Rovigo

Placing the value of Italian agriculture above all else. This is the essence of Fondazione Campagna Amica, established in 2008 to implement initiatives to enhance the profile and prestige of the farming sector, and highlight the important role it plays in protecting the environment, land, traditions and culture. But the initiative has a wider aim, because farming is also essential to guarantee health, food safety, equity, access to food at a fair price, as well as assuring cohesion in social and work contexts. To this end, at its heart, Coldiretti’s initiative represents a major commitment to awareness-raising activities and initiatives aimed at safeguarding health, the environment, culture and local traditions.

GUARANTEED QUALITY

Italian rules and regulations help, as they rigorously regulate farming practices. Respect for these rules guarantees and certifies the quality of farm produce throughout the production chain from field to fork. In many other countries such rules are non-existent or much less stringently enforced. And that’s the idea behind the decision to set up Campagna Amica, the foundation established by Coldiretti, the first major national network of direct sales points from producer to consumer, with members ranging from agriturismos, company direct sales outlets, farmers’ markets and farming cooperatives. These outlets provide an assurance of seasonal, fresh and 100% Italian-grown products.

ITALIAN EXCELLENCE

Campagna Amica supports Italian farming in three principal areas: direct sales, tourism and eco-sustainability. It is a benchmark for anyone interested in the future of the environment, the land, food quality and ultimately our lifestyles. To this end, it organises and promotes centres of excellence throughout the Italian agricultural supply chain from producer to consumer, and champions local production. It showcases the value of high-quality tourist businesses carefully selected and promoted by Terranostra – the Coldiretti association that supports tourism within the countryside and promotes our wonderful national produce. But the association’s work goes further, because it initiates and supports campaigns for safeguarding our forests, lakes and rivers, as well as promoting biodiversity and contributing to the development of renewable energies. In addition, it monitors prices, lifestyles and eating habits, as well as producing knowledge and information tools aimed at fostering healthier eating and promoting lifestyles more in tune with the environment and the use of its resources.

Polesine is a rich, colourful area with much to see, straddling the lower part of the Veneto, the border with Lombardy, and the Adriatic Sea. It’s an area just waiting to be explored, with an enviable wealth of gastronomic delights. The Polesine is a long strip of fertile plain which boasts some excellent produce, including Lusia PGI Lettuce, Po Delta PGI rice, Polesano PDO white garlic and Chioggia PDO Radicchio. Lying within the province of Rovigo, Polesine’s tasty, famed farm produce is grown within a reclaimed area criss-crossed with canals and waterways and dotted with pumping stations. It’s also an area brimming with charm which offers much for the tourist: the Po Delta Natural Park is a true wonder of nature that’s well worth exploring by bike and a romantic sunset here is a truly awe-inspiring spectacle. The area also contains a wealth of archaeological and cultural riches – with many archaeological digs still ongoing – and thousands of artefacts may be viewed in museums as well as in the open air. Many of the area’s towns also boast interesting Centri Storici (old towns) with much to explore.

SO MUCH TO DISCOVER

Gourmands will find Polesine a true treat for the taste buds, with a wealth of fine foods available because the fertile soils here guarantee a great variety of gourmet delights. The local Lusia PGI lettuce comes in several varieties: Cappuccia (aka Capitata) and Crispa (aka Gentile) enjoy Protected Geographical Indication status and are cultivated in the municipalities of Badia Polesine, Lendinara, Costa di Rovigo, Fratta Polesine, Villanova del Ghebbo and also in the neighbouring province of Padua. Luisa lettuce has a fleshy, short stem around 2-6 centimetres long, with leaf shape and colour varying according to climate. It has a fresh, crunchy taste, and when grown in greenhouses, slightly less compact leaves. Another local speciality is Polesano white garlic, known locally as “Polesine white gold”, which is grown in 29 municipalities and has been well known for almost two centuries with mention of it in documents dating back to 1833. It’s ideal for enhancing the taste of a broad variety of dishes, including soups, sauces or stews, and is also excellent in the super-classic Italian recipe Spaghetti aglio, olio e peperoncino (Spaghetti with garlic, oil and chilli pepper). It’s a highly-prized vegetable in the kitchen (eaten raw, whole or chopped, powdered, or crushed) and also widely appreciated for its many therapeutic properties as it lowers blood pressure, regulates the cardiovascular system and is antibacterial, antiseptic and a natural expectorant. The garlic is harvested in July but is sold all year round.

Enjoy the great outdoors on two wheels surrounded by splendid villas while enjoying superior-quality food and produce. Paolo Tamburini is a Professional Bike Guide based in Villa Giulia, a well-known spa in Jesolo, set within a splendid garden just a stone’s throw from the Venetian lagoon. Paolo has spent many years competing in off-road Enduro, Rally and Marathon races, and has been Italian champion several times. An avid cyclist since 2006, he’s also taken part in some of the world’s most extreme races, both on- and off-road. This led to his decision to turn his passion into his profession. After successfully completing mountain bike guide training with the National MTB Academy in Finale Ligure, he became a professional bike guide with AIG2R, acquiring the licence to guide both groups and individual cyclists.

RIDES FILLED WITH TRADITION AND FLAVOURS

Paolo is constantly on the lookout for new routes and adventures to ensure his guests’ experiences are truly unforgettable and has put together a range of breathtaking two-wheeled tours suitable for all experience levels. The tours are your perfect way to enjoy the outdoors in good company, make new friends, share fantastic experiences, and admire spectacular landscapes and views – many of which can only be reached by bike. All trips are original and meticulously researched, ensuring you have the perfect opportunity to explore the local area and learn about the traditions and ancient flavours of Northern Italy, including the regions around Rovigo and Venice – Paolo’s back garden.

DISCOVERING THE DELTA DEL PO

In the Rovigo area our most popular ride is the Scoprire il Delta del Po (Discovering the Po Delta) tour: During this ride you’ll be able to admire the local fauna including several rare species as you cycle below sea level through this wetland paradise amid woods and canals. Along the way, you’ll skirt Valle Sagraeda, where you’ll be able to admire a large colony of pink flamingos. Guided safely by your professional bike guide, you’ll pedal along a mixture of asphalted cycle paths and dirt tracks next to the lagoon to reach a traditional Osteria, where we’ll stop for a break in good company, ensuring you have a truly unforgettable 2-wheeled experience.

To see all Paolo Guida Bike excursions, visit the guidabike.com website or follow our official Instagram and Facebook pages where you’ll find our fully updated calendar.

Paolo Guida Bike
Tel. + 39 335.6348001
paolo@guidabike.com