{"id":17192,"date":"2026-03-28T16:37:10","date_gmt":"2026-03-28T15:37:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brezzadisale.it\/?post_type=guide_allegre&p=17192"},"modified":"2026-08-31T08:07:04","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T07:07:04","slug":"via_julia_augusta","status":"publish","type":"guide_allegre","link":"https:\/\/brezzadisale.it\/en\/guide_allegre\/via_julia_augusta\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide Allegre: The Via Julia Augusta"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Encounter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alice traced a line in the sand with her foot, searching for tiny seashells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She watched Marco skim a stone across the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOne\u2026 two\u2026 three\u2026\u201d Plop. Plop. Plop\u2026 PLOP!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDid you see that?! Four skips!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alice smiled, but then she noticed something strange...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The stone... was coming back! A seagull was carrying it in its beak and flying towards Marco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It stopped in front of him and tilted its head. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It dropped the stone right at his feet and said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think this is yours.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The two of them stared at each other, wide-eyed!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marco tried to sound confident and said, \u201cErm... Yes... Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then he added, \u201cIt\u2019s a special stone. It skips really well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The seagull gave a little hop on the sand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThen I want to see if it\u2019s true.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And so they began to play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marco and Alice threw the special stone, counted the skips, and the seagull brought it back every time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOne... two... three... four!\u201d They even managed to get fifteen skips!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou really have found an interesting stone...\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just then, Grandpa Ettore came over. He watched them for a few seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then he looked at the seagull. And... he recognised him straight away... \u201cHello, Pico! How are you?\u201d he said fondly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pico turned sideways, showing Grandpa his right eye, and... and... he winked at him!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grandpa smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pico turned towards Alice and Marco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo...\u201d he said in a slightly shrill but friendly voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWould you like to go on a treasure hunt?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The two of them quickly turned towards Grandpa, hopeful...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grandpa smiled without saying a word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pico took another step forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut not just any treasure hunt...\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He came a little closer, lowering his voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAn ancient treasure hunt... made of paths, stories and places to discover.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marco furrowed his brow.
\u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pico nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is hidden along an ancient road. A road built more than two thousand years ago... and still walkable today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alice fece un passo avanti.
\u00abE dov\u2019\u00e8?\u00bb<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pico smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you want to find out... you\u2019ll have to come with me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Adventure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pico hopped quickly across the sand, leaving tiny light footprints that the wind almost immediately erased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t start here,\u201d he said without turning around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marco ran after him. \u201cThen where?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pico suddenly stopped and looked inland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not where the sand ends... it\u2019s along the way. You have to cross the present before you can enter the past.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alice narrowed her eyes.
\u201cA road!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pico gave a little hop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cExactly! But not just any road...\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before long, they were already prepared: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

trainers, a water bottle filled with water, a nice piece of fresh focaccia and a slice of pizza,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

the red kind without cheese, which Marco absolutely loved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pico hopped over to them and showed them the map.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLook carefully...\u201d he said, tilting his head.
\u201cHere is the beginning of one of the oldest Roman roads... even older than the Via Aurelia.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marco\u2019s eyes widened.
\u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pico nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA road that connected Gaul to the Po Valley. The ancient Romans travelled along it to journey, trade... and leave their mark.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alice and Marco looked at each other.
Then they set off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the map, they walked carefully until... there it was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right there, in front of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It clearly marked the beginning of the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe made it!\u201d said Alice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pico was already there waiting for them.
After all, being able to fly, he always got there first...
But he watched them from above, never letting them out of his sight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He gave a little nod.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSecond clue.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marco stopped and looked at him curiously.
\u201cGo on.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pico lowered his voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFind the traces of those who are no longer here... but left stones behind to preserve their memory...\u201d
ma ha lasciato pietre per tramandare un ricordo…\u00bb<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alice remained silent.
Then she started walking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The path opened up before them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And suddenly, the view changed.
Gallinara Island rose from the sea like a vivid green splash, surrounded by blue water and a bright sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marco stopped.
\u201cWow...\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then Alice called him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMarco... look over there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A little further along the path, some stone remains appeared.
They looked like parts of buildings... but very ancient ones...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They went closer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were ruins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At that moment, a breath of air brushed their cheeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pico was landing again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDid you find anything?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes!\u201d said Marco. \u201cBut what are they?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pico smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTo continue... you\u2019ll have to find out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The two of them looked around and noticed a sign.
They went closer and began to read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then Alice looked up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA necropolis.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marco frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA place where the Romans buried their loved ones,\u201d Alice explained.
\u201cUsually at the entrance to towns.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pico nodded, satisfied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re ready for the next stop.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They walked a little further until the path widened slightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the right was a wooden bench, right beside a bent tree that looked as though it were bowing to Gallinara Island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The shade was perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marco took out the focaccia.
\u201cNow this is an important stop.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pico landed on the branch above them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd it certainly is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He looked at them with a smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is a real stop on the treasure hunt.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alice sighed, then gave a little smile.
\u201cI knew there was going to be a question.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pico looked at them one by one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which animals gave Gallinara Island its name?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The two of them began to think.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They tried one answer... then another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marco smiled.
\u201cOK... now it makes sense.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alice nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, they looked at each other and said the answer out loud together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pico smiled, satisfied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 (Take the quiz at the end of the story, test yourself and discover the answer.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pico made a little circle in the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell done. Now let\u2019s head towards the final stop!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201eGut gemacht! Jetzt geht es weiter zur letzten Station!\u201c <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a while, it almost felt as though they were walking around the island, with the sea always beside them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then an arch appeared, and shortly afterwards, a little church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quiet.
Elegant.
Overlooking the sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat...\u201d said Pico, \u201cis a special place.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alice looked at it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCould sailors see it as they passed by?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pico nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He gave a little hop and pointed to the church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen they sailed along the coast, they could recognise it from afar.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd every time... they looked up and greeted it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marco furrowed his brow.
\u201eUnd jedes Mal... blickten sie auf und gr\u00fc\u00dften sie.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pico smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes. To them, it was a sign.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt meant they were following the right course... and that land was not far away.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marco stepped closer.
\u201cWhat is it called?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201eWie hei\u00dft sie?\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFind out... and tell me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201eFindet es heraus... und erz\u00e4hlt es mir.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A little later, they found a sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alice began to read aloud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marco smiled.
\u201cOK... now it makes sense.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 (At the end of the story, try Pico\u2019s quiz too and discover your Pico Badge.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They looked at each other and, together, said the name of the church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pico nodded, satisfied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Se miraron y dijeron juntos el nombre de la iglesia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alice smiled.
Marco raised his water bottle like a trophy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMission accomplished.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201eMission erf\u00fcllt.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marco looked at Alice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShall we walk back... or take the bus?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alice looked at the path.
Then at the sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDepends how much energy we\u2019ve got left...\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grandpa laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEither way, I\u2019d say an ice cream in Alassio is a must.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pico gave a little hop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201eAuf jeden Fall w\u00fcrde ich sagen, dass ein Eis in Alassio Pflicht ist.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pico sourit et fit un petit tour dans les airs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve done a fantastic job. Well done!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve finished...\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNow it\u2019s time for whoever is reading or listening to have a go.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 (Test yourselves with the quiz and earn the Pico Badge.)<\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":18355,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_seopress_robots_follow":"","_seopress_robots_imageindex":"","_seopress_robots_snippet":"","_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_robots_breadcrumbs":"","_seopress_robots_freeze_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_custom_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_canonical":"","_seopress_social_fb_title":"","_seopress_social_fb_desc":"","_seopress_social_fb_img":"","_seopress_social_fb_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_height":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_title":"","_seopress_social_twitter_desc":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_height":0,"_seopress_redirections_value":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled_regex":"","_seopress_redirections_logged_status":"","_seopress_redirections_param":"","_seopress_redirections_type":0,"_seopress_analysis_target_kw":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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