The
slowness is both the philosophy and the suggestion of
this publication, which intends to be a guide of itineraries
of a territory with its extraordinary plenty of breath-taking
landscapes, history, culture and flavours often - and
unjustly - considered as a minor one. 'Minor' because
out of the ways of communication covered by coaches dripping
with tourism "eat and go" which steals tranquillity wherever
it goes and does not have the instruments to capture the
aesthetic sense of places and things, leaving to the local
economy nothing more than the price of a can of soft drink
and a sandwich. The wealth expressed by these territories
can be fully appreciated and understood only slowly, with
the respect due to mankind and its ability of transforming
and regenerating the surrounding environment along the
centuries, without ever distorting it. For this reason
we address to those who travel with the spirit of the
traveller, rather than of the tourist.
The Councils involved in the projects are those placed
along the itineraries of the Via Cassia, in the several
wavy ridges and valleys of the Via Francigena. Starting
from the High Val D'Elsa and covering the path and white
roads in between San Gimignano, Poggibonsi and Colle,
through the ancient networks of roads made newly available
thanks the intervention of the Councils, Province and
the Tuscan region, we reach Casole. Then we go south until
Montalcino, passing through the forests of the Merse valley,
among small churches, castles and ruins. All the footpaths
can be covered by foot, bike or by horse. The time of
the distance will be indicated, together with the panoramic
views, the presence of historical settlings worthwhile
a visit, the farms-guest houses where to sleep, the farms
and the products and wines one can buy, with a special
attention for those products obtained with biological
and ecological systems of productions.
Autori:
Davide Paolini,
Roberto Rossi, Michele Taddei
The
guide in Italian/English will be available in bookshops
by the end of October.
