Month: May 2023

Franciacorta is increasingly becoming a haven for slow and sustainable tourism.

After various themed initiatives that have enjoyed growing success in recent years, such as the Cammino Festival, the designation of Bergamo and Brescia as the Italian Capitals of Culture 2023 marks a moment of consecration for all enthusiasts of slow tourism and nature excursions for self-discovery.

Indeed, La via delle Sorelle has been inaugurated, a 130-kilometer multi-stage route that traverses over 30 municipalities, passing through extraordinary historical, artistic, and scenic points of interest. It connects Brescia to Bergamo, the two cities united in this significant year.

Let’s explore together the useful information to embark on a journey along The Path of the Sisters and what we will take away from such a marvelous and yet intimate trip.

La Via delle Sorelle: a journey amidst nature, art, landscape heritage, and human connection.

A journey immersed in greenery that aims to bring forth undiscovered facets of the two provinces, typically known for their strong work and industrial vocations.

La Via delle Sorelle has a noble objective: to showcase a different, surprising side of the Brescia and Bergamo territories, where the well-established phenomenon of urbanization has never overshadowed an excellent landscape heritage that has often remained relatively unknown.

These 130 kilometers provide a precious opportunity to rediscover an authentic connection with nature while walking, not only in well-known locations such as Brescia’s Parco delle Colline and Riserva Naturale delle Torbiere del Sebino, or Bergamo’s Parco dei Colli and Valle di Astino, but also in a deeper sense through the many paths that traverse forests and waterways, ascend and descend hills, and cross roads lined with a long enogastronomic tradition of Wine Routes.

To complement all of this, we find permanent art installations created by artists in a sustainable manner, using natural resources and local materials. These artworks are placed in strategic areas of historical, cultural, or scenic interest and can only be reached on foot. Anyone can contribute to the project by submitting a specific application through the official website.

The Brescia Bergamo route: technical data and main points of interest.

La Via delle Sorelle: is an itinerary open to all types of travelers: solo, couples, groups. The route passes through:

• The two provincial capitals, Brescia and Bergamo, and 34 municipalities
• 2 UNESCO sites: the Venetian walls of the upper town of Bergamo and the monastic complex of San Salvatore-Santa Giulia in Brescia
• 2 regional parks: Parco dei Colli di Bergamo and Parco regionale Oglio Nord
• 6 Local Parks of Supramunicipal Interest: Parco delle Colline di Brescia; Naturalserio, Plis del Monte Bastia e del Roccolo, Plis delle Valli d’Argon, Plis del Malmera, dei Montecchi e del Colle degli Angeli, and Plis dei Castelli del Monte Tomenone
• 1 regional reserve (Torbiere del Sebino) and several other areas of natural interest
• 3 DOC-DOCG wine regions: Franciacorta, Val Calepio, and Terre del Vescovado
• 2 Wine Routes: Franciacorta Wine Route and Valcalepio Wine Route and the Flavors of Bergamasca.

Furthermore, it intersects with other famous routes such as the Ancient Via Valeriana, the 3V Trail, the Cammino di Santa Giulia, the Green Path of the Oglio River, the Via Mercatorum, the Cammino del Vescovado, the Cammino di Carlo Magno, and the Alta Via Delle Grazie.

Other useful information:

• Total length: 130 km
• Elevation gain: 3800 m
• Are accommodation facilities available? Yes
• Is the route accessible to people with disabilities? As it mostly consists of trails with some challenging elevation changes, it cannot be fully navigated by wheelchair users. For visually impaired individuals, it is recommended to contact the association.

It should be noted that this is a two-way route, allowing freedom to choose the starting city. Six stages of approximately 20-25 km each have been identified, but participants are free to organize their journey according to their own needs and preferences in terms of time and manner.

For all the information and things to know before embarking on the journey, please consult the official website of La Via delle Sorelle.

Bornato comes alive again with fragrances and colors with the new edition of Franciacorta in Fiore, which will take place on May 19th, 20th, and 21st, 2023, in the setting of one of the most suggestive ancient villages of this extraordinary corner of Lombardy.

All the news of Franciacorta in Fiore 2023

The first great news is that Franciacorta in Fiore 2023 will take place as tradition wants it, in the beautiful landscape, historical and cultural setting of Bornato and its castle. After a few years during which the event was extended to other municipalities in the area, the hamlet of Cazzago San Martino is once again the focal point of the festival, now at its 24th edition, ready to welcome visitors with its unique beauty.

The second news concerns this year’s theme: “The water that is not there: learning from plants at school“. There will be many moments to reflect together on this precious element for our lives, with workshops, walks, and focus that will accompany us towards a deeper knowledge of plants and their cycle in which not even a drop is wasted, and where everything has a function and responds to a precise balance.

The third news is that Franciacorta in Fiore is included in the schedule of Bergamo Brescia Capital of Culture 2023. This translates into greater involvement of the territory, which thanks to the active collaboration with Terra della Franciacorta and Fondazione Cogeme, will be the center of unmissable initiatives such as guided archaeological walks, the discovery of votive shrines, and activities included in the schedule of “Franciacorta in Fiore… and surroundings“.

What can we expect in Bornato and the surrounding towns for Franciacorta in Fiore 2023? Let’s find out together!

Franciacorta in Fiore 2023: program, initiatives, and events

Prestigious botanical exhibition focused on roses and perennial herbs, Franciacorta in Fiore has hosted since its origins over 100 of the best producers and exhibitors of greenery from all over Italy, carefully selected with the aim of maintaining the high quality of the event and confirming its vocation as an excellent showcase market.

The 2023 program promises to be very rich and mainly consists of:

• participation of the most renowned Franciacorta labels, both in the Franciacorta in Fiore Wine Shop and in the open wineries in the old village
• exhibitions and guided tours
• workshops for children and families
• book presentations
• the Palio della Rosa with parades, medieval games, and many other attractions in which the 6 districts of the village take part.

In addition to this, there are also collateral proposals from “Franciacorta in Fiore… and surroundings”, which aim to enhance and strengthen the union of the territory and which also involve the municipalities of Castegnato, Erbusco, Ome, Paderno Franciacorta, Passirano. Among these, there are well-established projects such as “Scattered gardens”, “Flower-filled balconies and shop windows” and “Today I eat flowers and plants”, and highly anticipated new entries such as tours in the green of Franciacorta, guided visits to cultural and archaeological sites, and the path on foot and by bicycle along the votive shrines.

Discover the detailed program of Franciacorta in Fiore 2023 and the initiatives of Franciacorta in Fiore… e dintorni.

How to participate in Franciacorta in Fiore 2023

The main location of Franciacorta in Fiore 2023 is the Old Village of Bornato (a hamlet of Cazzago San Martino) in the following locations: Castello di Bornato, Cascina Orlando, l’Antica Volta and il Portico del Palazzo Ambrosini Battista, Frutteto Dalola, La Rocca, the meadow, Palazzo Secco d’Aragona and l’Antica Pieve San Bartolomeo.

Franciacorta in Fiore 2023 opening hours:

• Friday, May 19th: from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, May 20th and Sunday, May 21st: from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

On-site ticket prices: €7. Free for children up to 14 years old.
Soon, it will be possible to buy tickets online as well.

For all information, please visit the official website of Franciacorta in Fiore.

Where to stay during Franciacorta in Fiore

Have you decided to take this opportunity to treat yourself to a weekend of relaxation in the heart of Franciacorta?

Just 15 minutes from Bornato, our resort awaits you surrounded by the nature of Monte Orfano with its elegant rooms that preserve the flavor of the past, the SPA reserved for guests, and the San Francesco Kitchen with gourmet proposals from the Chef that combine tradition and local flavors.

For information and reservations, please contact us.