products of the area, passing through the region’s spectacular hilly landscape.

For information: www.turismofvg.it/booking-delle-esperienze

Puglia’s sea is the best in Italy, its bathing waters having been rated 99% and excellent,  following close control and monitoring by Arpa,  the National Environmental Protection System. This puts Puglia ahead of Sardinia, which received 97.6% and Tuscany at 96%. 

Puglia has 676 designated bathing areas

Along its 1,000 kilometres of coastline, Puglia has 676 areas designated for bathing. After this year’s results, Arpa Puglia's Director General, Vito Bruno stated “We are pleased to note that once again this year Puglia ranks first in Italy for the healthiness of its bathing waters.” 

5-star Borgo Egnazia has private beach access

An excellent way to enjoy the crystal-clear waters in Puglia is to stay at Borgo Egnazia which has private access to the sea. This five-star property is located a five minutes’ drive from the local fishing village of Savelletri, and one hour from both Bari and Brindisi airports, and is an ideal base from which to uncover a trove of Italian history, cuisine, and beaches. 

A choice of two beaches 

The property offers two incredible beaches: the sandy La Fonte and the chic and stylish Cala Masciola Beach Club which is a great option for avoiding the crowds in summer. With sophisticated cabanas and a seafood grill restaurant serving local specialties, in the evening it comes alive with special dinners and events lasting until sunrise. 

Ideal for families and couples

Borgo Egnazia is in the style of a traditional Apulian village with a modern twist on the whitewashed masseria style that is synonymous with this still largely undiscovered region of Italy. Space and privacy are offered by the 63 Suites, 92 Casette mini houses, and 29 Case which are perfect for families and couples alike.  

Near a championship golf course

The nearby 18-hole 72-par San Domenico Golf is a championship course with idyllic views of the sea from each hole, and is perfectly integrated into Puglia’s dramatic Mediterranean coastal landscapes.   

For information: borgoegnazia.it  

Stay Fancy Hotels is a new hotel group from Renco, a company in the energy, construction, and property management sectors that owns many management and hospitality assets in Italy, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Congo and Mozambique.

Stay Fancy Hotels includes the group's properties for hotel use both in Italy and abroad, such as the Grand Hotel Yerevan in Armenia, the Diamonds Mequfi Beach Resort in Mozambique, the Mercure Almanty City Center in Kazakhstan, as well as the Palazzo Castri 1874 of Florence, The Matera Suite, and Villa Soligo in Treviso.

La Suite Matera

“We have been locked up for too long”

“After the pandemic the needs of tourists changed - says Stefania Dotto, marketing & sales director of the company -. We have been locked up for too long; we have lost human contact, smiles obscured by masks, no hugs. Today the customer needs to rediscover these values, to feel surrounded by warm and familiar homely environments. In Stay Fancy Hotels and Resorts you can experience these sensations again.”

Palazzo Castri Florence

Creating engaging experiences for guests

The management of the properties is cutting edge: "In each of our destinations - explains Stefania Dotto - we have collaborated with the local tourism supply chain, specialized guides, golf clubs, wineries, restaurants, tour operators and local excellence, to create engaging experiences that excite our guests ".

Villa Soligo Treviso

Garda Trentino Experiences means fun and relaxation for all the family in the Ledro Valley, suspended between Lake Garda and the Chiese Valley in a stunning mountain setting.

Trentino experiences for all ages

The mild climate makes it possible to enjoy this valley all year round, for a series of ever-changing seasonal impressions. And up to 30 September thanks to the Garda Trentino Experiences there are experiences for all in the Ledro Valley, the destination for unforgettable multi-generational holidays.

Stargazing. All eyes on the stars 

In the area of Pur and on Mount Tremalzo - the second highest mountain in the Gardesane Prealps, far from lights and noise, this is a unique way to explore the solar system. Accessible to all, including the mobility impaired, this experience includes a night visit with a guided observation of the sky by the naked eye, and astronomical observation using a telescope.

Field to fork. Cooking, botany and tradition 

The Val Concei, considered the green lung of the Ledro Valley, is a veritable treasure trove of biodiversity. Flowers, mushrooms and wild herbs grow in its meadows and are also used as healthy and genuine ingredients for incredibly tasty dishes. With Natura in Tavola you learn how to recognize and gather these treasures of nature. Furthermore, in the company of Chef Andrea from the Elda Slow Restaurant, you will discover how they can be used in the kitchen.   

APT Garda Dolomiti Spa

Water sports, nature and bird watching

The clear waters of Lake Ledro are ideal for swimming, SUP and canoeing, but also wakeboarding and sailing, or simply for relaxing on the beach. The Tremalzo mountain group one of the most important natural gardens in Europe with several endemic species, while the Bocca Casèt pass is a strategic point for bird migration, and there are many opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, canyoning and climbing. 

APTGardaDolomitiSpA - Ledro Lake

Slow tourism and history 

For those who prefer a holiday dedicated to slow tourism there are many little villages where visitors to delve into the local culture and discover traditional dishes, many of which have Central European influences. Visitors interested in history will find the remains of a pile-dwelling village dating back some 4,000 years that has emerged from Lake Ledro. This extraordinary archaeological site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and now part of the Ledro Pile-Dwelling Museum.

For information: www.gardatrentino.it

The Val di Taro is a region with gastronomic ambitions and, like most border lands, often mistakenly considered on the margins of conventional geography, is the beating heart of cultures and ideas.

The Alta Valtaro area - an artistic treasure chest that holds such gems as the little town of Borgo Val di Taro which is about 60 kilometres from Parma – has become a cornerstone of the food and wine sector…with an eye to innovation.

Albareto Mushroom Fair - Photo Credit: Francesca Bocchia

The annual Mushroom Fair

As well as the now legendary Mushroom Fair in Borgo Val di Taro and the National Porcini Mushroom Fair in Albareto, the valley recently witnessed the return of chef Alessandro Delnevo to inaugurate his Così è (se vi pare) restaurant in his native Borgo Val di Taro. Another innovation is the GustaBorgo guided tour with Giacomo Galli (Visit Emilia). Held on a Saturday afternoon in Borgo Val di Taro it features gastronomy and discovers old and new shops while allowing visitors to enjoy tastings of local wines and foods.

The National Porcini Mushroom Fair 

On 17,18, 24 and 25 September 2022 the mushroom fair will take over historic venues on the Via Nazionale attracting visitors for its typical local products and the latest trends in food & wine. Then from 30 September to 2 October Albareto will play its role as the beating heart of the National Porcini Mushroom Fair. This year the event focuses on a range of food and non-food products alongside the king of mushrooms.

The GustaBorgo guided tour

GustaBorgo, a Saturday afternoon guided tour with Giacomo Galli (Visit Emilia) along the Via Nazionale in Borgo Val di Taro features local gastronomy and old and new shops as well as tastings of the typical flavours of the area. These go from the herb cake of Borgo Val di Taro made with raw chard, 30-month Parmesan cheese and oil, to beer from the Turris Brewery scented with honey, blackberries or chestnuts. The tour ends at Le Bontà di Camisa, dal 1929, where the spotlight is on the Baciocca, a potato cake with a chestnut-leaf base.

For information: www.turismovaltaro.it

Magical Autumn Interweavings (Magici Intrecci Autunnali) in the Friuli, Venezia Giulia region, from 14 to16 October in the Castle of Strassoldo, half an hour's drive from the provincial capital of Udine, are a refined autumn exhibition dedicated to handicrafts and nursery gardening of excellence. 

Arts, crafts and rare plants

This year Magici Intrecci Autunnali will be held in the Strassoldo di Sopra Castle in the spacious covered and open-air spaces embellished with imaginative autumn decorations. On display will be the latest arts, crafts and plants of more than 100 master craftsmen, artists and nurserymen of excellence, personally selected by the hostess Gabriella Williams Strassoldo. 

A selection of perfect Christmas gifts

The master craftsmen will propose decorations and furnishings for the home and garden and there will also be small handicraft companies with the best of Friuli’s production. The wide range of elegant and original articles will be perfect non-trivial Christmas presents, those special gifts that are so difficult to find. Also significant will be the presence of some of Italy's leading nurserymen with rare, ancient and special plants. 

Refreshment areas and guided tours

The event - which will be held safely in compliance with Covid regulations - will also be held in the event of rain, since most of the exhibitors will be inside the castle, and those outside will be protected by large gazebos, as is customary for these country events.

Delicacies and light fare will be served in the two refreshment areas in the shade of centuries-old trees, and there will also be guided tours for small groups to visit the exteriors of the two castles.

Tickets online: https://www.vivaticket.com/it/Ticket/magici-intrecci-autunnali/186758.

For information: www.castellodistrassoldo.it

Luxury Camp is Italy's first 5-star campsite at the Union Lido Park & Resort in Cavallino-Treporti, a little town on the lagoon over an hour’s drive or half an hour by boat from Venice. 

Mirror suites and extra-luxury caravans

A personalized welcome, comfort and total privacy are the lowest common denominator for stays at Luxury Camp which is popular with Italian and international guests who pay €250 to €1200 a night in mirror suites and extra-luxury caravans. "This year we had a 15% increase in bookings compared to 2021, - says Camping Management’s director Mattia Ferro.  -At the beginning of the season 90% of all 180 days available from 8 April to 3 October had been booked.

A winning luxury formula

The real secret of Luxury Camp's innovative formula is the pine forest setting on the sea and the many leisure, health and wellness services ranging from water parks to sports centres and spas. "For Luxury Camp we did years of market research into the world’s best 5-star superior to 7-star hotels from Dubai to Las Vegas to Shanghai, to which we added our personal Italian warmth and style.”

A private fenced luxury beach

Luxury Camp offers among its privileges a private and fenced luxury beach and transport to the beach with a Golfcar Limousine, all within a half an hour's boat ride from St. Mark's Square in Venice by embarking on a private launch from the Punta Sabbioni terminal. The 18 exclusive mirror suites are luxurious mobile homes on wheels with a mirrored side equipped with all comforts, and there are also two luxury caravans. The mirror suites, in South Florida style, are available with two or three bedrooms, sleeping 4 to 6 people with ensuite bathrooms, air conditioning, fridge, TV, living room with sofa, furnished veranda, and a fully-equipped kitchen.   

5-star services and comforts 

The services are typical of luxury hotel chains, ranging from priority check-in and check-out, to 24-hour parking and taxi transfers in Venice. "Our concierge,- adds Mattia Ferro, - reaches out to all kinds of guest needs. And on the private luxury beach with its XL umbrellas and mattress beds, there is a staffed reception desk. Among the special requests we have received over the years there has been a heliport, a butler and a personal chef."

For information: https://www.luxurycamp.it

Italy’s southern Sannio region is the latest destination to join the network of the five-year 2023-2028 Return to Italy project from Rete Destinazione Sud, together with the province of Benevento where some 30 municipalities have formally adhered to the project. 

Promoting return tourism

Benevento’s mayors were brought together by the President of the Destinazione Sud Network, Michelangelo Lurgi, in the municipality of San Lorenzello to sign memoranda of understanding. They also discussed initiatives aimed at promoting return tourism for Italians abroad who intend searching for their roots.

“Relaunching the image of Italy” 

Also present were the President of the Province of Benevento, Nino Lombardi, the Mayor of Benevento, Clemente Mastella, and the Senator of the Italian Republic, Sandra Lonardo, who has always been active in the development of the area.  “We are relaunching the image of Italy and promoting investments, - said Michelangelo Lurgi. - The municipalities are invited to promote their cultural, productive and enogastronomic excellence, thus enhancing their potential.”

Bringing small towns together with positive results

The mayor of Benevento, Clemente Mastella, said the project is a concrete example of how it is possible to bring small towns to work together with positive results. “From the point of view of tourism, we have to improve connections with the Sannio and Benevento area. We must use the Pnrr (The Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan Ed) for mobility, making the area more accessible by road and rail connections.”

Castel Maurn in the Val Pusteria is for exclusive stays that respond to a desire for freedom and the need for security, both of which can be found in this stunning green valley in the North of Italy. Following a magnificent restoration this ancient property is now an exclusive hotel with frescoes, wooden panelling, 18th century wooden parquet flooring, contemporary furnishings and design touches. The eight large suites (ranging from 35 to 220 square metres) have night and a day areas and fully equipped hi-tech kitchens for a completely independent stay.

A home away from home and fine dining

You will feel you are quite at home though you are actually in a palace. And the concierge service plays an important role in tailoring every stay to individual preferences. From breakfast served in your room to candlelit dinners, wine tastings, and excursions on foot and by mountain bike with mountain guides to gourmet tours of Brunico's shops to exclusive tables in the best gourmet restaurants in the area such as the Michelin-starred St. Hubertus, Schöneck or Norbert Niederkofler's AlpiNN.

Miles of cycle trails and waterfalls

Nature lovers will discover a crossroads of destinations right in front of Castel Maurn's door: from the nearby woods to the trails between the

, those in the Fanes-Senes-Braies Park, the marvel of the Three Peaks of Lavaredo and Lake Braies. And for cycle enthusiasts there are over 110 kilometres of cycle paths in the Val Pusteria. The spectacular Campo Tures waterfalls can be reached by bike in half an hour from Castel Maurn, while that architectural masterpiece of Perca’s Earth Pyramids – columns sculpted by nature - are not to be missed. 

Mountainsailing (a flagship of OverAlp) offers a week of sailing combined with splendid trekking routes immersed in the magic of the Aeolian Islands, which are a UNESCO heritage site with fascinating and evocative volcanic landscapes. Brainchild of the Alpine guide Carlo Gabasio and skipper Paolo Falco, since 2016 Mountainsailing has been offering land and sea treks which are a novel approach and much appreciated by outdoor enthusiasts who also love the sea.

The first trek begins in La Fossa and from its highest point there is an exceptional view of the Aeolian archipelago. Upon returning you can relax and enjoy sailing along the coast towards Lipari, the capital of the Aeolian Islands, touching the villages of Canneto, Lama and Acquacalda amd with spectacular views of the most beautiful beaches.

Salina in the green heart of the Aeolian Islands

Another trek is to the island of Salina, the green heart of the Aeolian Islands, with Malvasia vineyards that produce the nectar of the gods, a wine appreciated and known the world over. The highest peak on Salina is the 962-metre inactive volcano Monte Fossa delle Felci. 

Stromboli has an active volcano

At dawn on the sixth day the sails are set for a longer journey to the wonderful island of Stromboli, dominated by Iddu as they call the volcano that has been active for over 2.000 years. A late afternoon trek goes up scenic trails with views of the crater, crowned by incandescent lava eruptions that blend into the colours of the night and the city lights.

Time to swim on sandy beaches

The tour continues with a stop in Panarea, the pearl of the Aeolian Islands, for a refreshing dip on one of the beautiful sandy Mediterranean beaches. This Mountainsailing tour is ideal for those who want to enjoy both the sea and the mountains: a relaxing experience but at the same time with well-planned excursions, and trekking routes suitable for everyone. A late summer dream, ideal for enjoying an active holiday without depriving yourself of the pleasures of the sea.

USEFUL INFORMATION

Dates: 2 – 8 October 2022

Fee: €1600 per person, minimum 5 people

THE PRICE INCLUDES: organization and assistance by a UIAGM mountain guide for the whole trip; accommodation on a sailing boat with a skipper; breakfast, post-trekking snacks and dinners on the boat, boat and tender fuel, any port charges, boat cleaning at the end of the trip.

THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE: return trip to and from the airports and ports of departure. Any dinners restaurants. Personal extras (drinks etc.). Anything not indicated in “The Price Includes”

Information and reservations OverAlp Srl