Get ready to disconnect from the daily routine, surround yourself with beauty, smiles and kindness, observe traditions of the past and rediscover the emotion of a starry sky amidst the enveloping sounds of nature. Without forgetting regenerating breaks in the name of relaxation and exclusive moments dedicated to good food: all this is the secret Apennines, a magical territory that awaits you among the villages of Sarsina, Santa Sofia and Bagno di Romagna.
Our journey begins in Sarsina, a charming town on the banks of the Savio River, known for its rich historical and cultural heritage. The birthplace of Titus Maccius Plautus, the Latin playwright and father of western comedy, over the centuries it has been an important crossroads of culture, art and history.
The day starts at the National Archaeological Museum, which is undoubtedly one of the most important in northern Italy due to the wealth and variety of exhibits. We then proceed to the Basilica di San Vicinio, a Romanesque-style cathedral where the remains of the patron saint and the famous ‘thaumaturgic chain’, which for centuries has attracted pilgrims seeking blessing and protection, are kept. It is precisely from here that the Cammino di San Vicinio starts, a 16-stage itinerary that winds along the ancient paths and unspoilt woods that characterised the Saint's life. For nature lovers, in fact, Sarsina is the gateway to the Upper Savio Valley, with its breathtaking landscapes, the Casentino Forests National Park, Mount Fumaiolo and the evocative nature site of Careste.
At this point, a break in one of the local restaurants is a must to savour the many local specialities, such as the traditional piadina romagnola, ‘gusùn’ (shells), passatelli in brodo, ‘salsiccia matta’ (crazy sausage) and bustrengo.
In the afternoon, spend a few hours out of time with an experience in contact with donkeys and alpacas, who will accompany you on a pleasant walk to discover the area before taking you back to the farm for a tasty snack based on local products.
If you visit Sarsina in July or August, don't miss the Plautus Festival, an international theatrical event that every year brings together on the stage of the famous Plautina Arena - about 1 km from the town centre - great actors from the Italian theatre and film scene; and the evocative Roman Festival, which takes the town back to the splendour of an ancient Roman civitas, with period costumes, dances, shows and banquets featuring the culinary traditions of two thousand years ago.
Having reached this point, you can choose to spend the night in one of the cosy local establishments or continue on to the next stop on this fascinating journey, just 35 km along the Carnaio Pass: the enchanting Santa Sofia.
Santa Sofia is a village nestled in the rolling hills of the Tuscan-Romagna Apennines, in the heart of the National Park of the Casentino Forests, Mount Falterona and Campigna, one of the largest and best-preserved forested areas in Italy. The heart of the park is the Riserva Integrale di Sasso Fratino, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017.
Thanks to its excellent gastronomic tradition and a sustainable, typically Romagnolo lifestyle, this lively town offers interesting experiences in every season: nature adventures, sports, events, art and the culture of good living.
From a gastronomic point of view, the absolute star of the area is the tortello alla lastra - a name derived from the slab on which tortelli were once cooked - a speciality of the upper Bidente Valley with its traditional pumpkin and potato filling. An excellent choice for a snack along the River Park that stretches peacefully along the town: an open-air museum filled with sculptures signed by internationally renowned artists. Before leaving Santa Sofia and moving upstream, we recommend a visit to the local dairies, to discover the secrets - and above all to taste - one of the area's best-loved cheeses: raviggiolo.
In the afternoon, we visit the ‘Giant of Romagna’: the Ridracoli Dam. This is an imposing piece of engineering that supplies drinking water to Romagna and the Republic of San Marino, blending perfectly into the landscape and giving rise to a large lake that penetrates about 5 km into the surrounding woods. In addition to the eco-museum and the traditional walk above the dam, here you can enjoy a truly unique experience: a night-time canoe trip to the most remote corners of the lake, to be enchanted by the starry sky and the sounds of the forest. The excursion - to be booked in advance - is preceded by a sunset aperitif with typical local products, and ends around 11 p.m.
For those who prefer to visit the dam during the morning, we recommend - if available - starting with Forest Bathing: a guided immersion to reconnect with nature through shapes, lights, sounds and scents. The activity takes place inside the Forest of the Blade, in a location that is chosen according to the season.
At this point, you can leave your visit to Santa Sofia for the late afternoon, stopping for dinner at one of the village taverns or enjoying one of the many events on the local calendar, such as the ‘Di strada in strada’ festival, which enlivens the village with performances by artists from all over the world during the Ferragosto period.
Depending on the time of day, you can stay overnight in one of the cosy local facilities or continue on to the last stop on our journey to discover the secret Apennines, which awaits you just 20 km away: the picturesque village of Bagno di Romagna.
At Bagno di Romagna, the beauty of the landscapes, the natural warmth of the thermal waters, the intensity of the flavours, the friendliness of the small mountain community, and the excellence of the services intertwine to offer an unforgettable experience all year round.
A visit to the Palazzo del Capitano and the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta is a must. For those who love hiking, the Lama Forest and the integral reserve of Sasso Fratino, in the heart of the Casentino Forest National Park, offer extraordinary landscapes and a total immersion in nature. The Val di Bagno Trek trail network, with over 200 km of trails, is a real natural gym for hikers and mountain bike enthusiasts, while the life trails along the Savio river and the new pedestrian path to San Piero are perfect for those who prefer relaxing walks in nature. Bagno di Romagna is also the starting point of the fourth stage of the Cammino di San Vicinio, which connects the village to the Sanctuary of Camaldoli.
For families with children - or for anyone who loves adventures in the woods - we recommend the Sentiero degli Gnomi (Gnome Path), a route suitable for everyone that, in just over 2 km of walking, allows you to discover the secret world of the small magical creatures that, according to legend, populate the surrounding forests. Along the way you will come across illustrated signs, sculptures, animals and wooden houses, where the little ones can leave messages for their gnome friends.
After a morning of hiking and walking, it is time to pamper yourself with one of the attractions that has made Bagno di Romagna famous since ancient times: the famous thermal baths. Real oases of tranquillity, ideal for regenerating oneself with the curative power of water, relaxing treatments and customised packages.
Our journey cannot but end with a dinner in one of the local restaurants, where gastronomic excellence is at home: from the refined creations of the great starred chefs to the culinary traditions of the local trattorias, in Bagno di Romagna every gastronomic experience is a dive into the authentic flavours of the region.