From September 23 to 25, Monteriggioni and the portion of the via Francigena pilgrimage route that intersects it will host the Slow Travel Fest, a celebration of mindful exploration on foot and by bike. The festival will feature a series of excursions, lectures by leading figures and authors in the slow travel movement, pop-up performances and concerts in the cloister at Abbadia a Isola—all completely free.
Aerial view of Monteriggioni
Outings during the festival will be coordinated by the Andare a Zonzo association and many will have themed itineraries, focused on botany, geology or land history. Numerous family-friendly activities will be available, including scavenger hunts, outdoor workshops and a circus show to close out the festivities.
At the end of a hard day’s hike, festival attendees can enjoy world music outdoors. Baro Drom Orkestar, Puerto Sureno and Peppe Voltarelli are just a few of the groups and artists who will perform. Visual arts and current events will also play a role: photographer Rocco Rorandelli of the Terra Project group will exhibit his “Balkan Route” reportage, featuring images taken from a drone and following the Balkan migratory pathways. “Bici e Mappe” will instead showcase Riccardo Guasco’s and Francesco Poroli’s maps and illustrations, which depict travel by bicycle.
The festival takes on particular significance this year, since the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage has declared 2016 the National Year of Walks. For full program details, see the website.
