The journey to discover a place, a culture, a corner of the world undoubtedly also goes through food. Every dish we taste tells us a story, an identity, a relationship with nature.

If you too believe that gastronomic experiences are a key element of travel and always seek information in advance about local products and traditional recipes, we have a destination to recommend that you absolutely cannot miss.

A little-known and incredibly authentic corner of Piedmont offers an interesting cuisine and a wide variety of renowned local products: the Valle Maira.

Impressive mountains, endless forests, and vast meadows give life to a wild and enchanting land that continues to maintain timeless charm and unspoiled nature. The villages of Valle Maira live every day the most authentic mountain experience, perhaps different from what we know, more rugged but at the same time welcoming and poignant.

The ancient Occitan gastronomic tradition

In Valle Maira, ancient Occitan traditions meet Piedmontese traditions. Even in the kitchen. The result of this union is something to taste and discover! Each dish reflects the people’s connection with nature and the mountains: the flavors are simple and genuine, strongly linked to what the land produces season after season.

The trade of anchovies, whose origins are still unknown, has enriched and influenced the local cuisine. There’s Bagna Cauda, which accompanies seasonal vegetables, but there are also numerous other recipes that make this fish an important protagonist, celebrated during the feast of San Marcelin and the Anchovy Fair in Macra and Dronero. Another absolute star of the mountain cuisine of Valle Maira is the potato. It is used, for example, to prepare ravioles, dumplings made of potatoes, flour, and eggs, seasoned with butter and cream, or the rich one-pot dish called Mato. Another typical Occitan recipe no traveler should miss is gnocchi al Castelmagno.

Among the local produce, we also mention honey, cheeses, and the particular gogiu pear.

A holiday in Valle Maira

Valle Maira captivates us right from the start with its flavors, but not only that. It is a perfect destination for those who want to experience the mountain in an authentic way and for all nature and outdoor activities enthusiasts. Located among the Cozie Alps, the valley offers breathtaking landscapes, hiking trails, and a variety of sports activities for all levels.

Valle Maira offers hikers an extensive network of trails that wind through forests, alpine meadows, and small mountain villages. You can choose from hikes of varying difficulty, from a tranquil walk along flat trails to the more challenging ascent of alpine peaks. Cycling enthusiasts will find numerous routes in Valle Maira suitable for both mountain biking and road cycling. There are also climbing walls, opportunities for water sports, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing itineraries.

Where to stay sustainably and green in the villages of Valle Maira

Valle Maira consists of 13 municipalities and numerous small villages where life flows slowly and in harmony with the surrounding environment. To fully experience this atmosphere and the mountain way of life, there is no better place than Borgata Sagna Rotonda.

It is a small mountain village restored to its ancient splendor by Giovanni and Teresina, who renovated what remained while considering the historical value of the buildings and using modern construction and plant techniques, as well as alternative and environmentally friendly energy sources. Now Sagna Rotonda offers 10 cozy and comfortable housing units, perfect for a zero-impact stay in Valle Maira.

Inside an old stone-vaulted stable, a small wellness area has been created, exclusively reserved for an hour for those who make a reservation. After a day exploring the flavors and landscapes of this lesser-known corner of Piedmont, you can enjoy the warmth of a Finnish sauna experience, interspersed with immersion in a tub filled with mountain spring water.

To continue exploring the unique flavors of Valle Maira, in Sagna Rotonda you will also find a small shop selling the best local products: honey, jams, flours, biscuits, as well as excellent wines, liqueurs, and craft beers. In the organic garden of Sagna Rotonda, you can freely pick seasonal vegetables, and in a nearby farm you can buy excellent cheeses, yogurt, and fresh milk, enjoying genuine products and at the same time supporting the local economy.

Are you ready to experience a holiday among the unique flavors and landscapes of the Maira Valley?

The article Valle Maira, a treasure to be discovered between cuisine and landscapes was originally posted on Ecobnb.

Here it is, nestled between the green of the Alps and the dense woods of the hills. We are in front of Lake Orta, an unmissable destination for all those who are in Piedmont. Of course, it’s not as majestic as Lake Maggiore, or glamorous like the more famous Lake Como. But, precisely because of its more human-sized dimensions and its rustic aspect, Lake Orta has an even more engaging and evocative beauty.

Photo via Canva Pro

The bicycle is perfect for following its contours and for discovering the small villages that dot its banks. Once in the saddle, we are ready to face the 40 kilometers of the Blue Ring, a route that follows the circumnavigation of the lake. Ideally, the starting point is Orta, but you can start in any other town overlooking the lake. The itinerary does not present major difficulties, except for a few short climbs, but given its length, it is still advisable for those who are a little trained.

Photo via Canva Pro

It is all a succession of coves and equipped beaches, pine forests, historic villas, architectural treasures, reeds, woods, ancient villages. Honoré de Balzac, one of the many writers who fell in love with Lake Orta, described it well. He wrote: “A delightful little lake, like Lake Orta at the foot of Monte Rosa, an island lying in its calm waters, flirtatious and simple, natural yet adorned, solitary and well accompanied: elegant groves of trees, statues of beautiful effect. All around, shores now cultivated now wild: the grandiose and its tumults outside, within human proportions“.
The path is perfectly marked and certainly, there is no lack of opportunities to make stops.

What to see on Lake Orta

Photo via Canva

The Blue Ring allows us to discover romantic villages, prehistoric caves, historic buildings, Romanesque basilicas, unspoiled nature, and panoramic balconies; all from our bike. For example, there is Omegna, the main center of Lake Orta. Located on the northern offshoot of the lake, the village offers us a suggestive lakeside promenade and picturesque views. Do not miss Porta Romana, the collegiate church of S’Ambrogio, and the Romanesque church of San Gaudenzio.

Photo via Canva Pro

Orta San Giulio is certainly a must. Walking through the characteristic alleys full of stately buildings and elegant arcades, we fully experience the charm of Lake Orta. In front of the village, there is also the gem of the lake: San Giulio Island. Accessible by small boats, the island now houses a female monastery, but also ancient residences, splendid gardens, and the beautiful Basilica of San Giulio.

Photo via Canva Pro

But Lake Orta still gives us many jewels: the eighteenth-century palaces and elegant villas of Miasino, the Sacro Monte Nature Reserve, the ancient village of Pella, and Mount Mottarone. Riding your bike you feel part of these places, where life flows slowly and in close contact with nature.

A green stay with a lake view

True, the Blue Ring allows us to go around the lake in three hours. But why not stop for a few days and relax? A few steps from Lake Orta, there’s B&B Melizio, an old stone mill renovated with love and inserted in a highly suggestive context.

The article Tour of Lake Orta by bike, between villages and beaches was originally posted on Ecobnb.

Discover some of the wonders of Italy while staying in suggestive historic houses turned into eco-friendly villas, Alberghi Diffusi or elegant, family-run b&b.

The elegance of Parma

photo by Angel via Flickr

Parma is a quiet and friendly town that embodies rich treasures: the beautiful Baptistery, the elegant gardens, numerous historic houses and the Farnesi Theatre, all wrapped in an incredible atmosphere. It is a city of art and good food, surrounded by an amazing nature.

Where to stay: a few steps from Piazza del Battistero, in the historic heart of the ducal city, a beautiful eighteenth-century palace has been converted into a stylish bed and breakfast where you can enjoy a tasty breakfast served in the room.

History and Nature in Caderzone Terme, Trentino

In the heart of Piedmont there’s a pearl set among thick woods and mountains.

In the heart of the Adamello Brenta Natural Park there is a pearl set between dense forests and mountains. It is the enchanting village of Caderzone Terme. Here, the thermal water with its ferruginous beneficial properties flows from the spring above the town. With its narrow and winding streets and its glimpses of the mountains, it will give you unexpected corners of beauty.

Where tostay: Palazzo Lodron Bertelli invites you to spend a romantic holiday in one of its suites with four-poster beds and whirlpools inside a fairy-tale palace, recovered in an eco-sustainable way.

Lemons and the Baroque Sicily

photo by Michiluzzu via Flick

The scent of lemon trees, baroque palaces, places of Montalbano and the most southern coast of Europe: doesn’t seem the perfect location for your next holiday? Discover Scicli, a picturesque village in Sicily, a place inhabited since prehistoric times characterized by rocky landscape, rich in caves. Baroque here has some of its greatest expressions, and is also why the town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Where to stay: some historic houses in this picturesque village have been converted into a beautiful Albergo Diffuso where you can fully enjoy the unusual atmosphere of this enchanted place.

A noble residence in the mountains

In the mountains of Friuli Venezia Giulia, a short distance from Pordenone, is a small town where art, history, nature and food come together, creating a small oasis. Polcenigo and its green surroundings offer travelers many attractions and secret destinations such as the Ecomuseum of the Friulian Dolomites, the lake-dwelling site of Palù di Livenza, the Museum of Cookery and the Rural Park “Europark” Saint Florian, the only example of the existing natural and rural park in Italy.

Where to stay: B&B Palazzo Scolari is in a noble residence of the sixteenth century.

Nature and cuisine of Emilia

photo by Roberto Ferrari via Flickr

Do you want to immerse yourself in the green? Visit Santa Sofia, Emilia Romagna, a small town surrounded by the nature of the Casentino National Park. It is a perfect destination for a gourmet holiday, you can’t miss the tortello alla lastra, filled with pumpkin and potatoes!

Where to stay: in a sixteenth century palace, former municipal hall of a town that no longer exists, where you will find comfortable studios.

Live an experience of the past, discover the Italian history and the cultural heritage traveling through historic houses, stately mansions and historical residences for unforgettable weekend of charm and fairy-tale atmosphere.

The article Guests at Palace: Charming Weekend in Historic Houses in Italy was originally posted on Ecobnb.

According to recent studies, being in touch with nature, even for a few hours, has several benefits on our mental and physical health.

The study, carried out by researchers at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom and published in Scientific Reports, involved about 20 thousand people who spent some time in contact with nature. After a careful analysis of the results, it was found that all those who had spent at least 120 minutes a week in nature, had psycho but also physical improvements. That’s a thing we all should do: from 10 to 60 minutes per day are enough to start noticing relevant results.

Photo by Adam Kool via unsplash

10 ideas for your next escape in Nature

Boosting both your mood and your attention span are only two of the main benefits of being in contact with nature. So, why don’t you start planning your eco-vacation? Here you are, 10 special eco-friendly locations where you can relax and switch off.

1. Here you’ll sleep on a bed of straw, in an oasis of biodiversity

Oasi Galbusera Bianca, Lombardia

In this magnificent bio-farm in the province of Lecco, 40 km from Milan and 20 from Como, you can enjoy a holiday in the unspoilt nature of a WWF oasis for biodiversity. The ancient village offers you the chance to sleep on a bed of straw or in a room immersed by the colors of the peonies. In the bio-tavern you can also enjoy local and vegan menus.

2. Live a vegan experience

Ritorno alla Natura, Marche

Discover this organic and vegan farm is the right place. As a matter of fact, you will be immersed in the enchanting landscape of the hills of Recanati, in the Marche region. You can also enjoy delicious outdoor lunches based on organic and local products.

3. Find some relax in a botanical garden

The Mortola Tower Luxury Eco Resort, Liguria

This is a charming residence from 1500. Here, you can find twenty thousand square meters of botanical garden. Also, this facility reduces energy waste, uses eco-friendly cleaning products and saves rainwater. There’s also a special spa, with a particular kind of aloe, biologically grown by the owner.

4. Here you can enjoy the atmosphere of a typical farm

Maso Azzurro Charming B&B, Trentino

A beautiful farm in the ancient village of Premione, surrounded by the nature of the Adamello Brenta Nature Park, in Trentino. As a matter of fact, this wonderful place boasts two beautiful panoramic terraces, a living room with fireplace and safe parking for bikes.

5. Perfect for those who want to experience a wellness holiday

Natur und Wanderhotel Rainer, Alto Adige

If you want to get away from everyday stress and look for a wellness holiday to relax, this hotel is suitable for you. It is, in fact, characterized by nature and tradition. They also give the chance to organize excursions in South Tyrol.

6. Live an experience in an ancient farmhouse

Cascina Rodiani – green hospitality, Lombardy

In 2011 Cascina Rodiani was born. It’s a hotel with low environmental impact. In addition, it is located on the top of the Mount Drezzo, surrounded by a magnificent hilly landscape, within the Spina Verde Regional Park of Como.

7.  Stay in a village surrounded by the mountains

Borgata Sagna Rotonda, Piemonte

Sagna Rotonda is an eco-sustainable village, located in the unspoilt nature of the Piedmont mountains. Initially it has been abandoned for years, however, it was subsequently recovered in an eco-friendly way, taking into account the historical value of the ancient buildings and adding new eco-friendly energy sources.

8. Unforgettable Glamping in Tuscany

Podere di Maggio, Toscana

Near the Mount Amiata, in the unspoilt valley of the Fiora river, there is this small farm, which is a glamping center. As a matter of fact, Podere di Maggio is an organic farm surrounded by a fabulous landscape, in one of the most beautiful areas in Tuscany.

9. Enjoy some relax with a sea view

Rifugio per Artisti, Sicilia

This accommodation is just 8km away from Noto and 450 meters above the sea level. What’s relevant is that here you’ll find silence and inner peace, thanks to its sorrounding environment. So, forget about the chaos of the tourist destinations. On the contrary, enjoy a unique panorama of the Mediterranean and the Ionian Sea right from your balcony.

10. Try the tasty organic food

Settecentoalberi, Veneto

Settecentoalberi is a beautiful organic farm, surrounded by a large garden full of trees. It is located 2km far from the center of Noventa in Piave and also, it is only 22km away from Jesolo. All rooms are furnished with natural materials and have wooden floors with a private bathroom. In addition, they offer cooking lessons to learn something more about the local tradition.

We gave you the chance to discover some beautiful places, all around Italy. Places where peace and silence are the main elements. Which one do you think will be your next destination? Book a stay and tell us everything about your trip!

Cover photo: Riccardo Chiarini via Unsplash

The article Nature Significantly Boosts Health and Wellbeing was originally posted on Ecobnb.

Let’s discover the San Michele Abbey, a majestic abbey on the top of the Pirchiriano mountain, in the west of Turin. This abbey inspired the author Umberto Eco for its debut novel The Name of the Rose.

…because of the inaccessible position, the abbey was capable of generating fear in every traveler who approached it… (Umberto Eco, in “The Name of the Rose“)

Umberto Eco used these words to describe the place which inspired him to write his best novel. We don’t know if the abbey described in the novel is a real place. But, we know that San Michele Abbey was a huge inspiration for the author.

This huge abbey is 60km far away from Torino and it is considered an icon in Piedmont. So, let’s start discovering the San Michele Abbey, a spiritual and magnificent place.

Photo by Elio Pallard, via Wikimedia

Saint Michael’s line

According to the myth, St Michael asked the bishop to build this beautiful abbey. During those days, the collected wood disappeared. However, it was found after many days on the Pirchiriano mountain.

There’s a mystery linked to this abbey. The Saint Michael’s line is a postulated ley line connecting monasteries dedicated to the Archangel Michael in Europe.

As a matter of fact, Saint Michael’s line is a pilgrimage route of 2000km which connects the Sain Michael Abbey in Piedmont to the Mont Saint-Michel, in France and, in addition, to Monte Sant’Angelo, in Apulia.

Photo by DuilioFiorille, via Shutterstock

Some white magic experts think that the energy point is located on a tile on the floor. According to these theories, if you stay on this tile, you can feel the energy of Saint Micheal. Moreover, if you’re looking for this tile in the San Michele Abbey in Piedmont, you can find it after the entrance, on the left side of the Church.

Hiking trails and guided excursions

This Abbey is attractive not only for pilgrims but, also for professional athletes who want to test their skills by or by following mountain-bike trails.

Photo by Elio Pallard, via wikimedia

We all know that discovering nature by walking and hiking is extremely important for your physical and mental health. Furthermore, walking through nature is a long-life elixir. You’re in the right place, because the San Michele Abbey gives you, actually, the chance to discover several paths, from the shortest to the longest ones.

In an hour and half of walking, you can discover the following paths:

• Sant’Ambrogio
• Chiusa San Michele
• Frazione Mortera

Here you are, the most evocative paths to discover:

• The path starting from Oulx: starting from the longer path, then you will find a 60 km road that crosses the Gran Bosco Salbertrand Park
• The itinerary of the Rocciavrè Orsiera: keep walking, and then you will notice that this path is divided into 3 stages; in 3 days you can discover the whole path and if you want to rest, there’s the chance to spend the night in a tent or in accommodation.

Get ready to take some wonderful photos, because here you’ll find a picturesque view of the Susa Valley.

Aerial view of the San Michele Abbey – Photo by Gildos, via Wikimedia

Green accommodations near the San Michele Abbey

Do you want to make your experience at the San Michele Abbey unforgettable but also eco-friendly? Then, this Ecob&b is perfect for you. Its name is PerTe and it is located in Oulx, a small village near the Susa Valley. Here you can do yoga, you can go hiking and plan your guided visit to the abbey.

Are you fascinated by this wonderful place? Then, plan your green holiday here. It won’t disappoint you.

Cover Image: photo by Elio Pallard, via Wikimedia

The article San Michele: the Abbey which inspired Umberto Eco was originally posted on Ecobnb.

The vegan and vegetarian choice is now more and more widespread, in Italy and in the world. If until a few years ago eating out and spending holidays was not so simple, especially for vegans, now a large number of accommodation facilities offer menus dedicated to these special diets and some completely embrace the philosophy offering to all guests exclusively food of non-animal origin. So now organizing a vegan holiday is much simpler: just choose your destination, between sea, mountain and city.

Here you can find 10 addresses of bed & breakfasts, hotels and farmhouses in Italy where your vegan holidays becomes even more sustainable thanks to solar panels, recycling, organic food and green architecture.

Vegan holiday in Sicily

A homemade breakfast, with garden produces and organic ingredients, on request vegan or gluten free and then explore Mounts Iblei or the cities of Ragusa and Modica: this is the offer of Case Caro Carrubo B&B, rustic and familiar, surrounded by 4 hectares of meadows and olive groves. The accommodation is ideal for families and travelers who seek harmony with nature and contact with people and place; it uses the sun as a source of energy.

A vegan holiday in a mountain retreat

We reach the 2526 meters of altitude where there is the Sogno di Berdzè refuge, between the Gran Paradiso National Park and the Avic Park. The retreat, characterized by the typical and authentic mountain atmosphere, offers a healthy cuisine designed also for vegans, with delicious dishes made with local products.
The accommodation can be reached on foot, by mountain bike or on horseback through 3 beautiful paths.

Vegan and vegetarian breakfasts in the woods

Casa Payer is a bed & breakfast surrounded by wild nature, among the woods of Pellice Valley, in Piedmont. Here you can learn about a different life, the one lived in the woods, relaxing in hammocks among birch trees, making bread and pizza and enjoying rich vegetarian and vegan breakfast, both sweet and savory, in a suggestive room with a view. The accommodation, just one kilometer from the Urania Astronomical Observatory, recovers rainwater, has solar panels and uses environmentally friendly cleaning products.

In Lazio, for a regenerating holiday

The B&B Viaggiatori d’intento offers 3 bedrooms, 2 large teepees, reading lounge, a large room for courses, but above all the opportunity to experience a deep natural connection. Immersed in the countryside, it is possible to book holistic sessions and savor vegan breakfasts and meals on the porch of the house, which offers persuasive landscapes both at sunrise and at sunset.

Vegan holiday in Emilia Romagna

The green hills of the Parma Apennines are the background of the Vegetarian and Vegan Farm Podere Doglio. Here you can enjoy the silence and tranquility of the place, but also a friendly and familiar welcome. The rooms are spacious and enjoy a beautiful view, the restaurant is exclusively vegetarian (on request also vegan), follows the seasonal cycles and is characterized by typical dishes based on organic farm products or local and regional products.

Vegan Salento

The organic farm Piccapane is located in the heart of Salento, a stone’s throw from the crystal clear sea and the main attractions of this incredible corner of Apulia. The restaurant is 100% vegan and offers excellent dishes made with organic ingredients produced on the farm. The accommodation has solar and photovoltaic panels and a phytodepuration plant. Land, cuisine and hospitality are the main ingredients of this beautiful vegan farm.

Veg farm in the Marche region

Among the rolling hills of Marche you will find a refined vegetarian, vegan and ecofriendly farm ideal for a regenerating holiday. Coroncina Farmhouse, born from the love of nature and food, also features an intimate wellness center with sauna, swimming pool and numerous spa treatments designed for you.

Vegan holiday at the gates of the Belluno Dolomites Park

Campo di Cielo is a bed and breakfast built in solid wood, a emission-free accommodation that has a vegan restaurant, a sauna and a library. The rooms are characterized by the presence of wood and are equipped with every comfort.

A farm on Lake Garda

Le Novare is an ecological farmhouse whose rooms are housed in the old grandparents’ house, renovated with attention to water and energy savings. Each room has been furnished with care, preferring energy-saving or LED light bulbs, natural materials, water-based or ecological paintings. On request it is possible to have abundant and tasty vegan breakfasts, the ideal way to start a day to spend among the farm animals or discovering the charming villages within walking distance from the accommodation.

In the uncontaminated nature of the Garfagnana

Our last tip for your vegan holiday is in Tuscany and it’s Il Melograno Nano, an organic farm that offers a vegan, natural and macrobiotic breakfast. Guests have a synergetic vegetable garden at their disposal with a huge garden and comfortable bedrooms.

The article Vegan holiday in Italy: here’s where to go was originally posted on Ecobnb.

“Everyone has the power to make the world a better place” (Sergio Bambarén)

Here there is the story of Casa Payer owners, a wonderful house in the woods conceived to live a life in nature. It’s a 100% eco-friendly and vegetarian experience in the amazing Waldense valleys in Piedmont. We’ll discover the charming story of Luca and Paola and how they set up this magical and sustainable place in the woods in order to make the world a better place.

From India to Unspoilt Nature in Piedmont: the charming story of Luca and Paola

The magical house in the woods

How this Payer House b&b VEGGIE in the woods was born?

Payer House was born after we came back from India. We have lived there for 2 years, Paola and I, we met there. We are both vegetarians and dreamers of a different world. Our daughter was about to be born and my job in advertising didn’t fit with our lifestyle. We didn’t know if coming back to India would have been a good idea, so we decided to find a new house to live in the middle of nature.

We wanted to find an unspoilt place where to work as a farmer: making bread, chopping woods to warm up and restoring the house in the first person with local materials. This need led to the idea of hosting.
The idea is travelling in reverse, from travellers in Asia we become residents to host other travellers just like us. It had to be a vegetarian house in the woods.

In our idea of the world, there was no place for animal massacre anymore. Also, after two years in direct contact with a vegetarian population in India, it was impossible for us came back to the “normal” routine.

The starry sky of the house in the woods, Casa Payer, in Piedmont

After 3 years and a half searching for the perfect location from Piedmont valleys to Liguria, we finally found out a place that we immediately liked. A huge country house in stone in the middle of a wood. There was no power line or drinking water. The entire structure was made with no cement, but only stone, wood, and home-made lime. Since the 16th century, the house wasn’t be restored. At the moment we saw this place, we fell in love with it. In this country house lived an old man that has recently passed away. His name was Ottavio and he lived with a wild female boar that saved from a hunt. That was a sort of signal, we should give life to this place and take our life back.

What good environmental practices have you adopted?

During our researches for the perfect house in the woods, we met a lot of people that decided to live a green life. For example, someone tried Masanobu Fukuoka synergistic farming; other experimented straw houses; somebody else built their own thermal solar panels; others tried to construct a bakery, and someone used Canva as an insulation material for rooftops and walls. We also met Alberto Sasso, a young architect who helped us to project our eco-friendly house restoration. He did a thorough investigation of local materials necessary for our house.

The project lasted for a year and a half. We sorted everything: a small firm of thermo-technical engineers have built a wall heating with a mile-long copper tube inside the ancient stone walls. There is wood fiber to isolate rooftops and ceilings. The cocciopesto, produced in an ancient local shop is used as plaster. We collect rainwater. There’s a net of fiberglass for power lines instead of welded mesh in order to reduce the electromagnetic fields (you can sleep better!). The solar thermal panels have been installed with an innovative boiler that burns the wood recovered by the cleaning up of the surrounded woodlands. We also restored the old bakery to make home-made bread and pizza. That’s Casa Payer! 

Moreover, we contribute to surrounding land preservation: the dirt road to reach us, the cleaning of paths, the hydrogeological emergencies. We can’t get used to this kind of emergencies. For example, I will always remember the phrase by Masanobu Fukuoka that I read in the book “the revolution of straw” and said, “it doesn’t matter which place you try to protect because everywhere is the centre of the world, so work hard and do your part”.

Firewood from cleaning up woodlands

What do your guests of the house in the woods like the most?

Our guests love the atmosphere of our house in the woods. It’s an authentic location and a life project, from the vegetarian food to the eco-cleaners. They know that they can count on our advice and they trust us. On the other head, we are always available and share with them some moments if they want. We usually have dinner with our guests. A lot of them knead bread with us on Saturday and also ask for some sourdough to make it at their home. They also love our pizza: our cuisine is vegan and home-made every day. We use to call it vegetarian because veganism often creates several boundaries and taboos.

Inside the green Casa Payer and their breakfasts

Our guests also like that we have a few rooms but large spaces. Our rooms are equipped with a small kitchen and our clients can also use many common areas inside and outside. They appreciate our breakfasts a lot, entirely made by us, from biscuits to vegan sponge cake, to yogurt, soya milk and berry jams home-made. We are now a “countryside residence” and for this reason, we can make our own products. We have a few guests who check the weather forecast before coming here. Often, our rooms are full even in days of bad weather. Someone likes reading in our little but stocked library. Almost everyone is here because they want to stay with us in our magical place surrounded by nature.

What are the unmissable green itineraries in the surroundings of the house in the woods?

The best thing about this place is that it is a green itinerary itself. It isn’t well-known, but the territory is hidden and wild since when mechanization of agriculture preferred the “easy land” of lowland. We are on the hills, so there are paths suitable for all types of hikers. There’s also a small stream full of freshwater prawns that certificate the cleaniless of water.

That’s a Waldense valley and its history is hidden in the places surrounded by nature. For example, the little church in a cave, used by refugees of the persecutions or the Backwith schools spread all over the area in order to bring education in every village. Indeed, the literacy rate in the 15th century was significantly higher than in Turin.

Upper Pellice Valley, Piedmont – photo on Wikimedia Commons

The Pellice valley is one of the shorter in the Alpine region. This fact makes the community stronger and it is also easier to reach places in the upper valley. Along the main streams, as Pellice, Angrogna and Luserna, there is the famous “Tumpi”, a sort of natural cave modeled by rocks where you can swim, jump and have a natural hydromassage. The walk “National Popular” is in the Prà valley. It goes along the Pellice stream and gets to the sources where you can see a huge basin, a kind of natural amphitheater surrounded by the French mountains. Our favorite walk is called the “vallone degli invincibili”. Follow the Subiasco stream and get into the wonderful rocky landscape.

If you want, you can also go to Po valley and reach its source in Pian del Re (not on Sunday!), here you can enjoy the breath-taking view of the “stone giant”, Mon Viso Mount. Also, in Susa Valley you can go and see the Sacra di San Michele, a peak smoothed by the glaciation, it is a symbol of the Piedmont region. You will discover here the magic and esoteric tales.

What does be an Ecobnb mean for you?

To be an Ecobnb is all that I’ve just said and even more to improve ourselves. It means living a truly green life in our daily personal choices to reach the lowest environmental impact.

We need to remember that nature IS NOT A PLAYGROUND FOR HUMANS.

Tourism is just one of the destructive human activities then it’s pointless. Being on Ecobnb is an ethical choice to be a part only of an environmentally friendly net with our house in the woods.

Do not miss the opportunity to take a break, meet Luca and Paola in this magical and natural beauty!

The article The magical house in the woods . Interview with Luca and Paola of Casa Payer was originally posted on Ecobnb.

Are you ready for a blast from the past, among wild valleys, historic villages and natural ponds? We are taking you to Valchiusella, in Piedmont (North Italy). The natural landscape that you will find has remained unchanged over the years, thanks to the fact that the territory has always been avoiding the development of any industry. Nature is the only force that rules in this area, along with the streams and an Alpine fauna that is one of the most diverse in Italy.

Picture by Giovanni Dughera, via piemonteis.org

People live in charming villages caved into the mountains, where pastures and agriculture seem to belong to the past.
Valchiusella is a wide valley north from Torino, which takes its name from the torrent that crosses it. We are talking about a territory that can look back on an eventful story: the first inhabitants date back to prehistoric times, right after the last Ice Age. The valley -which is located at an altitude between 500 and 700 meters- is divided into 10 municipalities. Once we have crossed the whole valley and its point of interest, we arrive in the municipality of Traversella, where we can also find Fondo. We are going to start our slow itinerary from this village.

The Town of Fondo and the Ribondone Falls

Roamanesque stone bridge in Fondo, picture by Giovanni Dughera via piemonteis.org

Fondo can be considered as the typical postcard from Valchiusella, it is the municipality that closes the valley and the perfect starting point for many itineraries. The small town of Fondo is connected to the road by a Romanesque stone bridge that can be crossed only on foot. The whole morphology of the town is very characteristic: mainly stone rooftop houses, typical of Piedmont and the Aosta Valley. In the village, there is a restaurant opened all year round that serves typical and delicious Piedmont dishes.

Picture via valchiusella.org                       Picture via WikiMedia Commons           Cascatella di Fondo
Just under the bridge there is a small waterfall, but you only have to walk some more meters up to discover the splendid Waterfall of Fondo. We can reach it by crossing another stone bridge (in the cover picture). Beside the waterfall there is a natural pond with clear water (one of the most beautiful natural pools in Piedmont).

A short excursion to the mountain village of Tallorno

Tallorno, picture by Alberto Ferrero via Flickr

From the waterfall of Fondo we continue on our way to another hike towards Tallorno. If we keep walking on the gravel road that led us to Fondo and we take the 1.5 km long climbing path that crosses wide beech forests, we get to this village. The place is fabulous, the natural architecture is surrounded by pastures in full harmony with the landscape. From here it is possible to get back to Fondo either walking the path that follows the other side of the valley or continuing the hike towards the overhanging peaks.

Alpine pastures of Valchiusella, picture by Irene Vigna, via Flickr

Along this route, in fact, you will find a large number of sings for several paths: you can reach the Alpine pastures (where this legend of an old hermit takes place). After a long walk, you will finally get to Bocchetta delle Oche (2415m), from where you can enjoy a majestic view of the entire valley.

Other excursions and jewels of Vachiusella, near Fondo

Piani di Cappia, Traversella

Another itinerary that cannot be missed is the one that will take you to Piani di Cappia, walking through a path called Sentiero delle Anime. This route was discovered in the 70’s and it has lots of holy sites. Along the path, you will find petroglyphs that are thought to be done by a pagan population and then approved by the Christians. It is a 2h30’ long path of medium difficulty. The route begins in Traversella (a few km before Fondo) and you will find further information in this link.

On the other hand, if the Ribondone Falls liked you the most you should go and give a look at Guje Garavot: they are a series of gorges where the Valchiusella torrent slows down and creates some ponds in which the inhabitants use to go to get some fresh and enjoy diving. These gorges are located in Alice Superiore, at the beginning of the Valchiusella and they can be reached by walking a short path from the street.

In Valchiusella you will also find the Templi dell’Umanità di Damanhur! Some people consider them as the eighth wonder of the World, but I will not reveal any spoiler as you should really read the article!

The article Valchiusella, among Ancient Villages, Waterfalls and Natural Pools was originally posted on Ecobnb.

You need to stop. To get off the daily carousel made of a thousand commitments and situations that sometimes appear asphyxiating. To get away from the usual routine, so tiring and pressing. You need to escape. To find your balance, to breathe and rediscover beauty. Sometimes escape is really necessary, and what better way than to hide in nature, in special places far from everything that will make you fall in love with landscapes, with perfumes, with the little things, with life. We have selected 10 sustainable and chic breaks perfect for your next getaway. Ready to dream and leave?

Between two seas in a pristine Sicily

A haven for artists and for people who love being immersed in nature and in silence away from the chaos of tourist routes. A charming little house 8 km from Noto, at an altitude of 450 meters on the Iblee hills, surrounded by dry stone walls and Maquis shrubland. From the house you can enjoy a unique and wonderful view of the extreme tip of Sicily with the Mediterranean on the right and the Ionian Sea on the left.

You can’t miss: near Noto you will find the Vendicari Nature Reserve with its ancient tuna-fishing nets, its paths and beautiful beaches.
Starting from € 40

Among the warmth of wood, admiring Piedmont mountains

In the beautiful rooms covered in Swiss pine and invaded by its relaxing perfume of the Lou Pitavin Inn it’s easy to feel far away from everyday life and return to breathe. Immersed in the Maira Valley, the property offers fantastic Occitan-Piedmontese cuisine, a family welcome and a unique location.

You can’t miss: Maira Valley is a paradise for MTB lovers. Here a fascinating journey through the pristine nature of this spectacular valley.
Starting from 55 €

An ancient charming tower in Val Chiavenna

What was once an ancient tower is now an eco-friendly residence that looks like it’s made for chic breaks. You will be alone, in the nature of this corner of Lombardy and surrounded by vineyards, and you will feel like living a fairy tale.

You can’t miss: the tower house is located along the “Bregaglia” cycle path.
Starting from € 150

In the heart of Umbria surrounded by vineyards

Within the Roccafiore resort, but still far from everything: the Wine Chalet is perfect for an exclusive stay of intimate relax, amid an oak wood and endless vineyards. The winery, located a few meters away, is available for visits, tastings or picnics, while the Resort, nearby, offers an excellent restaurant and the care and attention of the Wellness Center.

You can’t miss: we are just a few minutes from Todi, so you cannot miss the climb to the top of the bell tower of the church of San Fortunato, which offers a wonderful view of the charming town and the green Umbrian hills.
Starting from € 100

Charming farmhouse for chic breaks in Maremma

Relais Villa Acquaviva is certainly the ideal place for chic breaks: a romantic, charming farmhouse where you can regenerate, savor the Tuscan atmosphere and taste the typical products and wines of the region.

You can’t miss: we are very close to the beautiful Saturnia hot springs, why not get there by bike?
Starting from € 110

An eco-friendly relais kissed by the Marche sun

We escape and take refuge in the greenery of Conero Rivera, where an ancient white stone farmhouse skillfully restored awaits us. Acanto Country House welcomes us with its 7 rooms, the exclusive park of 10,000 square meters, a refined decor, suggestive corners and a view that sweeps from the Sirolo sea to the Marche hills.

You can’t miss: the relais is located in the middle of the Anello della Pecorara path, a route of 6 and a half kilometers to cover by MTB to discover vineyards and olive groves, small streams and woods, cliffs overlooking the sea and caves.
Starting from € 90

An eco-chic cottage near the Cinque Terre

You can only get there on foot here. Going up from the village of Campiglia, you move away from everything and everything finds its dimension. The hause overlooks a paved farmyard with sea view, equipped with a large table where you can dine in the moonlight in the company of fireflies. The interiors are furnished with antique or hand-made furniture. A truly unique and magical place, out of the chaos of the 5 Terre, yet close, completely immersed in nature, perfect for pulling the plug and finding peace.

You can’t miss: it will be difficult to go away from this little paradise, but how not to visit the beautiful Cinque Terre?
Starting from € 150

On the tip of a promontory of the island of Lipari

The Monterosa Atoll is a typical house of the Aeolian Islands, surrounded by nature and overlooking the sea, on the tip of the promontory of the Island of Lipari. For some chic breaks what could be better than relaxing on a hammock with the feeling of being in the middle of the Tyrrhenian Sea?

You can’t miss: a boat trip, a walk in Marina Corta at sunset, a visit to its castle that castle is not… certainly in Lipari there is so much to do and discover.
Starting from € 100

An ancient tower surrounded by greenery, overlooking the Ligurian sea

It was once a lookout tower, today it is a truly unique resort, among swings, hanging basins and old drinking troughs. Immersed in an incredible botanical garden, The Mortola Tower offers a loft, the orangery and the romantic suite, as well as numerous charming spaces. You will love the uncontaminated nature that surrounds the ancient house, the particular microclimate and the breathtaking view (180 degrees) over the sea.

You can’t miss: definitely a visit to the nearby Hanbury Gardens.
Starting from € 150

An eco-friendly farm in the nature of the Adamello Brenta Natural Park

Charming rooms, panoramic terraces, hammocks in the forests, a fireplace: this and much more await you in the Maso Azzurro, mountain chalet in the heart of the Adamello Brenta Natural Park.

You can’t miss: here are some of the most beautiful itineraries in the park.
Starting from 70 €

Where will your next chic breaks to get away from everything?

The article In praise of escape: 10 chic breaks in Italy far from everything was originally posted on Ecobnb.

Many people have defined them as the eighth wonder of the world. In Valchiusella, Piedmont, discover the Temples of Humanity, an underground construction, pride of the Community of Damanhur.

In a village of 500 people, 50 km from Turin, hidden in the heart of a mountain, lies what many have called the eighth wonder of the world. We’re talking about the Temples of Humanity – or of Man, the largest underground construction in the world. They were made by the Federation of Damanhur, a community of people united by a precise philosophy. The work began in 1978 and was completed in 16 years, digging the rock by hand. They have been officially recognized as a work of art by the Superintendence of Fine Arts and attract tourists and onlookers from all over the world every year.

Some rooms of the Temples of Damanhur, via Damanhur

The Eco-Society of Damanhur

The community of Damanhur – literally, city of light – has over 600 people. It was founded in Vidracco in 1975 by Oberto Airaudi, a writer, psychic and pranotherapist who would have been inspired by mystical visions. Damanhur is a self-managed ethical-spiritual group, regarded by some to be a real sect. Their history has often been marked by legal disputes. The construction of the Temples itself was object of investigation in 1992, as it was kept secret and therefore unauthorized. An anonymous letter revealed its existence. After the intervention of the authorities and the regulation of the construction site, the works continued to deliver to the world the wonder we see today, which can be visited all year round. The Federation in fact decided not to keep the masterpiece it had made hidden any more. The declaration of the Superintendence – in 1996 – decreed the official opening to the public outside the community.

The Eco-Society of Damanhur, photo by Wikipedia

Damanhur has its own currency, its own educational and economic system, administrative bodies and exclusive job positions. They call themselves an eco-society; their fundamental belief is that man is the bearer of a divine spark. Through meditation and some techniques they invented, Damanhurians learn to direct vital energies to become increase self-consciousness. They also have their own conception and interpretation of history and physical phenomena (not supported by established scientific theories), based on the theory of “synchronic lines”, some “streams of energy” that cross the planet, connecting it to the rest of the universe and on the basis of which events can be explained.

One of the core values ​​of Damanhurian spirituality is ecology. The Earth is seen as a living being in and of itself. They want to value more the fact that man is connected with it as with other living beings. Renewable energies, organic farming, bio-architecture, lessons dedicated at schools: in Damanhur, sustainability is created every day, through concrete action.

The eighth wonder of the world

The Temples of Humanity occupy 8.500 cubic meters of underground space, divided into five floors, up to a depth of 72 meters beneath the ground. According to the community, the building was inspired by one of the visions of Airaudi, who saw a star falling to the ground exactly where today we find the Temples, and there he began to dig the rock with his bare hands. There is no doubt about the extraordinary nature of the building we are talking about.

pictures via Damanhur

The Temples are a sparkling of art, colors and lights. A complex and wonderful architecture, which winds through corridors, niches and secret rooms. That’s why they have often been compared to the Egyptian pyramids. And the association, in fact, is not wrong: different concepts of the spirituality of Damanhur derive from ancient Egypt. Citizens therefore have a little “taken advantage” of this stereotype; how? Yes, there are secret rooms in the Temples, but… Also other secret rooms inside them!

Secret passages in the Temples of Damanhur, via Damanhur

The walls are decorated with glass and stone mosaics, paintings, sculptures, inlays in wood, copper and embossed. Following an articulated path, we discover the seven rooms of the Temples, each one dedicated to an element and characterized by its own mysticism. The first is the Hall of Mirrors, dedicated to light, air, sky and sun with a glass dome and a granite and marble floor.

Hall of Mirrors, dome, photo via Damanhur

The Hall of Water is dedicated to the principle and female divine forces; it is also enriched by a dome and it houses a fire that is always on. Continue with the Hall of Earth, 30 meters below ground level, consisting of two circular rooms and decorated with a magnificent glass portal with sunny colors. The Hall of Metals is dedicated to metals and time, with eight precious windows depicting eight faces.

Hall of Earth, and Hall of Water, Temples of Damanhur, photo via Damanhur

The fifth room is one of the most particular, is the Hall of Spheres, entirely covered with gold leaves: it represents the heart of the Temples, the name is given by the nine spheres along the walls, which contain alchemical liquids of different colours. This is where you empathize with the Synchronic Lines, and most visitors – even the most sceptical ones – come out of the room amazed by the energy they perceive during the visit. Penultimate room is the Labyrinth (don’t worry, no danger of getting lost), in which the history of humanity is traced through paintings along all the walls. Finally, the Blue Temple, the oldest room built entirely by hand with hammers and chisels, dedicated to the birth of the Temples and enriched by a mosaic in the centre of the floor that represents “The Star” of the Tarot.

Hall of Victory, photo via Damanhur

Visiting Damanhur

Besides the spectacular construction of the Temples of Humanity, the external environment, on the surface, also deserves to be visited. The main (and historical) settlement of the community is called Damjil; many activities take place there. The most fascinating area to visit is the Sacred Wood, an open-air temple that winds through several paths. An “enchanted forest” just above the underground Temples, which amplifies its energy through the vegetable world.

Photo by Damanhur Spiritual Ecocommunity, via Flickr

The eighth wonder of the world can be visited all year round, buying different types of tickets. It always starts with a guided walk in Damjil, to discover the history of the community and its organization, which is essential to eventually visit the Temples or participate in some activities. It is free on holiday and lasts about 45 minutes. It can be added the visit to the first four rooms of the Temples of Man or to the entire underground construction, which lasts half a day. Finally, it is possible to spend an entire day in Damanhur, discovering all the areas of the settlement and also participating in a meditation session in the Wood.

The Temples of Humanity are one of those hidden treasures just a few steps away from us that are worth discovering. They are an example of how man is still able to build something magnificent without resorting to industrial means and without distorting the environment in which he acts.

If you are curious to know live the daily life of the community and see with your own eyes the amazing construction of “the eighth wonder of the world”, take advantage of our Ecobnb just 15 minutes walk from Damanhur!

Cover image: Hall of Metals, Temples of Humanity, ph by Damanhur.

The article Damanhur: discovering the Temples, the Eighth Wonder of the World was originally posted on Ecobnb.