{"id":135338,"date":"2025-05-17T06:25:02","date_gmt":"2025-05-17T04:25:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vetrina.toscana.it\/appunti-di-viaggio-and-girogustando-are-back\/"},"modified":"2025-05-20T12:07:31","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T10:07:31","slug":"appunti-di-viaggio-and-girogustando-are-back","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vetrinatoscana.netseven.work\/en\/appunti-di-viaggio-and-girogustando-are-back\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cAppunti di Viaggio\u201d and \u201cGirogustando\u201d are back"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A journey into the heart of Tuscany through its flavours and cultural heritage: \u201cGirogustando<\/strong>\u201d (the taste, food and wine tour series<\/em>) and \u201cAppunti di Viaggio<\/strong>\u201d (Travel Notes<\/em>) are back, the two series of events that promote the history, art and culture of the Region of Tuscany through its culinary traditions and local food and wine. The event calendars were presented today by Confesercenti Toscana<\/strong> and Toscana Promozione Turistica<\/strong>, creators and promoters of the projects, along with Confesercenti Toscana Assoturismo and Vetrina Toscana. The press conference was attended by Francesco Tapinassi<\/strong>, Director of Toscana Promozione Turistica, Maila Bettaccini<\/strong>, Head of the Tourism Department at Confesercenti Toscana, as well as Sara Piampiani<\/strong> and Massimo Sollazzini<\/strong>, representatives of Appunti di Viaggio and Girogustando for the CAT Confesercenti offices involved in the project.<\/p>\n\n

Food and wine tourism represents an important driving force for Toscana Promozione Turistica in promoting lesser-known destinations, offering the chance to discover artistic treasures and nature trails. Through Vetrina Toscana, and thanks to fruitful collaboration with Unioncamere and the trade associations, it is now presented under a single brand in an increasingly high-quality programme of events, developed by Confesercenti, confirming wine and food as outstanding ambassadors of the territory and key elements of high-quality, sustainable hospitality.<\/p>\n\n

“Once again this year, we are presenting a full calendar of Girogustando and Appunti di Viaggio events, which each year highlight the typical products of our territory as well as its artistic and natural beauty, combining them to create real tourist experiences,” said Maila Bettaccini. “Every year, a new province is added to the list, widening the range of events available to all those who want to discover our Tuscany. This year, the province of Arezzo joins Girogustando, bringing the number of provinces involved to four, while Appunti di Viaggio now has seven provinces, with Grosseto as the latest addition. As Confesercenti Toscana, we can only appreciate the cooperation between the territories, which shows that everyone is working towards the common goal of promoting the territory”.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cThe local events of Vetrina Toscana continue to grow in quality, number and visibility thanks to the collaboration with Unioncamere and the trade associations,\u201d said Francesco Tapinassi. \u201cConfesercenti has successfully developed two well-established formats: Girogustando, which promotes cooperation and exchange between chefs, and Appunti di Viaggio, which offers encounters between food and wine culture, art, landscape and well-being, with new itineraries inspired by the Vetrina Toscana slogan: A journey within a journey<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

All the information about the events in the two series is available on the official Vetrina Toscana website: www.vetrina.toscana.it<\/a><\/p>\n\n

GIROGUSTANDO 2025<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

A two-way exchange and collaboration between Siena, Rome and the Maremma, and one \u201con board the cellars\u201d between Montepulciano and Cilento. This is how the new season of Girogustando begins\u2014the series of meetings between chefs created by Confesercenti, which in 2025 reaches its 24th edition. In addition to the Siena area, the territories of Arezzo, Grosseto and Pistoia will also host events in the coming months. The distinctive format remains unchanged: the heart of each event will be a one-of-a-kind four-handed menu, created specially for the occasion by the chef of the host restaurant and a colleague arriving from another part of Italy.<\/p>\n\n

For the opening evening<\/strong>, Girogustando will reach the territory of the Val di Merse<\/strong> for the first time\u2014an intimate and fascinating area of the Sienese countryside. On Friday May 16<\/strong>, at the Cantina del Poggiaccio in Sovicille, the spotlight will be on Vincenzo Serino, executive chef of Omnia Hotels in Rome, and Lorenzo Aitiani, resident chef at Il Poggiaccio. Their four-handed menu will combine flavours from the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Montagnola Senese, with dishes such as sea bream carpaccio marinated with Vernaccia wine and Maremma-style risotto with asparagus and Sorano saffron; the grand finale will be a Caprese chocolate cake with Amalfi lemon custard. The event, accompanied by Chianti Colli Senesi wines and live music, will take place beneath the striking 15th-century vaulted ceilings of the historic residence Borgo Il Poggiaccio: a true food and wine experience, also presented as a form of tourist hospitality. The Friday evening event will also serve as the basis for a weekend stay offer, open to Girogustando attendees and beyond.<\/p>\n\n

A few days later, on Thursday June 5<\/strong>, the first stop in Siena<\/strong>. An evening that promises to be decidedly lively. In Piazza Matteotti, right in the centre of the city, Taz will host Morgante, arriving from Gavorrano: a meeting between two young businesses, strongly focused on combining creativity and professionalism, who for Girogustando will create a shared offer in both food and drink, also drawing on the recognition Taz received with \u201cIddu,\u201d a gin conceived between Siena and the island of Stromboli, at the Italian industry awards in 2024.<\/p>\n\n

The spring series of four-handed events will conclude on Thursday June 26,<\/strong> in the atmospheric setting of Indigeno Cucina Terrestre at Salcheto, an organic winery with a view over Montepulciano. The guest on this occasion will be the Dispensa di San Salvatore, the restaurant of the farm and wine estate of the same name in Capaccio Paestum (Salerno), in the Cilento National Park. The two businesses share many similarities: both use organic production methods and follow a clearly sustainable approach. In the shared menu, they will offer dishes made with their own ingredients, from Tuscan goose to Campanian buffalo, from Sangiovese to Aglianico, including vegetables from their gardens. The two-way exchange and collaboration will extend to both food and wine: each of the two businesses will present two wines and two dishes to the public, pairing them with each other. A food and wine divertissement that will further highlight the spirit of Vetrina Toscana.<\/p>\n\n

After the summer break, between September and December, the series will offer 18 events in restaurants in Arezzo, Grosseto and Pistoia, as well as in Siena. The Girogustando autumn programme will once again include spa dining: after the well-received \u201cfirst\u201d in 2024, another four-handed dinner is planned by the pool, followed by the opportunity of a leisurely swim. The autumn calendar will also open up to ethnic cuisine, with a menu combining Indian and ramen dishes made with Tuscan ingredients, and will experiment with the revival of sustainable techniques, using hayboxes to create a menu suitable even for coeliacs. Among the incoming guests is the Ristorante del Labirinto di Adriano, a historical and archaeological site in Orvieto, which will appear at Bagno Moderno in Marina di Grosseto. At the end of the year, there will be two new training opportunities for the chefs of tomorrow, with students from the Artusi Hospitality School in Chianciano and the Leopoldo di Lorena in Grosseto involved in two cooking lessons. All Girogustando events are open to the public: details about the spring events (and in the coming weeks also about the autumn ones) are published on www.girogustando.tv<\/a> and www.vetrina.toscana.it<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

APPUNTI DI VIAGGIO 2025\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

\u201cAppunti di Viaggio. <\/strong>Stories of Tuscany through culture and food\u201d<\/strong> represents a journey where culture, territory and food and wine come together. Across the provinces of Siena, Arezzo, Prato, Pistoia, Livorno, Pisa and Grosseto, we will discover unknown places, local traditions of the territories, and local culinary culture.<\/p>\n\n

The project aims to highlight the identity of the various territories and provinces involved, allowing visitors to experience a sense of connection with the places themselves.<\/p>\n\n

A new calendar of events, once again this year, for this format that translates into new experiences for visitors\u2014a journey of discovery through guided tours, tastings, lunches and dinners. We will feel like an integral part of the territory, not distracted visitors but responsible tourists who become part of the territory and the local community.<\/p>\n\n

PRATO<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

SATURDAY MAY 10 2025 \u2013 THE ALPACA TREK<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

A trek to discover the historic Rocca di Cerbaia, a visit to the alpaca farm with a hand spinning workshop, and a traditional afternoon snack. We will admire the views over the Valbisenzio as we reach the historic Rocca Cerbaia, residence of the Alberti Counts, mentioned by Dante Alighieri in Canto XXXII of the Inferno. We will follow the Dante trail, with scenic views of the Rocca, woods, and small waterfalls. From the panoramic clearing in front of the ancient castle, we will take in splendid views over the Val di Bisenzio and the Apennine hills. The return journey will end in Montecuccoli, between the Valbisenzio and Mugello, known for the Church of San Michele and for hosting Garibaldi in 1849. Then we will get back in the cars and head to \u201cAntico Feudo Alpacas\u201d for a walk through the pastures, in close contact with wonderful alpacas. Afterwards, we will take part in a hand spinning workshop, from fibre to yarn, with a hands-on spindle spinning activity. At the end of the workshop, a tasty afternoon snack with traditional products will be waiting for us.<\/p>\n\n

SATURDAY MAY 24 2025 – IN SEARCH OF WATERFALLS AND MONUMENTAL TREES<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The Circuit of the Fortress of Montemurlo route leads to the Massacorbi waterfalls, with breathtaking views of the surrounding nature, and winds through green trails, woods and meadows, on a journey to discover the historic Rocca, an imposing medieval fortress. Along the way, you can also admire the picturesque Massacorbi waterfalls, where the flowing water creates spectacular scenery. The route, of moderate difficulty, is ideal for those who enjoy walking in the open air and discovering natural and historical beauty. At the end of the route, there will be a stop at the \u201cI Due Mastri\u201d brewery: a passion for craft beer led the owners to develop a traditional production project based on careful selection of raw materials and protection of the territory, always with an eye on innovation. In 2024, the brewery obtained IFS (International Food Standard) certification.<\/p>\n\n

SATURDAY JUNE 14 2025 \u2013 THE <\/strong>\u201cBROOM SHRUBS AND INDUSTRIAL ARCHAEOLOGY\u201d TREKKING\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\u201cBroom Shrubs and Industrial Archaeology\u201d is a trek that winds through nature and historical traces of the area, offering a double loop on Poggio Castiglione and Poggio Bartoli. The route passes through woods, meadows and clearings, with views over the Tuscan Apennines, also exploring the signs of industrial activity that have shaped the territory. Along the way, there are several industrial archaeology sites\u2014remains of old mines or abandoned structures\u2014that tell the story of local industry, connected to ironworking and the production of materials used in past centuries. The double loop offers the chance to explore both Poggio Castiglione and Poggio Bartoli, two scenic points from which you can admire wide views over the Tuscan hills. Packed lunch with products provided by the Enogastronomia Calamai food and wine company.<\/p>\n\n

SATURDAY JUNE 21 2025 – SUMMER TREK, THE SUMMER SOLSTICE IN MONTEPIANO<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

A trek among rugged mountains and locally produced gin, in the mountains on the border between Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna. Here lies Montepiano, a holiday destination known since the 1950s as a mountain resort for the peace it offers. The loop trail mostly takes place in the dense woods of the Cottede Forest, alternating chestnut trees, beeches and firs. The path crosses the regional road 325 of the Val di Bisenzio and Val di Setta, as well as the Wool and Silk Route, continuing to Lake Galletti and finally Tavianella. On the way back, we will enjoy an aperitif to welcome the arrival of summer, at the well-known grocery-bar \u201cGastone\u2019s\u201d. The eclectic owner will host us in his gastronomic island, where authentic flavours come to life, and we will taste a platter of artisanal cured meats and cheeses with mountain aromas, along with a fantastic cocktail made with locally produced gin.<\/p>\n\n

SATURDAY JUNE 28 2025 – FROM FIGLINE TO FIGLINE: THE SERPENTINE STONE OF PRATO<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Monteferrato is a protected area known since ancient times for its green marble quarries (called serpentine), used to decorate the fa\u00e7ades of the most famous churches in Tuscany. The three humps of Monteferrato, located between the municipalities of Montemurlo, Vaiano and Prato, are known as Poggio Ferrato (420 metres), Monte Mezzano (390), and Monte Piccioli (363). The iron-rich soil of Monteferrato is clearly visible and is not well suited to the growth of tall vegetation. These rocks are known as ophiolites, sections of oceanic crust that have been uplifted and layered over continental crust. The name comes from Greek and means \u201csnake rock,\u201d due to the green colour. At the end of the trek, there will be a stop at the \u201cConti di Villa Fiorita\u201d butcher\u2019s shop for a tasting of local products, in particular the famous Mortadella di Prato, a recognised Slow Food heritage product.<\/p>\n\n

SATURDAY JULY 26 2025 – MOUNTAIN TREK<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

A trek through mountain pastures, woods and meadows, with lunch\/tasting at the mountain refuge \u201cPoggio di Petto\u201d. We will immerse ourselves in the landscapes of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines with their dense forests. Starting from around 700 metres in Montepiano and climbing to 1100 metres at the alpine refuge of Poggio di Petto, we will watch the landscape change. The first part features chestnut groves and hazelnut trees, which reach majestic size near the Badia. As we gain altitude, the landscape gives way to dense beech woods, and in the final section, to areas covered with pines and firs, typical of the higher Apennine zones. Following trail 25, we will reach the ridge covered with grasslands and pastures, offering an unparalleled view. From the cross of Poggio di Petto, the view stretches across the Prato and Pistoia Apennines, the Val di Bisenzio, and as far as the Mugello, with Lake Bilancino and, in the distance, the mountains of the Casentino and the Upper Mugello. From the cross, we will finally reach the Poggio di Petto Refuge, where a generous meal is planned.<\/p>\n\n

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 6 2025 – TREKKING \u201cAMONG THE BEECH TREES AND PARTISANS\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The route \u201cAmong the Beech Trees of the Partisans\u201d starts from the Vallupaia Park and reaches Monte Javello, crossing an area linked to the history of the Resistance. The trail follows a panoramic mule track through a beech forest, with a striking atmosphere. The route has a moderate elevation gain, a length of about 6\u20137 km, and takes around 2\u20133 hours, depending on the pace. It is classified as medium difficulty, suitable for hikers with a minimum level of physical preparation. Along the way, there are several scenic viewpoints and markers of the partisan struggle, and from Mount Javello, there is a panoramic view over the valley and surrounding mountains. During the hike, participants will taste biscuits and sweets from the historic bakery \u201cSteno\u201d of Vaiano, a family-run artisan business that uses selected ingredients, with attention to tradition and a focus on flavour and the typical character of Tuscan products. The guide will share the story of the bakery.<\/p>\n\n

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 20 2025 – CONTEMPORARY PRATO AND STREET ART<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Prato and Street Art. Along the banks of the Bisenzio River and into the historic centre, the route offers a fascinating immersion in the history, nature and architecture of Prato. A journey through key places of contemporary culture, telling the story of the bond between local patrons and the main figures of modern art:<\/p>\n\n