The Ministry of Tourism has allocated 1,690,078.65 euros for “Wines and Walks”. Launched on the occasion of Vinitaly, the project involves the regions of central Italy: Umbria, Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna.
The funds aim to implement interventions along the routes of religious pathscreating a synergy between tourism and agriculture to promote local food and wine production, generating positive impacts on an economic, employment, social and cultural level.
The goal is the valorisation of slow tourism and the food and wine excellences along the religious paths of San Francesco, San Benedetto and Via Lauretana.
The regions will activate the “Wines and Walks” project through a series of coordinated actions aimed at promoting slow tourism and food and wine excellence along the routes of the religious paths present in their territory. Let’s see in detail how and what the initiatives are.
Wines and Walks in Umbria
The “Wines and Walks” project in Umbria combines the exploration of the enchanting landscapes and the millenary history of the region with the tasting of its typical products. Through itineraries like the Via di Francesco and the Via del Sud, visitors can immerse themselves in evocative paths between abbeys, parish churches and convents, discovering the spiritual charm of the area. The varied beauty of the Umbrian landscape, from the woods to the valleys, is enriched by the excellent wine production, with wines such as Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG and Rosso di Montefalco DOP, together with unique products such as Trevi black celery, testifying to the richness and the authenticity of the Umbrian food and wine tradition.
Find out more about initiatives inUmbriathe list of official sites of the promoted Paths.
Wines and Walks in Tuscany
In Tuscany, the “Wines and Walks” program continues along the Via di Francesco, offering an itinerary that passes through spiritual places immersed in breathtaking landscapes. Starting from the Casentino and passing through Anghiari, famous for its textile production, you reach Arezzo, where we recommend a visit to the Maec to admire the Tabula cortanensis. Along the way, ancient vines and olive trees enrich the experience. The Terre di Arezzo wine route and the Cortona wine route offer visits to the cellars and tastings, while the proposals for active and cultural holidays complete the offer in a context that also inspired Leonardo da Vinci.
To find out about all the itineraries in Tuscany, below are the official sites promoting the initiatives:
Wines and Walks in Emilia-Romagna
Instead in Emilia-Romagna the slow pace journeys enhanced by “Vini e Cammini” are those of The Way of St. Francis, from Rimini to La Verna. Along this itinerary of about five days, you pass through places linked to the Saint, from Valmarecchia to the Tuscan-Romagnolo Apennines. The journey includes ancient road systems, convents and places of faith such as the Convent of the Friars Minor in Verucchio and that of the Poor Clares and Capuchins in Sant’Agata Feltria. Historic villages like San Leo enrich the experience. Along Val Marecchia, the path connects to the Wine and Flavor Route of the Hills of Rimini, offering visits to the cellars and companies producing typical products in the area. Wine production thrives among the Rimini hills, with Sangiovese as the protagonist among the red grapes and a wide variety of white grapes that contribute to the “Colli di Rimini” DOC.
All the details on the Cammini in Emilia-Romagna you can find them by consulting the official websites:
Wines and Walks in the Marche
The “Vini e Cammini” funds intended for the Marche Region, however, will be used to enhance slow tourism through Via Lauretana, the oldest Marian path in the world. This route combines spirituality, meditation, nature, culture and food and wine, connecting Assisi and Loreto. Along the Marche stretch, you pass through various landscapes, from hills to valleys, rich in art and historic villages. You pass through the Colli Maceratesi DOC, renowned for their wines, and arrive at the Sanctuary of Loreto, with the thousand-year-old walls of the house of the Holy Family. Other itineraries include the Franciscan Way of the Marca, from Assisi to Ascoli Piceno, which enhances the typical local agri-food products. During the walks, you can taste the food and wine excellences by visiting wineries and taking part in the food and wine events organized in the municipalities involved.
Useful information and details on the routes activated in the Marche you can consult them by accessing the following web pages.
Wines and Walks in Lazio
Lazio, however, with “Vini e Cammini” takes travelers to the Way of St. Benedict, a 300 km route that unites Norcia, Subiaco and Montecassino through suggestive paths, medieval villages and natural landscapes. The journey starts from Norcia, passing through Leonessa, famous for its potatoes, and continues through Poggio Bustone, Rieti and the castle of Rocca Sinibalda. Crossing the Aniene valley, you arrive in Subiaco, where the Sanctuary of the Sacro Speco is located. Continuing along the Aniene, you reach Trevi and then the Ernici mountains, with villages such as Vico nel Lazio and Collepardo. The journey continues through Veroli and Arpino, up to the gorges of the Melfa river and finally to Roccasecca, birthplace of Saint Thomas Aquinas, to finally arrive at the Abbey of Montecassino. Along the way, you can taste local food and wine excellences and discover the cultural richness of the region.
Below are the official websites of the Paths and the initiatives in the Region Lazio:
Info and contacts “Wines and Walks”
The list of sites and useful contacts for each region involved in the “Wines and Walks” project can be found on this page. These sites offer detailed information on the routes, tourist attractions along the routes, local food and wine production and other useful details for planning a slow journey through the regions involved.
It is not excluded that, over time, considering the new funds allocated by the Ministry of Tourism, the number of regions joining the initiative will also increase.
