Un consiglio per piccoli Tour Operators che vogliono crescere con ottimi risultati con loro prodotti.

Mi é capitato in passato in varie fiere e meetings del settore del Turismo di scambiare quattro chiacchiere con colleghi di alcune agenzie,piccoli o medio-piccoli Tour Operators che volevano fare tutte o quasi tutte le destinazioni del mondo.Si puó fare,magari non coprendo tutto il mondo,ma creare molti prodotti di qualitá su cui puntare.Le soluzioni ci sono .sono.Innanzitutto un progetto con una finalizzazione in pianificazione deve produrre risultati.

Nel produrre risultati servono persone idonee esperte che hai nel tuo team che conoscono l´outgoing che si desidera programmare nel migliore dei modi,il bicchiere mezzo pieno,o mezzo vuoto non soddisfa mai nessuno ne il Tour Operator che rischia di cadere nel non competitivo ne il cliente che non trova quello che cerca ma soprattutto in caso di una intensa e laboriosa gestione face to face non trova la qualitá che desidera.Inoltre con una miriade di prodotti che si vogliono catalogare come "Propri" puó essere abbastanza difficile per ovvi motivi,coordinare le richieste con un team limitato che deve curare il booking,la commercializzazione,i contatti con i corrispondenti,novitá di offerte e nuove strutture,studio e lancio sul mercato,contatto con clienti che richiede tempo.

É il sogno di tutti creare un prodotto proprio,che si é costruito,in questo caso si deve conoscere ció che crei nei massimi dettagli.Un esempio se desideri creare un prodotto Grecia,devi conoscere una grande quantitá di isole,non solo Atene od il Peloponneso,conoscere tutte le isole implica uno sforzo e serve qualcuno davvero esperto se vuoi coprire questo destino come uno dei tuoi prioritari.

C´é sempre la possibiltá di avere un ottimo corrispondente in incoming che ti aiuta e che ti toglie tutti i grattacapi e che lavora stupendamente  ,naturalmente si deve in ogni caso conoscere il prodotto che si vende in casa con i tuoi occhi,averlo testato,provato e poi venduto.La soluzione é fare un educational in bassa stagione,anche un piccolo educational fai da te e si va a vedere il prodotto direttamente Quello che piace é sempre soggettivo,personale,sempre meglio toccare e giudicare e soprattutto sei tu che valuti questi hotels sonmo oro per i miei clienti o queste strutture non le venderó mai perché non rientrano nei gusti della mia clientela.Da buon commerciale devi essere a volte anche un pó giudice di ció che venderai con istinto ed esperienze.

Sinceramente penso che per ottenere ottimi risultati in un massive Tailor Made quando il prodotto si desidera sia completamento tuo,in fase di programmazione,commercializazione e vendita ci vuole la sicurezza della bontá di ció che vendi,un safe di quello che stai facendo.Una mia esperienza personale quando lavoravo in Andalusia e facevo incoming Andalusia,Spagna intera e Portogallo desideravo fare Marocco,a fine anno ho programmato un avance includendo Tangier,Larache,Asilah,Tetouan il Marocco settentrionale per intenderci ed ho iniziato con quello.

 L´anno dopo dopo avermi visitato tutti o quasi i Riads ed Hotels di Marrakech,Rabat,Casablanca e Fez si é aggiunto in programmazione Marocco e Le Cittá Imperiali od il classico Fly & Drive o Fly & Stay in tutte quelle localitá,l´anno successivo ho aggiunto Agadir e le coste ed il Sahara Marocchino in 4x4 che ho fatto con due educationals successivi.L´anno dopo ho aggiunto Andorra, trekking and Spa nella stagione primaverile ed estiva,sport invernali nella stagione invernale,programmato in circa 7 mesi per vendere questo prodotto tutto l´anno.

Il mio consiglio personale che ho dato ad alcune agenzie é agire con i mezzi di qualitá,la quantitá potrebbe venire dopo.Quello che vorrei suggerire,meglio 20 prodotti di outgoing fatti bene,tuoi,totalmente tuoi,prezzi competitivi,controllo dei tuoi mark up e destini di cui conosci morte e miracoli piuttosto che farne 50 e poi ci  trovi in difficoltá perché non si conoscono bene gli hotels o perché il tuo corrispondente non é abile e rapido come pensavi o perché lo studio del prodotto é stato sommario.

Chiedi sempre un parco allotments in base alle previsioni della quantitá potenziale della tua clientela e fatti dare sempre qualche release con 24 ore in piú per eventuali tuoi Last minute.Nelle 24 ore che si ha ancora il release sugli hotels,si puó creare il giorno prima del termine stesso un ultimo tentativo in una mailing,maneggia e sviluppa il tuo mark up sulla tariffa FIT in tuo possesso e crea un file con tutti i contatti dei clienti e lavora anche sui last minute,sicuramente avrai una revenue.Gestioni di questo tipo con 20 prodotti fatti bene sono facili,il team,il commerciale tu stesso conoscete a meraviglia il prodotto e non ci sono problemi.

Nella programmazione futura se vuoi ampliare i tuoi orizzonti,con nuovi prodotti in outgoing li aggiungi gradatamente in base a ció che consideri opportuno,uno studio dopo varie Fiere,situazione politica dei paesi che si possono programmare si puó fare (L´Esempio sul Marocco che ho citato  precedentemente chissá potrebbe essere d´utilitá,lungi da me nel fare il professore,sono solo considerazioni tratte da esperienze negli anni) .Naturalmente ti puoi chiedere e certo non é facile profetizzare,nessuno di noi é Nostradamus se prendiamo in considerazione i problemi che hanno avuto i paesi del Nord Africa,dalla Tunisia all´Egitto tanto per citare due paesi fra i piú turistici del Nord Africa,ti crollano le vendite e questi imprevisti non si possono calcolare.

Ovviamente ci sono le soluzioni alternative,il turismo nazionale é una valida alternativa,e quei 20 prodotti qualitatitivi che puoi vendere ad occhi chiusi,sono il tuo asso nella manica.Naturalmente se l´Egitto era un tuo destino fra i privilegiati cerca sempre in programmazione un alternativa,l´alternativa all´Egitto potrebbe essere la Turchia o la Grecia,anche Malta,gioca sempre su fattori geografici di prodotto in programmazione.

Un altro esempio se fai turismo Ski Country,sci di fondo in Scandinavia,lavora sempre su due prodotti offrendo Norvegia-Svezia non solo Norvegia,l´alternativa ci sará sempre.Se non é possibile fare sci di fondo a Holmenkollen in Norvegia avrai sempre per esempio Falun e Gallivare in Svezia.

La qualitá dei servizi da che mondo é mondo porta sempre ottimi risultati con persone valide nel tuo team,con un numero idoneo di prodotti tailor made si lavora meglio piuttosto che con un milione di prodotti quasi sconosciuti che non si sa spesso come vendere e che creano difficoltá in gestione,tempi,rapiditá e soprattutto spesso e volentieri dubbi.

Francesco Mari

Madrid.Un nome ed una meravigliosa cittá.Perché scegliere Madrid come un fantastico destino tutto l´anno.Alcuni miei suggerimenti per capire e vivere una cittá dove ho vissuto e che ricordo con affetto.


Madrid,se possiamo identificare la capitale Spagnola con una frase,potremmo dire "Una bella signora adagiata su una Meseta di 655 metri baciata dal Fiume Manzanares".A pochi chilometri dalla bellissima Sierra di Guadarrama in pieno centro della Penisola Iberica Madrid é una cittá che oggi supera i 6 milioni di abitanti,una cittá che offre un infinita scelta di fare turismo.

Vorrei in breve dopo aver vissuto alcuni anni nella capitale spagnola ed aver amato questa cittá che amo ancora oggi e dirvi i perché Madrid é una cittá che é adatta a tutti i gusti,per tutte le etá,per diversi interessi ed hobbies e perché é cosi affascinante e tutta da vivere,da visitare nell´arco dell´intero anno.

Madrid si fa amare quando la scopri intera da Chamartin a Plaza de España,camminando per Gran Via e Calle de Alcalá scoprendo il gusto aristocratico e neoclassico della sua architertura di queste due grandi arterie cittadine e fermarti in Plaza de Cibeles a pochi passi dagli hotels Ritz e Westin Palace,dove Paseo del Prado si fonde con Paseo de Recoletos e si va verso l´elegante Barrio de Salamanca.

Ad un lato la storica Puerta de Alcalá a due passi dalla stazione di Atocha,puoi visitare il Triangolo dell´Arte  ,costituito dai tre musei Prado,Thyssen Bornemisza ed Arte Reina Sofia tre musei diversi per storia e concetti d´arte esposti,dall´arte rinascimentale,barocca,manierista,classica,moderna e contemporanea qui hai l´imbarazzo della scelta per visitare musei che non  puoi assolutamente perdere.

Madrid si scopre e si ama quando ti siedi in Puerta del Sol il punto zero di Madrid e vedi come questa piazza vive 24 ore con lo shopping nella vicina Calle Preciados,con i bars sempre affollati da gente,negozi e shops sempre pieni di persone,i tassisti che parlano fra loro anche in ore notturne e le luci dell´alba che danno un colore speciale ad una cittá che vuole vivere e che ti lascia vivere scoprendola.

Se poi prosegui per la Madrid degli Austria,la Madrid che ebbe una rinascita storica,culturale ed architettonica durante il governo degli Asburgo,basta una passeggiata ed  una sosta per un caffé nella meravigliosa Plaza Mayor,uno dei simboli della metropoli spagnola punto focale per la Feria de San Isidro e poi continui camminando per Calle Mayor sino ad arrivare ai Jardines di Sabatini dove ti trovi davanti all´impressionante Palacio Real circondato da questi splendidi Giardini con statue neoclassiche disseminate nei suoi vialetti,dalla meravigliosa Cattedrale dell´Almudena,dall´Opera.

E qui  ti puoi sedere di nuovo ai tavoli del famoso Café Oriente nell´omonima piazza,famoso per le sue "Tertulias",un Cafe letterario che ha ospitato,nelle loro conversazioni filosofi,poeti,artisti,scrittori e pittori per una bibita pensando che a pochi passi Madrid si vuole far scoprire con le sue infinite attrazioni.

Madrid é una cittá che é come un ventaglio flamenco-castigliano che ti da aria,desiderio dopo una breve sosta di continuare a scoprirla e sei stanco ti fermi per una tapa al famoso Museo del Jamon e poi vai a pranzare a Casa Botin il ristorante piu antico del mondo.

Questa cittá ti abbraccia anche con il suo verde con i suoi parchi,il Parque del Retiro é praticamente tutto,relax,meditazione,arte,sport ed attvitá motorie,una chiacchierata con amici su una panchina di questo meraviglioso immenso parco,uno dei polmoni verdi di questa cittá ed é un piacere scoprirlo interamente.

La capitale Spagnola é anche sport,da Concha Espina dove si innalza il famoso Stadio del Real Madrid
poco piú su di Plaza Castilla,ti fermi per un ennesima tapa  in Paseo de La Habana ed ascolti le conversazioni dei fans del club "Merengue"o se vai al Barrio Imperial ti fermi accanto alle rive del Rio Manzanares e vedi davanti a te il glorioso Stadio Vicente Calderon,roccaforte dei "Colchoneros". Ti fermi accanto allo stadio ed é facile parlare con fans del club biancorosso.

La metropoli Iberica la devi visitare anche nei suoi quartieri periferici per capire lo spirito di questa meravigliosa cittá, da Legazpi al Barrio del Pilar,da Vallecas a Valverde,da Fuencarral a Malasaña dove nacque la vera Movida Madrileña da Chamartin a La Chopera,da La Latina a Las Acacias.

Inoltre Madrid é shopping puoi scegliere tu da Calle Princesa a Calle Preciados,da Calle Serrano sino a Goya e Velazquez da Paseo de las Delicias sino ai pressi di Plaza de España e Gran Via.Se desideri divertimento inoltre c´e di tutto e di piú é una delle cittá piú vive e "vibrant" d´Europa.Vi potrei raccontare infinite cose su questa stupenda cittá ma credo che dovrei scrivere un piccolo libro.

Madrid ti apre le braccia,amala,scoprila,io l´ho amata e credo che Madrid ha amato me,dedicagli tempo e sceglila come destino,non ti pentirai.

Francesco Mari

 www.wmmadrid.com

Venice-Ten Reasons to choose the Enchanting Venice as Priority Destination in Every Moment of Your Life for a City Break to Remember Forever.



Today I would like to list omly ten reasons why a tourist should choose the wonderful city of Venice as one of the priority destinations in every season of the year.Not visit Venice at least once in your life is like losing an opportunity that never will come back again.I could mention a million of reasons but I list only ten and Venice forgive me if I do not write a book about you,splendid Queen of the Adriatic and Empress of the Lagoon.



1) The Whole City built over 118 beautiful islands is UNESCO Patrimony Site including its Lagoon.

2) The Grand Canal is the channel on the sea most picturesque and charming in the World in an urban centre.

3) Piazza San Marco is one of the most fascinating places in the world with its Majestic Basilica,its elegant and charming loggie and its impressive historical  tower considered the world's lounge.

4) A Gondola ride in Venice is a unique romantic tour in the world on the water in a town founded in 5th century.

5) A photo with your beloved next to the romantic Bridge of Sighs will be the album cover of your love for your whole life.

6) A cruise of the Venetian Lagoon with its charming islands, visiting Murano, Burano, Torcello,San Giorgio Maggiore,Giudecca,Sant´ErasmoSan Michele e Lazzaretto will make you discover unique sensations ,emotions and vibrations and you will realise that you are in a corner of paradise.

7) A walk on the beautiful Rialto Bridge at midnight is an unique experience that everyone should try simply admiring the lights of the night that this magical city has.

8) Admiring a beautiful sunset from the island of San Giorgio,it is simply wonderful it could be  a idea to take the best picture from your camera during your stay in Venice and then to cover the walls of your living room or your bedroom with this wonderful image.

9) The Carnival of Venice for history class, customs and tradition has no equal in the world.
I suggest to go a few days during this event to see for yourself where you are and what you are experiencing. Pure magic,a novel in the history from the  flight of the dove in Piazza San Marco,which opens the Carnival until the last day of closing.

10) There is no need for a car in Venice, hence no problem about parking,From Santa Lucia to San Marco, you can totally enjoy the marvellous Venice walking through its romantic streets or by vaporetto,also in that Venezia is unique.


There are not words enough to describe the beauty,the charm Venice has.I simply only could say .. Thanks to exist Venice.

Francesco Mari

L´Esterel-France.A dream Bike,an Eperience to try once in your life, riding on the roads of Southern France,romantic Streets and Paths, Fairytale Sunsets, Bays and Coves between Hills,Mountains,Sea and Picturesque Villages.



Cycling in the South of France is always a pleasure from the Midi Pyréenes to the Camargue,from the Alpes Maritime to the Aquitaine. .France is a beautiful country anywhere,a suggestion for those who love the world of cycling is to try a unique experience in the area the Massif de l'Esterel,a range of mountains of volcanic origin,splendid at the sunset,.which are a prolongation of the famous Maritime Alps next to the Department Du Var.The path of the L´ Esterel called  Corniche D'Or is absolutely magnificent,a golden frame as the name means.

This area starts from​ Menton in the South East of France next to the Italian border, follows through to the French Riviera,crossing Nice, Cannes,Antibes,up to Toulon, with the Mont Faron and its beautiful bay coming up to the Bouches du Rhone in Marseille area.Its spectacular cliffs of reddish colour at sunset with the reflection of the sun is a unique experience, the sea next to the mountains with its small bays and coves are the frame of a picture of fairytale.

The routes in the area of L'Esterel are for everyone,you can ride next to the coast, on hilly routes reaching the area of the Mont Vinaigre, the picturesque Pic Du Cap Roux and Pic de L'Ours and beautiful area where you can admire Rocher Saint Barthelemy.Pedaling through the L Estrel is a fantastic destination for everyone, you pedal at sea level, then thebegins to rise around 100 meters above sea level, followed by the first hilly slopes as Rastel D'Agay at 300 mt on the level of the sea where you have a beautiful view on the Mediterranean coast,on the French Riviera and the fascinating and glamorous seaside resort town of Saint Tropez,and then coming over the hills around 600 meters, with unique views over the magnificent calanchesm those rock formations,which are a prolongation of the massif that reaches down to the sea.

L´Esterell offers mixed roads,dirt roads, suitable roads for all road cyclists,a paradise for mountain bikers and also for those who want to explore natural paradise places.I recommend you visit the caves of St Honorat, a beautiful cave located in the Massif of Saint Baume surrounded by spectacular rocks,small paths,Mediterranean vegetation and places to remember forever.

L´ Esterel then offers you the chance to make beautiful excursions to Mandelieu, Cannes and Saint Raphael up to admire other beautiful Calanches like La Calanche D'Aurel one of the most beautiful of the area. You can compare these landscapes to the famous area of  the coast near La Spezia called Cinque Terre, famous for its typical villages such as Vernazza and Monterosso and Manarola perched on the cliffs or if you visited Corse something similar to the Calvi Coast.

I strongly recommend this area for all the  bicycle lovers, fairytale landscapes,poetic and romantic sunsets many beautiful roads and trails to enjoy and remember forever.

FrancescoMari
 uk.linkedin.com/in/francescomaritravel/

www.provence-hideaway.com
worldcyclingtour.wordpress.com

From Shakespeare to Goethe,from Stendhal to Hemingway and Berlitz.Knowing and speaking a foreign language is always an advantage for all those who want to open new horizons and professional challenges and to be part of a team that wants and desires to be winning.A Curriculum enriched by foreign languages spoken fluently is your great business card. No one will ever say : "you do not speak this language you are not eligible to hold that position".

 Study and learn new languages open new horizons and of course always help you to know deeply new cultures,new realities,new products and new businesses.When you are preparing to make a trip to a country,for pleasure or business many times you think. ·"Oh I would like to speak the language of that country,communication is a very important factor regardless of how long you will remain in that destination, knowing the local language is absolutely a primary advantage.Further more if you decide to live in another country, the first thing to dois learning the local language, for obvious reasons of integration,culture and lifestyle. .

Being able to communicate fluently helps a lot to learn about the culture, traditions, history,customs, folklore and even the social aspects of a country and especially to have a fast and  immediate direct contact with the reality that surrounds you.

The first feelings when you speak a foreign language is very positive, because you can immediately ask for information,dale more trivial example on the table in a restaurant asking for clarification on the ingredients of a particular dish or the quality, the vintage and the goodness of a local wine,or asking in a a store or in a shop the quality and origin of a particular product,until asking why that event cultural, historical and folkloric or more to enter into conversations more detailed with all people with the opportunity to know further more the local culture.

Many artists, philosophers,writers,poets,although they mainly wrote in their native languages,some of them studied or lived for a period abroad for a medium or long term in order to learn a new language,an extreme advantage of being able to communicate with everyone,gave them the opportunity to face every topic,gave them inspiration,learn a new culture open new horizons,write new stories and their experiences and knowledge always arouse interest, to draw.

Johan Wolfgang Goethe magnificent German writer, poet and playwright, father of the Romanticism Movement and of the Weltiliteratur,the World literature said something very significant :"Who does not know foreign languages, knows nothing of their own." Goethe spoke in German,his mother tongue a fluent French and English, an excellent Italian, he studied privately, Jewish and he continued to study in his life Latin language and Literature.Goethe read the works of Moliere and Racine in French and Shakespeare in English.If we think Goethe could not communicate or understand English,French or Italian or without knowledge of Latin would have been that great writer who has conquered the world with its literary masterpieces?

William Shakespeare,probably on the greatest playwright of our history,the genius of English literature and most beloved poet of British culture continued without pausing to read the works of Ovidius and Virgil in Latin,he communicated discreetly in Italian and read the works of Cervantes in Spanish.Without this basis we are confident that the genius of Shakespeare have transcended the boundaries of Great Britain and fascinated readers around the world?

Other examples that could be cited are those of Henri Beyle, better known as Stendhal considered the father of that movement called Realism.The writer of Grenoble lived for many years in Italy, spoke a perfect Italian,read the Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri totally and completely in Italia communicated well in English reading so much Shakespeare.Stendhal  continued to study some of the Old French derivations of the modern French Language such as the langue  d'oil and the langue d'oc called Neo Latin languages and also considered Romance languages part of the culture of the past but always an advantage for him to write with impressive talent and inspiration.

In more modern times we could mention Ernest Hemingway, Nobel Prize of Literature and Pultzer,a brilliant writer and journalist from Illinois.He lived for many years in Cuba,He learnt   and spoke Spanish.Cuban experience served him so much to know more deeply the Hispanic and Caribbean culture including he wrote from this experience of one of his major works: The Old and the Sea.Hemimgway also lived in France,in Paris,he spoke French and Italian as well.The natural talent of the American writer,his experiences, and the desire to communicate in different languages to draw inspiration helped him a lot in proclaiming as one of the most popular writers of the 20th century.

A final consideration I would like to mention with an examples could be Maximilian Berlirz a German teacher and pedagogue who emigrated to the USA in the second half of the 19th centuty.Mr.Berlitz spoke in addition to the German,his mother tongue, English, French, Greek and Latin.He created an Empire for what regards Institutes of language teaching with a presence in every continent from Tokyo to Rome,from Sydney to Rio De Janeiro, from New York to Paris.I invite you to read the story of Berlitz and its institutions by  the origin until today, it is very interesting and rich in content, experiences and strategies that this Lord of German origin to transmit people the study of foreign language.

Currently,for that which pertains to possible future business,partnerships and collaborations if you speak more foreign languages potential collaborator parties can never tell you or try to make you understand,we have communication problems, difficult to collaborate with you or doing business and initiating projects geared towards a particular country.

.Apart English language spoken internationally and in the vast majority of the World,if you want to make South America, Central America or Spain one of your main destination or a major source of your projects,your markets,your marketing strategies,it is a great advantage to speak Spanish the same for Portuguese if you want to enhance your knowledge with destinations in Europe such as Portugal or Brazil in America.

The French as well as in France,a language spoken in Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg and in the North West of Italy (Val D'Aosta Region is a bilingual Italian-speaking Italian and French) helps a lot about contacts with the countries of North Africa, particularly with the countries of the Maghreb, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and the West Coast,Senegal, for example.

The German is a language apart spoken in Germany,Austria,Switzerland, very useful in the countries of Central Europe,due to the historical and cultural background and today linked to Economical and Financial aspects from the Czech Republic to Slovakia, from Hungary to the Italian South Tirol in the Italian Trentino Alto Adige Region, from Slovenia to Poland.

Even the Italian helps a lot,apart Italy,you can speak Italian in a part of Switzerland,Slovenia, in Croatia,Tunisia,Egypt,Montenegro and in some areas of Greece there is many people Italian speaking.

Today,to know more languages can be a very important business card for you.Myself personally I've always had a great approach with the languages.I studied languages, I practised a lot with my experiences abroad where I lived in different countries working in the Industry of Tourism,I learnt and I speak six languages and I know a couple more at a general level.I am not put off not when attending interviews in language, technical interviews, written tests and oral and with regard to to a specific product, whatever it is at the level of many international destinations,written in direct, a live program or a route and especially love to share my experiences and also listen to or read the experiences of other people,reading or talking with people from every country.

In my honest opinion thee basic concept of a serious company is to be competitive and with the idea creating great team with many resources.A very good team needs play makers, guards and pivots in basketball,in the football team without  strikers,men of creativity  and imagination and strong defenders can not be a winner team,in motor sports if there are notvalid engineers,technicians but also mechanics,it is very difficult to win competitions and to be at the highest levels.

I suggeest and recommend to all,regardless every sector or area in which you work or where you want to work to learn,study and practise foreign languages,enhance your resume, your skills, your knowledge, no intelligent Recruiter Company can never say :" you do not speak this language,you can not cover this position," because certainly all that goes against their professional image and prestige and lose of course the chances to give teams,companies who seek excellent team players to be included in their teams, what they really need and want so much to conquer new trophies and goals.


Francesco Mari

A very interesting Mountain Bike Route from the Altomilanese,through the Insubria Varesina and the Seprio Comasco,crossing three Lombardy provinces,Milan,Varese and Como.A very good test and training for good Mountain Bikers and Cyclists on a mixed route finishing in the splendid Parco Pineta.



 Today I would like to suggest you a very interesting
Mountain Bike Route from the Altomilanese,through the Insubria Varesina  and the Seprio Comasco  Comasco,crossing three Lombardy provinces ,Milan,Varese and Como.A very good test and training for good cyclists on a mixed route.

 A very interesting route itinerary within a few kilometres across three provinces of Lombardy.Milan province in the area north of Milan,called Altomilanese starting from Legnano, famous city 27 km from the capital of Lombardy, crossing the Insubria Varesina with the towns of Castellanza,Marnate,Olgiate and Gorla in the province of Varese and the province of Como with the area of the Seprio Comasco crossing the towns of Mozzate,Limido Comasco,Lurago Marinone,Veniano until the splendid Pineta Park of Tradate and Appiano Gentile.

Let's start from Legnano from the historic Piazza San Magno,with its  Basilica built in Renaissance style in the 16th century, designed by Giovanni Antonio Amadeo,the famous genius architect from Paviia so popular for its great works of art in Milan, Bergamo,Pavia and Saronno.The actual Basilica was built over another church and it contains works by great artists such as Luini and Lanino,it is the vital centre, the heart of this historic city, famous for its Medieval Palio one of the most important in Italy after the Siena Palio ,remembering  the legendary battle that took place in this area between Frederick Barbarossa of Swabia and the allied municipalities of different Italian provinces leaded by the hero Alberto da Giussano.

The suggested route is a mixed itinerary with small climbs,curves,up and downs,a couple of  long straights,good  to pull long gears,and then an itinerary between hills, countryside and very attractive woods.

From the historic Piazza take direction Corso Sempione,the long national road leading to Milan and then turn on the left and follow the signals for Varese-Castellanza.After about 2 km turn right and continue entering in Castellanza taking Viale Lombardia, surpassing the tracks of the Northern Milan Railway Milan,where the Malpensa Express train connects the Airport to the city of Saronno continue in direction to Marnate.It is a long Avenue of about 2,5 km

After  a roundabout begins an ascent of about 300 meters that can easily be done with a long gear and you come to Marnate.This small town was an ancient settlement Celto-Ligurian subsequently a Roman Castrum, on the west bank of the river Olona,During Roman Empire it was as little port used to transport goods and material to Mediolanum the actual city of Milan on the river and was reportedly for a few days in this place lived Frederick Barbarossa who stopped to Marnate after being wounded in a battle next to the river Ticino.

When you are in Marnate turn on the left Marnate in Via Valle and follow the signals to Olgiate Olona, pass down a small bridge over the river Olona,the descent is quite steep and the bridge has a curve quite insidious.Over the bridge you are in the middle of the Olona Valley and follow the road called Via Per Marnate,the road is not very wide,there is a little of up and down and after 400 mt approximately,you start a climb of about 500 meters,the first part is enough hard with a slope of about 7% in a small stretch and two bends,one very ample.

At the end of the climb you will be at Olgiate Olona in Via Tovo,over the bridge of the Motorway A8.Turn right in Via De Gasperi,a flat road of about 500 meters and then turn onto Via Diaz.The road continues up to a small roundabout next the Market Square and continue along Via Isonzo from here follow the signs to Gorla Minore with a steep descent of about 700 meters,the first curve is a little dangerous so be careful.

After hen a slight slope of 250 meters,you start a new climb of about 350 meters no hard about 4%,with two bends,the first is very ample,be careful to the second bend,it is in a point where the road becomes more closely and you are here in Prospiano hamlet of the town of Gorla Minore.Latin and ancient Roman settlement from which it derives its name, which means Gorula,curve of the river Olona and Minore means Minor,small.In this area there was a Roman Castrum  in which were found some Roman remains.From here, take Via Raimondi and continue toward Via Colombo in a small slight slope up to a roundabout.

At the end of the climb there is roundabout turn left towards Tradate taking the SP19 the provincial road.The road is flat flanked by fields and small woods until  to Gorla Maggiore,(where the river Olona has a wide curve).After about 4.0 km flat,at a roundabout take direction Como.You are cycling on Via Como,the road at the beginning is is flat,when you enter in a wide woods full of chestnut, locust and oak,start some slight ups and downs until,curves,after the woods,the road start to be flat once again and you left after about 5 km the Province of the Insubria Varesina entering in the Seprio Comasco in the Province of Como in the town of Mozzate.This small town of Celtic origin crossed by several small streams such as Bozzente, Bozzentino and Antiga was a Celt settlement in ancient time,later Roman and Lombard stronghold,an important crossroad from Como to the Southern Varesine Valleys to transport goods and agricultural products.

From Mozzate follow the signs Como taking the National Road Statale 233, passing through the towns of Limido Comasco and Lurago Marinone the road is pretty flat when you reach the town of  Veniano the road start to be hilly and, after some ups and downs you start to climb a slight hill above 300 meters in Veniano to 3%, 4% before to arrive at Appiano Gentile at an altitude of 366 meters.Appiano Gentile historically is famous for being a stronghold of the noble Visconti family and the Duchy of Milan as well as having very interesting churches of 1500 and 1600 and it is also known for the "Pinetina" the training centre Angelo Moratti training centre of the football club FC Inter.

In Appiano Gentile you can enjoy in Mountain bike the splendid Parco Pineta the the Pines Park of Appiano Gentile and Tradate there are different hilly path in an area of 4.860 acres filled with pines, acacias,birches, elms,oaks and chestnuts,a green lung with some species of protected animals about 100 such as hawks,buzzards and other birds,dormice and a rare species of a local red squirrel.

This route of about 43 km, suitable for all good cyclists and mountain bikers a great training on a mixed route crossing a few kilometres in three Lombard provinces Milan, Varese and Como,The Altomilanese,the Insubria Varesina and the Seprio Comasco.It is an excellent natural itinerary,but also historical,with interesting cultural  small towns and the beautiful natural scenery at the end of the Parco Pineta where you can continue here cycling in a splendid hilly natural park.

Francesco Mari



 www.valleolona.com
 www.parcopineta.org 
www.laprovinciadicomo.it
 www.vareselandoftourism.it
 www.legnano.eu

Trentino and Lake Garda,Two Names and One Fascinating Spot Saying : A Dream Holiday all Year.



When you visit Lake Garda, the reference is unique:you are spending  in this place,on this wonderful lake a dream holiday.Located in the North East of the Italian Peninsula,this water jewel of about 370 square kilometres is situated in a land probably blessed by the Gods of Nature.The Trentino  is a territory, part of the Italian Region called Trentino Alto Adige that occupies the northern side,the upper part of this magnificent lake,picturesque landscapes and towns between hills,mountains,small villages perched on cliffs of fairytale.

 Cities as Torbole and Riva del Garda do not need ads,they emerged alone with their splendour, charm,their colours,their history and the many cultural sport and leisure activities and events they offer combined with thei mild climate all year,this area of Italy called Trentino is an ideal destination for everyone and to choose immediately without hesitation.

This lake also called Lake Benaco or in Latin language Benacus ir is also famous for the historical and legendary battle between the Roman legions of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius Valerius Claudius and the Alemanns people from what is now Germany.It is a lake with a length of 52.5 km and a width of 42, 5 km, offering the opportunity for excursion visiting many towns on the shores of the Garda of Trentino o but also of other provinces such as Verona and Brescia, from the beautiful Sirmione fascinating legendary Spa resort since the time of Catullus,the captivating Limone del Garda, Desenzano,Saló, Peschiera an many other places rich of ancient history,all to visit, discover and enjoy.

Lake Garda offers a mild climate all year,there are never cold temperatures,Torbole is one of the most popular destinations internationally known by windsurfers from around the world.The gastronomy of Lake Garda is absolutely excellent, from fish to risotti, polenta,soups,meats, pastas and delicious dessert. Garda wines, like the famous Bardolino, but also Chiaretto, Lugana, Custoza and the Tocai are among the most prestigious wines in the world.

With a depth of 352 meters Lake Garda is also a great place for diving,The waters are very clean and there are destinations that provide optimal experiences for diving,so many people finds in this lake an excellent destination to take advantage of their passion for this sport.About other water sports,you can enjoy on the Garda shores, swimming, water skiingat high levels,boating and fishing.For those who love Spa and Wellness tourism,Trentino offers Spas at absolutely high level and listed among the most prestigious in Europe.

The Benaco Lake offers a big variety to practise other activities,trekking and adventure sports with fantastic hiking in the surrounding mountains,trails, the lake is very close to the Stelvio National Park.offering climbs and paths with different difficulties.Excellent chances for lovers of cycling,with mountain passes in the Dolomites of Brenta and Adamello, Valsugana, Folgaria, and for Mountain bike lovers there are Molveno,the Altipiani di Piné and the Valli Giudicarie.

You have not to forget the winter sports,Lake Garda is very close to Val Rendena with the famous ski resort of Madonna di Campiglio and the other valleys Val di Fassa and Folgaria, Val di Fiemme and Val di Non are also excellent for cross-country skiing lovers.

Something more about this Paradise? From Trentino Lake Garda you have many opportunities to visit historical cities such as Trento a beautiful city with a magnificent castle to be framed in the most beautiful pictures of your albums,the magnificent Verona,city of Romeo and Juliet is one hour and fifteen minutes away, the Lioness of Italy,Brescia.From Trentino Garda you can also visit South Tirol,with the beautiful city of Bolzano South Tyrol, Bressanone, Merano, Brunico and the Alpine valleys of Val Gardena with its jewel Ortisei and the  Val Venosta with its wild and unspoiled landscapes.

The Lake Garda is a unique destination offers all that and much more.You decide if  you want to spend an unforgettable holiday throughout all the year on this lake,a dream destination, a holiday you will remember for ever.

Francesco Mari


www.visittrentino.it
 www.gardatrentino.it
www.gardalake.it
 www.tr3ntino.it
 www.provincia.tn.it
 www.turismo.provincia.tn.it

IHG Hotels & Resorts | Signed an Agreement to Open a Regent Hotel in Chengdu, China

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