May at Lago Maggiore

#LagoMaggiore #Varese #italy #italia #paragliding #Lake #nature

The never-ending staircase from the station to Siena's old town is just an anticipation of a place that seems to look up to heaven. Not content with the astonishing views from its privileged spot on the top of a hill, the Cathedral tower rivals the civil emblem of Piazza del Campo, which dominates the square that some days a year becomes the most epic horse racing stadium (Il Palio). Tradition really matters here, and we got a real taste of it at the feast of a Contrada (one of the neighborhoods that competes for the city's pride at the Palio) and by happening upon a drumming parade that made our room quake. Not bad for a weekend stopover from our Tuscany trip.

#Siena #Toscana #Tuscany #Italia #italy #architecture #heritage #urbanphotography #urban #urbanspace

Getting to the Balconata del Picuz by bike means struggling through an explosive climb, constant steepness over double digits, and a small walk after leaving the unpaved way to San Clemente. But the views of Lago Maggiore and the +4000m high mountains around Simplon Pass really pay off. Especially on a spring day with blooming flowers.

#Varese #Sangiano #LagoMaggiore #Lake #mountains #Alps

April will she come.

Shiny blues, deep green, awakening forests.

#Verbano #italy #Hiking #Forest #Lake #varese

We were tired when we finally arrived in Matera. A full day of walking under the sun, however, was no reason not to be in awe of its dramatic view, just around the corner leading to an apparently common alley. The old city really seems dug into the rock, and the evening lights only underscored its details and uneven shapes more. The following day we took a bit of distance, descending and climbing a canyon, and we heard the mourning bells of the city for Pope Francis' death. What a moment for a fascinating landscape.

#Matera #Puglia #italy #oldtown #architecture #landscape #italia

Cammino Materano, Puglia, April 2025.

As soon as we left Altamura, we realized that the silence of those green fields and gentle hills would be broken only by our chats and jokes. There was time for happy conversation, laughs, but also silence, struggle, and reflection walking towards the final goal: the astonishing old city of Matera. On our way there—more than 70 km in three days—we only found one sign of urbanity: Gravina in Puglia, which became a magnificent anticipation with its old cave houses, its well-cared-for old town, and the old bridge flying over a canyon. The rest of the trail was mostly strolled under a rigorous sun, as shade was not very common, and water was scarce—no fountains on the way! We could break away from routine, unplug our computers, and focus on what's only visible when embracing slowness. Not bad at all.

#CamminoMaterano #Puglia #Altamura #GravinaInPuglia #Matera #Italia #Hiking #WalkingTrip #Cammini #SlowTravel #TravelItaly #OutdoorAdventure #Italy