Mountains, sea, hills, cities of art or agritourism? For those who are tired of planning their holidays in the usual places, those who want to experience a completely new experience, rediscovering the ancient, theBalocchi Hostel with its asinism are a valid alternative.
But first, you need to start from the beginning. The hostel is located in Casalino, a very small fraction of the ancient village of Ligonchio, in the province of Reggio Emilia and right in the heart of the National Park of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. We are therefore in the Apennine Emilia, where the traditional mountain hospitality, unfortunately arrived only struggling to date, is being rediscovered, to make itself known by all of us "modern men" and make us rediscover the values ​​of a simple, natural, slow life.
Casalino di Ligonchio is a real oasis, where you can rediscover yourself, including trekking, tastings, itineraries on foot, on horseback or in the company of donkeys. Perhaps this last part sounds a bit strange, in fact it is not a habit to choose a donkey as a holiday and itinerary companion. Instead, the Ostello dei Balocchi believes in the profound and still little known value of these splendid animals, but above all it believes in the preciousness of a responsible tourism, slow, which makes you rediscover the origins of the territory and respect for nature. From the union of all these elements, the Casalino donkey is obtained, a place where you can spend your holidays in the company of donkeys, patient, intelligent animals, which thanks to their slow walking, allow visitors to discover the territory better, linger on elements of particular interest, taste the details that usually due to the perennial rush, would end up being lost.
Thus, the old elementary school of the town has been renovated, creating a simple but well-kept hostel that offers hospitality in private rooms (single, double, for families) or in dormitories with bunk beds, for groups of friends. The services offered by the hostel are: guided tours, trekking, itineraries in company obviously of donkeys and with expert guides, or real didactic outings on the territory or lectures, to spread the knowledge of territorial biodiversity and its intangible heritage of values ​​and traditions. The welcome and activities for the little ones are on the agenda, in fact there are numerous events, excursions and outings throughout the year, such as a visit to theAtelier of Water and Energy inside the Ligonchio hydroelectric plant, built by Legambiente. Obviously, all the movements are done on the back of a donkey. Other interesting events during the year are: Apennines Africa (31 May - 1 June) to rediscover the origins of the donkey, used as a workmate in Africa; A donkey in the family (9-10 August), multi-day trekking dedicated to families, on donkey back, and again, Ferragosto Balocco to celebrate the August XNUMXth with grills, excursions and relaxation.
Visit the ancients villages of the Apennines, rediscover the traditions, the values, the local culture, relive the past through the “donkey” tourism, an experience of true and authentic sustainability. Discovering the future, going back to the origins, the Ostello dei Balocchi teaches us that sometimes, the simplicity not far from home, can give an incredible experience, of rediscovery of an ancient, which for us is totally new.
