Experiential tourism in Italy. This is the theme of the itCaffè which saw numerous collaborators of italiani.it as protagonists, in connection from different nations of the world. Italy, France, England, Argentina, Spain. A virtual tour to share emotions and feelings of what is called 'experiential tourism', that is, a journey in search of oneself, of the soul of the places, of one's roots. To introduce the'itCoffee the publisher of italiani.it Paola Stranges and the editorial director Luca Meli.
The director of the italiani.it Foundation, Lorenzo Stranges, also greeted the participants in the video conference. Special guests were the exponents Giacomo Gervasio and Francesca Crispino, representing the tour operator Greenwood who will soon undertake new thematic initiatives in collaboration with italiani.it. The community managers Amira Giudice and Raffaella Natale coordinated the interventions.
Experiential tourism
It is written experiential tourism and is declined in a myriad of meanings and aspects. From slow and sustainable tourism to nature trails; from religious journeys to return trips of the children and grandchildren of Italian emigrants abroad. The travel and holiday experience related to it acquires more and more new dimensions that refer to very strong ties, rooted with the history and culture of the places.
We are no longer satisfied simply to spend a short holiday by the sea or in the mountains, or in any pleasant location, just for the sake of having fun or relaxing. The experiential tourist asks for more: he wants to know the traditions, the origins of a specific geographical area. The direct relationship with nature is strongly preferred. We want to savor the aromas and flavors of the past that resist trends especially in ancient villages.
I went to visit the country of my ancestors
This is the leitmotif of the testimonies that came from Argentina. Mariel Pitton and Marina Artese told about their trip to Calabria in search of the birthplace of their grandparents. A full immersion in that Calabrian nature that their family of origin also brought with them to their second homeland, Argentina.
The nostalgia that takes you when you are away
Chiara Pizzino, collaborator of itLondra expressed the great desire to return to hers Taormina, in Sicily. A slice of heaven on earth that you will fall in love with forever. Francesca Chiefari (itBarcelona), originally from Calabria, would like to try her hand at The Basilian Way which the Calabria Region has recently established. Seventy-two stages through woods and suggestive villages to touch the beauty of the Calabrian land that is often only known from tourist brochures.
Experiential tourism and paths
Serena Mascoli (itParis) went back in thought, highlighting the spiritual intensity of Santiago's walk, done some time ago. Cristina Campolonghi (itVenezia) also emphasized the great attention that is developing around the paths that are scattered throughout Italy. Among these the Via Germanica which starts from Brenner and arrives in Rome and the Campo Sampiero path or the path of Sant'Antonio da Padova which ends in La Verna. Marco Doati (itAdria) pointed out that the city of Adria is a small Holland as it is below sea level. In this regard, the itAdria group is studying the itineraries project to be promoted on the itali.it itCittà. Vincenzo Zocco (itNicolosi) illustrated the paths created to go to the discovery of Etna as the path Back of the donkey in the Bove valley.
Federica Puglisi (itPalazzolo) spoke about the Valley of the mills where tourists can grind flour and prepare typical dishes, rediscovering moments of rural life from the past. For Stefano Vecchione (itCosenza) travelers arriving from the East passed through ancient Calabria. In fact, according to historical sources, both the Holy Shroud the Holy Grail, or the shroud and the cup of the last supper of Jesus.
Traditions also respected overseas
Simona Aiuti (itFrosinone) pointed out that among Italian emigrants abroad, the cult for the saints of their country of origin remains intact. A very strong and deep-rooted devotion thanks to which the Italians who live from one end of the world to the other keep intact even the modalities of religious rites. Not only saints and celebrations but also a lot of popular culture that is jealously guarded by the communities of emigrants of Italian origin. This was reiterated by Sante Blasi (itCosenza) reliving a trip to New York on the occasion of the Columbus Day. Italian-Americans even keep their traditional costumes and when they have guests from Italy they don't hesitate to party. Even with laden tables full of typical dishes of the beautiful country.
Greenwood
Giacomo Gervasio and Francesca Crispino declared: “We live the territory in all its landscape and anthropological aspects.
We have walked a lot among the wolves and we know the territory in its wildest notes. A new exciting bet is born with italiani.it. We want to introduce the world to an extraordinary country called Italy ”.
Yoorit, the experiential tourism portal
Lorenzo Stranges highlighted the mission of Yoorit.com, the experiential tourism site that is part of the project of italiani.it.
A portal born from the desire to promote and export the magical experience of Italy and the Italian spirit to the world.
