The 2024 edition of the Italian Gravel Championship will take place in Golferenzo, a charming village perched atop a hill, part of the "Most Beautiful Villages in Italy," nestled among the hills and vineyards of Oltrepò Pavese. The Italian Gravel Championship is the highest national expression of the recent two-wheeled discipline, and for the summer of 2024, it will award its prestigious tricolor jerseys in the heart of Oltrepò Pavese, in Golferenzo. The event is scheduled for Sunday, June 30, for the race that will award the green-white-red title, open to both professional and amateur gravel riders. Among towers that rise towards the sky, castles, and valleys with breathtaking views, Golferenzo overlooks the vast and lush vineyards of the Valle Versa, a wine-producing area known for wines such as Riesling and Pinot. The route will pass through the territories of Rovescala, Bosnasco, Zenevredo, Stradella, Montescano, Montù Beccaria, Santa Maria della Versa, and Golferenzo. On the gravel roads that define the pristine territory of Oltrepò Pavese, the best gravel riders in Italy will compete on a route that allows Gravel to showcase its full potential: the courses that combine paved sections with stretches of gravel and dirt are the most suited for this type of event, which in Oltrepò Pavese is the norm. If we add the spectacular views that can be enjoyed in this area... The cyclists will have to endure the challenging 42 km course with 600 meters of elevation, but being surrounded by the charm of the vineyards and hills will help them recover their energy more quickly.

A travel experience that values the local countryside and its traditions, authenticity and sustainability.

A tour of Castles and Rice Paddies in search of a land of exquisite beauty

A holiday in Valtellina to discover the Valmalenco, between outdoor activities and ancient traditions.

Come join us on this amazing and unforgettable experience, getting on board the Bernina Express: this is not a simple train, but a real arena overlooking the fascinating spectacle of the nature!

April brings the spring to Lombardy, with trips out of town, seasonal flavours, art initiatives, and sporting events

A green way towards the Appennines

The blossoms in Valtellina’s apple orchards are an extraordinary spring awakening. Nature returns to the Rhaetian side of the Alps in April, from the province of Sondrio to Switzerland.   Along this natural border, the alluvial cones in the municipal areas of Ponte in Valtellina, Bianzone, and Semio-Lovero, fertile concavities forming a fan, are ideal for the creation of terraces, where vines and apple trees form the backbone of traditional farming life in Valtellina.  With the arrival of spring in the central Valtellina, there is an authentic sea of blossoms, with flashes of pink and white petals from the apple trees, releasing a sweet, delicate fragrance into the crisp mountain air.  This creates the perfect atmosphere for walks or bike rides around the orchards, using the flower-filled routes to create an itinerary where you can choose your own starting point for a day’s exploring. Cologna, Sernio, Lovero, Villa di Tirano, Chiuro, Ponte in Valtellina, and Tresivio are the locations where you can discover the magic of the apple blossom.   A floral excursion that offers its best in the sunshine, but also an opportunity to explore the characteristic local villages if your trip is affected by the weather. One of these worth visiting is Ponte in Valtellina, a traditional old village with a centre that seems suspended in the mists of time. Cobbled streets and old courtyards, plus uninhabited noble palazzos create a magical setting in which to discover historic churches and local restaurants where you can enjoy a typical lunch. Just over a 15-minute drive from Sondrio and 20 minutes from Tirano, Ponte in Valtellina is right between these two locations, and is a great place from which to explore nature and history in the spring.     

Navigation through the Mincio Park, part of the Valli del Mincio Nature Reserve, is a magical experience, where you can explore the natural treasures of this river reserve by boat.   Setting out from Mantua, or from the splendid fishing villages of Grazie di Curtatone or Rivalta sul Mincio, with the arrival of spring many municipalities offer the possibility, to visit the area, with brand new and creative excursions by boat, where you can enjoy a typical lunch while enjoying the river’s panoramic views.  The River Mincio flows out of Lake Garda and into the Valle del Mincio, where it splits into three lakes (upper, lower and middle), which surround the city of Mantua. The result is a river nature reserve with flourishing water vegetation, reeds, and lotus flowers - this latter visible in summer - and wildlife that includes numerous bird species, such as the grey heron. The landscape of this river, which runs as far as the river Po, includes panoramic views where nature and architectural beauties, such as the  Reggia dei Gonzaga, come together to form an idyllic, tranquil fairytale location.  This stunning natural setting is home to Grazie di Curtatone, a gem of a village on the river, with just a few hundred inhabitants, and famous for its Sanctuary of the Beata Vergine Maria. Inside the sanctuary, it is possible to see a crocodile hanging over the nave. Every year, the church welcomes hundreds of chalk artists from all over the world to create extraordinary art in its churchyard, for the Festa dell’Assunta. In spring, the village is worth exploring as well as being the perfect starting point for boat trips on the Mincio, and for visits to the artistic and cultural locations in and around Mantua, where you can enjoy savouring local delicacies, even more when on a boat.   

Alpe San Michele, a meeting point between Valcuvia and Valtravaglia, is one of the most stunning points from which to enjoy views from above Lake Maggiore.   Here we have the village of San Michele, in the province of Porto Valtravaglia, home to the enchanting little church of San Michele al Monte. The church is Romanesque in origin, decorated with early mediaeval frescoes, and surrounded by greenery. Previously alpine pastures, it is now the perfect place for a buen retiro and a picnic after a panoramic excursion.   Although it is just a little over 800 metres in altitude, Alpe San Michele offers enviable views over the local area, embracing the Varese region, the upper area of Milan, upper Verbano and the villages and subalpine pastures. The panoramic vantage point of San Michele, near the church of the same name, can be reached on different excursion routes, starting from Porto Valtravaglia or the nearby municipalities, such as Mesenzana. Of the best-known trails, worthy of mention is the Trekking degli Insubri, a route that crosses through the woods along ancient trails and relics of Celtic origin.  On arrival, hikers, mountain bike enthusiasts and visitors can rest in these holy, historical and natural surroundings, which are ideal for al fresco lunching. If you’d rather opt for a picnic or if you don’t fancy hiking on account of the bad weather, San Michele can also be reached by car. Just twenty minutes’ drive from Lake Maggiore, you will find restaurants and other venues with views of the lake.  

Pigra, at the heart of Valle d’Intelvi, is a small artistic village at an altitude of 881 metres, which can boast one of the most stunning panoramic views over Lake Como.   A peaceful, silent location, suspended over the lake, where it offers unique views of the area’s most iconic scenery, from Mount San Primo to the villages in the central lake area, including Bellagio and Varenna, to Isola Comacina, the Grigne massif, and the mountains Monte Legnone and Pizzo dei Tre Signori,   Pigra sits on the western shore of Lake Como, where it is a crossroads for the hiking routes that set out from or arrive in the village, skirting the Comasche Prealps and the lake. Popular culture associates the village and its cobbled streets with the symbol of the cat. In fact, cats are an integral part of the landscape, featuring in the colourful frescos that decorate the building façades all year round. The pride of Pigra, though, is its vantage point, which can be visited all year round. There are specific routes, either by car or using the historic cablecar - the steepest in Italy - with two 12-seater cars that take visitors from the lake to the mountain viewing point and back again, all while offering fantastic views.  The departure point for Pigra, whether on foot or with the cablecar is Argegno, a picturesque, rustic village overlooking the lake front, and crossed by a stream (the Telo), which divides it into two parts, linked by a mediaeval bridge. From here it is possible to take the boat to Bellagio, visit the characteristic village of Ossuccio, or explore Villa del Balbianello, one of the most famous villas on Lake Como, and well known for its lush gardens overlooking the lake.   

Enjoy Como Lake panorama and traditional food by walking in the wonderful atmosphere of Varenna and its countryside.