Minister Franceschini has declared 2017 the year of the borghi in Italy, an opportunity for these places to showcase their history, culture and traditions, and for tourists to rediscover extraordinary territories.
They are the cradle of traditions, atmospheres and philosophies of hospitality and of life that we particularly appreciate – and our country is rich in them, from north to south: now the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Activities and Tourism has also recognised their importance, declaring 2017 the year of the borghi in Italy.
There are a great many of them, throughout Italy, each special in its own way – territories that foster a new kind of tourism, of getting to know a place, of awareness of its cultural, artistic and environmental heritage. A slow tourism – "slow" as the saying goes nowadays – and "green", one that leads the traveller to truly savour the philosophy and traditions that a borgo preserves: the new year, 2017, will be an excellent opportunity to discover or rediscover these places, a great heritage of Italy.
On declaring 2017 the year of the borghi in Italy, Minister Franceschini stated: "The borghi that dot the territory of our regions, rich in history, culture and traditions, are the cornerstone for the growth of sustainable tourism, capable of creating authentic experiences for visitors and of enabling the harmonious development of the communities that live there. The year of the borghi will be an important moment to promote these realities, which contribute so much to quality of life in our country".
Let us not forget, in fact, that this will also be the year of sustainable tourism for development: two projects that go hand in hand and aim both at bringing little-known territories to the wider public – territories of great environmental and cultural value – and at creating a new kind of tourism that encourages the development of a sound local economy.
Concretely, during 2017 the Committee for Italian tourist borghi will be established and work will begin on drawing up guidelines and models to support the organisation of a national Forum on the borghi, with a view to producing the Atlante dei borghi d'Italia and launching the annual borgo smart award for the local community that has proved most active in innovating its tourism offering.
Varied landscapes, cultural offerings to suit every taste, the most diverse of traditions: on LifeGate too we have often proposed itineraries through Italy's borghi. From north to south, these places – almost always little known, sparsely populated and tucked away – can satisfy every kind of desire, provided that what one is essentially looking for is a break from the hectic everyday life that leaves no room for what the territory has to offer.
So if you want to go in search of outstanding culinary specialities, here is the right itinerary, highlighting the borghi that, the length of the peninsula, guarantee delicious and indulgent stops.
If, on the other hand, it is complete peace and relaxation that one longs for, these borghi will, with simplicity, welcome the traveller into an almost unreal silence. Similar atmospheres are to be found in three places reachable without a car, accessible only on foot – perhaps with a little effort and few comforts, but rewarding visitors with evocative scenery and enchanting surroundings on arrival.
There are many of them throughout Italy, and if choosing proves difficult it is possible to consult the website of the most beautiful borghi in Italy, from which, every year, "il borgo dei borghi" is chosen: the most beautiful of all. Last year the title was won by Montalbano Elicona in Sicily; in spring we will learn the winning borgo of 2017.