From 24 September to 27 September 2026, the Festival del Viaggio returns for its twenty-first edition.
Following the success of the previous twentieth edition, the 2026 edition will be dedicated to food, with events, talks and performances from 24 to 27 September at Palazzo Blu. The recent inclusion of ‘Italian cuisine’ on the UNESCO World Heritage List also, to some extent, recognises the various regional cuisines and fits perfectly within the category of travel, where food and wine are fundamental elements in discovering a region, its people and its culture. Food has now become a destination in its own right.
As well as discussing food and presenting musical and theatrical performances, the Festival del Viaggio will also offer the public tastings of a variety of high-quality dishes and desserts.
Admission is free for all events.
PROGRAMME
Thursday 24 September 2026
5.30 pm
Palazzo Blu
DEGUSTAZIONE GELATO - De’ Coltelli
Italy’s finest ice cream parlour will be offering two flavours to sample to mark the opening of the 21st edition of the first Italian Travel Festival
6.00 pm
Palazzo Blu
COSA MANGIA ZUBIN METHA with Raffaella Liberatore, personal chef to the world’s most famous conductor, featuring a video message from Maestro Zubin Mehta.
Interview with Marzia Stevenson Maestri, vice-president of the Italian Travellers’ Society.
Following
Palazzo Blu
ALTA PASTICCERIA - How to make wonderful desserts
with Loretta Fanella, a pastry chef who has worked with Enoteca Pinchiorri, Carlo Cracco and Ferran Adrià.
Interview with Mascha Stroobant, biologist.
8.00 pm
CESTINO MEDIORIENTALE. Free buffet by Al-Madina (small portions for 100 people)
Red wine tasting courtesy of Fattoria Collebrunacchi, San Miniato.
9.00 pm
Palazzo Blu
CUCURBITA SAPIENS ORCHESTRA. The band that plays pumpkins
Friday 25 September 2026
6.00 pm
Palazzo Blu
CIBO, STREGONI E MAGIA- Demoni e cuochi nel Medioevo with Andrea Maraschi, historian.
Interview with Massimo Trocchi, bookseller.
A CASA E AL RISTORANTE
Why Italian cuisine has been recognised as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
with Maddalena Fossati Dondero, editor-in-chief of ‘La Cucina Italiana’.
Interview with Alessandro Agostinelli, director of the Festival del Viaggio.
8.00 pm
PAPPA AL POMODORO. Free buffet of Genuino Cibo Contadino (small portion for 100 people)
Red wine tasting courtesy of Podere La Chiesa, Terricciola
9.00 pm
Palazzo Blu
SANDOKAN. The end of the adventure. Theatre performance by Sacchi di Sabbia
Saturday 26 September 2026
6.00 pm
Palazzo Blu
CROCEVIA SICILIA. East and West on a single island with Marcella Croce, historian and promoter of Sicilian cuisine.
Interview with Fabrizio Felici, bookseller.
Followed by
Palazzo Blu
A TAVOLA CON L’ARTE - From museums to UNESCO: food as art with Antonio Paolini and Ilaria Guidantoni.
Interview with Marzia Stevenson Maestri, vice-president of the Italian Travellers’ Society.
8.00 pm
PESCE IN FOCACCIA - Free buffet by Mozza (small portions for 100 people).
Red wine tasting courtesy of Terrante, San Miniato.
9.00 pm
Palazzo Blu
DON PASTA. DJ set with pasta.
Sunday 27 September 2026
10.30 am
Palazzo Blu
SUA MAESTÀ IL BUDINO DI RISO. Breakfast courtesy of Pasticceria Galliano.
11.00 am
Palazzo Blu
MANGIARE O DIGIUNARE. Is it true that you don’t age at the table? with Ciro Vestita, nutritionist and television presenter.
Interview with Cristiano Marcacci, journalist.
