ITALY LAUNCHING “REDISCOVERING ROOTS” YEAR
The “Borghi Piu Belli d'Italia Association” has finally brought out is long-awaited guide book in English, under the title “The Most Beautiful Borghi of Italy”. The word “borghi” was not translated on purpose, because the “Borghi” are not simply pretty villages, but historical old towns full of works of art, landmark buildings and monuments, harmonious architecture and exclusive places of interest.
The Association, founded in 2001 to promote villages and towns outside the normal tourism circuits, has boomed over the years and now has a membership of 348 small towns scattered all over the Italian peninsula – a considerable number, considering that membership is governed by a strict criteria with 72 different parameters that have to be met to qualify.
The new English language edition was presented in London at the beginning of 2022 and will be launched in New York and Canada later in the year, in concurrence with the 2024 “Anno del Turismo delle Radici” (directed at 3rd and 4th generation Italian immigrants to encourage them to visit Italy in order to rediscover their roots), promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI).
The borghi listed in the book have a wide range of unexpected attractions that distinguish them from the others. Some examples: Scanno in Abruzzo is celebrated for its heart-shaped lake (a favourite for St. Valentine trips), Monteverde in Campania is the chosen nesting place for the rare black stork, little Bouville Ernica in the hinterland of Lazio possesses a forgotten Giotto angel.
Info: Tel. +39.06.45450688 www.borghipiubelliditalia.it