The way we do tourism has been changing for a few years. When choosing a destination, travellers are now looking for less overcrowded places, and in many cases for a trip that feels more sustainable and kind to the planet. A region located in central Italy called Abruzzo it’s the perfect choice for trying new and sustainable ways of doing tourism. Abruzzo welcomes travellers that are willing to connect with nature, slow down and enjoy a new place in a more ecological way. Here is when projects like the one we’re just about to show you in a second come to play.
When travelling far away where the main attraction is nature, the first thing we think about is: how do we get there? where do we rent a car to move around? Well, here’s a twist: you don’t need a car if you can get a horse! In Abruzzo you can discover the magnificence of the Gran Sasso by a horse, a unique, calming but yet an incredibly and exciting experience.
We got the opportunity to talk with Damiano Crognali, a filmmaker, writer and podcaster who recently filmed a video to show his trip to the Ippovia del Gran Sasso (the longest in Italy), showing in detail this magical journey. He was invited by his friend Gianni Galeota to enjoy this unique activity and show it to the world through his videos.
After watching Damiano’s film, we got so excited about this innovative and sustainable way of tourism that we decided to ask him a few questions about his experience. We learned that there’s a project in development (Nexum Equum Ippovia del Gran Sasso) to make this activity even more accessible for everybody! The website is still under construction but keep an eye on it because it will go live at any moment https://www.ippoviagransasso.it/.
Now we’re going to let Damiano do the talking, we are sure you’ll enjoy this chat as much as we did and it will make you add a “horse trip in Abruzzo” to your wish list!
As Damiano said on the video: "The Gran Sasso! The heart of Abruzzo!" Picture by: crognali.it
TCND: Gianni invited you to enjoy this experience. He mentions that the best way to get to know Abruzzo is by riding a horse. Based on your experience, do you agree with this statement?
DC: Absolutely! Mainly for these three reasons: it’s sustainable, calming and unique. In Abruzzo, we got the longest Ippovia (horse trail) of Italy, which is spectacular! As I said before, the fact that’s also sustainable makes it an experience that has all the ingredients to enjoy a breathtaking trip.
TCND: Is this type of trip suitable for everyone? Is it required to take lessons before riding a horse?
DC: I would say so, you do not have to be a professional horse rider (or jockey). As you travel around the Ippovia there will be expert guides in the area to help you throughout the whole journey. These guides will teach you all the basics so you can ride a horse safely. Regardless, I would recommend taking a lesson before starting your trip. A small training will be required which could make riding a horse feel quite natural.
TCND: How did you organise the trip? Did you eat and sleep out or went back home at the end of the day?
DC: No, I stopped and slept at Gianni’s, he invited me to check the paths together with Demiogene who is also checking on the project. I filmed some material for them but also for my own channel because I want to tell everybody about this project that is currently under construction! In the future, there’s going to be different places along the paths where people can sleep and eat. Those places are buildings with a historic value that they plan to bring back to life so people can sleep inside Abruzzo’s historic buildings! At the moment you can find hotels and maneggi which are basically schools that teach you how to ride the horse along the path.
This is currently the vehicle needed to transport the horse. With the Project "Nexum Equum Ippovia del Gran Sasso" this won't be needed anymore. Picture by: crognali.it
TCND: We understand the project itself and website are still under construction. Do you have any other information about it that you can share with us?
DC: Yes, the website it’s still under construction. I was invited to make the official video to launch the project and it should be online very soon hopefully. It’s a very interesting project because it wants to make available for everybody a type of tourism that it might feel almost exclusive sometimes.
TCND: What did you enjoy the most about this trip?
DC: I really enjoyed the calmness, just yourself relaxing on a horse. I was in the middle east, in a totally different part of the world and I came back to Italy because of the pandemic. I was going through a difficult personal situation at the time, so for me, it was the perfect opportunity to just relax, detach, and rebuild a new relationship with myself. The horse really helped me to do that. I had to create a relationship with the horse, and in order to do it, I had to reflect on some issues I had within myself so I’ll be able to connect with the horse. It was a beautiful trip, therapeutic I must say.
If you want to know more details about Damiano’s trip at the Ippovia del Gran Sasso, check the interview in full here:
If this post has inspired you to add Abruzzo to your wish list of new places to visit, please do not hesitate to drop us a line as we would love to assist you in planning your trip. You can contact us via social media or emailing us at thecitynextdoor.seb@gmail.com.