Looking for a trip to take on these October weekends? Why not combine the wonder of admiring forests ablaze with the most beautiful colors and a mouthwatering culinary event? From October 24 to November 9, the polenta taragna festival will take place in Spirano. And then October and November are the best time to watch autumn change the look of nature.
Polenta taragna is a must in Bergamo cuisine, also waiting for you are braised meats, porcini mushrooms, cotechini and homemade desserts.
While to admire the foliage you can plan a bike ride along the bike path in the Brembana Valley, for example from Zogno to San Giovanni da Zanni Bianco.
Can both be done? Let’s look at a few examples
The polenta festival and the foliage
If you want, you can organize both but it takes good organization because the festival and the bike ride are a 34-50 km apart, for example:
- Take October 24, the first day of the festival, go to Val Brembana, ride the bike path and enjoy the foliage. Once the ride is done take the car and go to the sagra. Travel time is about 2 hours. It is best to add extra time for uphill or tunnel sections and several breaks to take picturesque photos since the foliage will surely invite you to do so. Once finished you pick up and head to the festival to refresh yourself.
- Small tip. A particularly recommended spot along the way (or with a short detour) is the medieval village of Camerata Corn ello (Cornello dei Tasso), near San Giovanni Bianco. The village itself, perched on the rock, and the surrounding woods are stunning in autumn.
Just a few facts about the hamlet named earlier: authentic, magical, well-preserved and even isolated is this hamlet reachable only on foot. The hamlet has linked its name to the ancient Tasso family, known worldwide for the poetic talents of Torquato Tasso and for the entrepreneurial skills of some of its exponents who, starting in the 16th century, managed the imperial post of the Habsburgs.
In short, polenta + foliage will give you an exciting out-of-town excursion to mark and make as soon as possible.