Among all the things I do as a local guide, what I like most is reviewing natural parks, which is why I decided to make it one of the primary objectives of my mission as a member of this community.
Now you may be asking yourself, where does this interest in woods, dirt roads, and everything that exudes chlorophyll come from? Well, we must go back over a few years and try to understand it together!
For as long as I can remember (and even before then), nature has always been a predominant part of my life.
I was born in Southern Italy between the blooming of the Mediterranean bush countryside and flocks of grazing sheep, far enough from the city to perceive that detachment from the frenetic world which has become almost therapeutic for many people nowadays.
I grew up in my grandparents’ farm surrounded by a huge garden much more like a forest, with plants of all types and origins; here, the animals were free to scratch, and the boundaries between the garden and the countryside were not perceptible.
Today? If I’m being honest, not much has changed. I am not a teenager anymore, I am a dentist, and I have traveled a lot between Italy and Europe. Whenever I am not working, I organize trekking and campings with my closest friends, preferring for now Italian natural parks which are accessible to everyone. Through my shots I try to share the highlights of my trips, suggesting the must-see places and possibly showing where to camp or simply eat something tasty. My last camping in the Pollino National Park in Basilicata has been a magnificent experience I had the pleasure to share with the whole community through photos, reviews and a list on Google Maps called: “On the Trail of Gods’ Garden,” where my friends and I went in search of the famous “Pino Loricato.” Another example worth sharing is the trekking I did in the splendid natural reserve of Torre Guaceto in Puglia, Italy. From this stunning place you can admire the native flora and fauna of this southern region, and if you are lucky, you will be able to see flocks of migratory birds that stop there to rest. I haven’t reviewed many national parks for now, but as local guide, my goal for the future is to try to visit as many parks as possible, perhaps even overseas, creating lists from which anyone can take a cue in planning his own adventure.
Trampling the dirty roads, admiring the view from a peak or closing my eyes while smelling the scent of the undergrowth makes me feel ALIVE, but really ALIVE! Suddenly, I no longer worry about what is going to happen tomorrow, nor about what happened yesterday; it is just me and that wonderful sphere called earth, with all its unique beauties and imperfections that make me rejoice to be simply ALIVE! I would love that, through my reviews and my articles, others may be inspired to live, even in part, what I have experienced with my travels.
As I am writing these lines, Italy and the rest of the world are experiencing the serious pandemic of Covid-19. I am locked in my house like millions of people trying my best to contain the increase in the number of infections. However, it is in moments like this that we should appreciate our travels. Being a local guide has taught me that it is possible to travel even with our imagination only, through the experiences shared by other people like me. My thoughts go to all those whose existence has been distorted by this tragic event, hoping that we will all be able to walk those dirt roads again very soon.
Bon voyage!
Luca