Travel as an instrument of knowledge, exchange and, above all, peace. This is the philosophy that animates the XVIII edition of IT.A.CÀ – Festival of Responsible Tourism, a now historic event which, since 2009, invites you to explore Italy with awareness and respect. This year, the festival comes of age, and does so with a powerful and more relevant message than ever: “Geographies of peace – mobility/rsi across borders and cultures”.
Geographies of peace: an urgent topic for conscious travel
In an era marked by growing tensions and barriers, IT.A.CÀ proposes a profound reflection on the way we move and interact with the world. Imagining “Geographies of Peace” means transforming borders from elements of separation into places of meeting and discussion. Responsible tourism and mobility thus become essential tools for building human relationships, promoting listening and respect for different cultures and traditions.
As Pierluigi Musarò, co-founder of the Festival, underlines: “The geographies of peace transform borders from lines of separation to spaces of meeting, exchange and relationship. In a time of fear and disillusionment, marked by conflicts and closures, mobility – for travel or migration – can become a gesture of listening, respect and openness.” A concept also reiterated by Sonia Bregoli, co-founder and manager of the national network, who sees the festival as an engine of sustainable and socially responsible development.
The invitation is clear: moving means understanding, not just consuming or photographing. Accept the limit as a value and cross territories to enhance their differences, contributing to the birth of open, inclusive and supportive communities.
An Italy to discover in 16 stages between nature and culture
From June to October, IT.A.CÀ 2026 will involve 8 Italian regions – Emilia Romagna, Trentino Alto Adige, Umbria, Sardinia, Sicily, Lombardy, Marche, Piedmont – through 16 stages full of educational and naturalistic events. Each stage, co-planned with local realities, will tell its own vision of the “Geographies of Peace”.
Valle Panaro: paths, flavors and integration
The Valle Panaro stage (Emilia Romagna), from 21 June to 6 September, inaugurates the festival with a walk along the Panaro River Park, a 7 km route through landscapes, thoughts and words dedicated to peace. The event will include the inauguration of Ivano Venturelli’s photographic exhibition “Humanity in the eyes” and tastings of drinks and flavors from foreign communities. The XII International Yoga Day will not be missing with “Breaths from the world”. In August, the exploration will continue between Castelvetro (with a photographic exhibition dedicated to the territory and an inclusive trekking) and Spilamberto, where we will talk about accessibility, the right to travel and “Words that walk”, a journey between memory and interculture.
Valle di Ledro: soundscapes and historical memory
Valle di Ledro, Giudicarie Esteriori – Biosphere reserve (Trentino Alto Adige), from 3 July to 1 August, will focus on the themes of landscape and peace. The itinerary will open with a tribute to Alexander Langer, pacifist and ecologist, and a talk on the work of Goffredo Fofi. There will be a touching exhibition of drawings by children from Ukraine and Palestine. Participants will enjoy trekking among ancient fortifications, guided soundwalks and lectures on the impact of climate change on outdoor sports, as well as explorations of the “inner landscape” and meetings on art and nature in the Middle Ages.
Valnerina and Valle Spoletana: in the footsteps of Saint Francis
The Valnerina and Valle Spoletana stage (Umbria), from 7 to 23 August, will propose a Franciscan declination of the theme, focused on the footsteps of Saint Francis as a promoter of peace between man and nature. The use of buses will be encouraged to raise awareness of sustainable mobility and the adoption of the “Traveller’s Charter”, which translates the principles of “Laudato si'” into concrete actions of environmental and social respect. An interactive walk on integral ecology and trekking on the Way of Francis will be among the key events.
New synergies for more ethical and sustainable tourism
This edition sees important collaborations and renewed partnerships. Banca Etica, the only bank that does not finance productions harmful to the environment and people, supports the festival, sharing the vision of an economy that places well-being at its centre. The collaboration with AMODO – Sweet Mobility Alliance is consolidated, to promote sustainability in daily and tourist mobility. The commitment has been renewed with AITR (Italian Association of Responsible Tourism), Legambiente and Borghi Autentici d’Italia, pillars of ethical tourism in Italy.
The art of IT.A.CÀ: the manifesto of the XVIII edition
The IT.A.CÀ 2026 poster, created by the artist Paola Selene Fiorino, visualizes the theme of the festival with a market suspended on a bridge between worlds. A powerful image that symbolizes borders not as barriers, but as spaces for meeting and exchange, where cultures and stories merge in a peaceful and daily dialogue.
IT.A.CÀ is more than a festival: it is an invitation to rediscover the value of travel as a profound, conscious and transformative experience. It is a unique opportunity for citizens, travelers and communities to come together in a project that enhances the environment, promotes inclusion and builds a peaceful future, one step at a time. To discover all the programs and dates of the stages, visit the official website: www.festivalitaca.net.
