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Le vie di Dante (the ways of Dante), a true gem of slow tourism 2021

A relaxed journey through nature and culture, between the two significant cities in the life of the Supreme Poet: Florence and Ravenna.

Le Vie di Dante, (The Ways of Dante) is the path that celebrates the 700th anniversary of the poet's death, offering the opportunity to retrace his journey between Florence and Ravenna, his birthplace and the city where he died. It’s the only Italian attraction listed in the Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2021 - Sustainability: a true gem of slow tourism.

What the path includes

A journey between Emilia Romagna and Tuscany, crossing the Apennines, that allows you to immerse yourself in nature and culture by visiting some of the palaces, medieval castles, villages, and small artisan and food and wine businesses that are among the most beautiful in our country. A slow journey in which time stops, as you follow in the footsteps of Dante Alighieri, from his birth, his career as a poet, knight and politician in Florence, passing through his ups and downs and ultimate exile in the Tuscan lands, finally reaching Ravenna, in Emilia Romagna, where you can find Dante's remains and tomb.

Photo credits: viedidante.it/citta/firenze/

How to follow the path

There are many ways to follow the Poet's journey, with routes suitable for every type of traveler. In the network of itineraries and paths offered by the Vie di Dante, the main route is the Cammino di Dante (Dante’s Way), a distance of 395 km to be undertaken in 20 stages, bringing you from Ravenna to Florence and back, even going through the rugged nature of the Apennines.

There are numerous trekking routes for those who prefer to use their feet. For bicycle lovers, it’s possible to cycle along the historic Via Faentina.

Another highlight is the Dante Train that connects Faenza to Florence via Marradi, sliding along the Faentina Railway. You pass through the Lamone, Mugello and Sieve valleys, the woods of the Casentinesi Forests National Park, up to Florence. Make sure to keep your eyes glued to the window!

Photo credits: https://www.viedidante.it/citta/faenza/

The Municipalities of the Vie di Dante

The interregional project involves 36 municipalities in Tuscany and Romagna. The proposals and experiences include the seven main municipalities of Dante: Florence, Scarperia e San Piero, Borgo San Lorenzo, Marradi, Faenza, Brisighella and Ravenna.

The Casentino itinerary features a valley filled with medieval castles and villages. We also visit Montemignaio, Castel San Niccolò, Pratovecchio Stia, Poppi, Chiusi della Verna, Bibbiena, Chitignano, Subbiano, Talla, Castel Focognano and Ortignano-Raggiolo.

The culture, landscape, food and wine of these places is, to use an adjective dear to Dante, divine.

Photo credits: https://www.viedidante.it/itinerario-nel-casentino/

Arriving in Florence

Florence, the city that raised Dante and who remains one of its most illustrious citizens, pays homage particularly in the Year of Dante with unmissable events throughout 2021. They offer the opportunity to discover the city’s link with the Poet with countless itineraries and guided tours of the monuments that have most marked his life: his Birthplace, Palazzo Vecchio, churches and basilicas and much more.

A few suggestions:

Book your hotel in Florence on Destination Florence. Enjoy!


Header photo credits: https://www.viedidante.it/