Q.ne.S.T. DC2.5 Publications on Capitalized best practices and routes: revised reports and informative sheets on the capitalization activities on best practices and routes. Xanthi (Greece) _______________________ QNeST International Itineraries: Wine and Olive Oil Itinerary The theme of the Mediterranean Diet, with a particular focus on oil and wine, runs through all the countries of the EUSAIR area. The landscapes, characterised by olive groves and vineyards, bear witness to the common culture of the Euro-Mediterranean area, although each region has its own cultivars and production techniques. Oil and wine have always been used not just in food, but also in the rituals of the various belief systems practised on the shores of the Mediterranean. All the areas involved in the QNeST brand are crossed by routes linked to oil and wine. In Puglia, the greenways involving olive groves and vineyards are characterised by centuries-old monumental olive trees and olive oil mills, extensive vineyards and wineries. Along these routes in Xanthi, the olive trees stand out in all their majesty, while the wine route bears witness to the region's historic identity. The olive route in Epirus also highlights the bond between the centuries- old olive trees and the region. In the Marche region, the "Emotions without Borders" and "Experience the Region" routes allow you to discover the wealth of local heritage. The "Cycling through the Wineries" route allows you to enjoy the wineries in the Euganean Hills in Veneto in combination with the spas in the area. The vineyards and wineries of Montenegro are a constant theme of the "Historic and Natural treasure Route". Istria hosts routes in both Croatia and Slovenia; in the former on the themes of olive oil, wine and ham, a characteristic local product, and in the latter on stone, the coast and olive groves. Travellers, merchants and pilgrims The Mediterranean is a sea enclosed by land, since time immemorial connecting the various cultures that have evolved along its shores. Since ancient times, this sea has been crossed by peoples, merchants, pilgrims and travellers of all kinds, carrying with them cultural baggage and experiences that have shaped its regions, traditions, languages and cultures. The QNeST Brand promotes cultural activities via specific itineraries. The Via Francigena Greenway runs through the Salento peninsula in Puglia, offering "slow tourism" activities that allow the visitor to discover hidden treasures and ancient traditions between Brindisi and Otranto, following the routes of ancient travellers who embarked for the Orient. Closely connected to this theme is "The Way to Jerusalem" in the region of Xanthi, in Greece, while in Epirus, religious heritage routes highlight the Byzantine monasteries. In the Marches, the "Gira- Sole" project promotes cultural activities in the area of Pesaro. In Veneto, the "Literary Park of the Euganean Hills" hosts locations that have inspired poets and writers, while other routes allow the visitor to admire the splendid Venetian villas and castles along the River Brenta. In Montenegro the Virpazar and Skadar Lake National Park route includes landscapes, monuments and flavours around Skadar Lake Dry Stone Traditional dry-stone building techniques, recognised by UNESCO as World Heritage, are another shared feature of the regions surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. The QNeST Brand promotes routes connected to this important theme: used to build boundary walls, small circular buildings of various kinds, retaining walls for agricultural terraces and underground places of worship, the stones tell the history of the locations where they are deployed. The Dry Stones Greenways in Puglia are based on the importance of stone and its use in boundary walls, buildings, underground oil mills, crypts and rock-cut settlements. In the region of Xanthi, "Myths and Culture" is a historical and cultural tourist route linked to the myth of Hercules. In Epirus, the Stone Route runs through the mountain villages of Pindos. In Istria, the Stone Walls route showcases the rural area of Vodnjan, where stone is a key element of the landscape. In Montenegro, the Njegusi village and Lovćen National Park route takes the visitor on a spectacular journey from Kotor, on the coast, to the mountains inland, with an opportunity to enjoy the distinctive flavours of the local food and wine of Njegusi. Water Water is something that the countries of the Adriatic-Ionian area all share. In terms of nature, it includes wetlands, springs, rivers and lakes both near the coasts and inland. In terms of human activity, it plays a role in religious rites, gastronomic traditions and even health, as seen in the use of thermal spring waters since ancient times. This is reflected in the proximity of places of worship, cisterns, canals and spas, evidence of the day-to-day link between water and the human population. Then there is the sea, which, in addition to forming a vast ecosystem and a shared asset for the various populations, over time has enabled them to communicate with each other thanks to the art of navigation. In Puglia there are water-themed greenways in the coastal area from the archaeological park of Egnatia to the Alimini Lakes near Otranto, characterised by a mosaic of wetlands, ancient archaeological sites and spas. In the Veneto region, the Euganean Hills and Spas Area Brand combines thermal spring waters with local food and wine. In the Marche region, a route starts from the coast near Fano, before heading inland along the Furlo Gorge to the "Grotta dei folletti" in Acqualagna. Montenegro proposes a boat trip to discover the natural and cultural heritage of Lake Skadar. Lastly, Epirus proposes the "National Parks of Epirus" network, rich in natural ecosystems and beautiful landscapes. QNeST Local Routes: Routes of the Olive Tree The presence of the olive has marked not only the landscape but also the everyday lives of the Mediterranean peoples. As a mythical and sacred tree, it is associated with their rites and customs and has influenced their lifestyles, creating a specific ancient civilisation, the "olive tree civilisation": The Routes of the Olive Tree follow in the footsteps of the Olive Tree Civilisation, from Greece towards the Euro-Mediterranean countries. Myths & Culture The development of a touristic and cultural route can create a global tourism product that will support the tourism and economic development of the Mediterranean. This entire historic route, infrastructure, emblematic buildings, economic boom, as well as the cooperation between the countries, should be imprinted, take concrete form and attribute to a cultural, social and economic level (tourism). In the context of implementing the Tourist and Cultural Route “Labours of Hercules”, a new cultural – tourist product should be created, which will highlight the cross-border area and be able to offer modern services to tourists. The project aims to create a cultural – tourist Mediterranean Route with sub-routes across project countries, which will link areas where Hercules made his labours. The ultimate goal is the establishment of a structure that will preserve the whole social cultural economic life of the whole Mediterranean region in terms of infrastructure, culture, economy, but also create added value with a product that had a past, present and future for this specific geographic entity. Wine Route The wine map of Xanthi (Prefecture) is dominated by the vineyard of Abdera. The area is part of the Dionysos Wine Route and focuses on the interest in wine and cultural tourism which is combined with the Archaeological Site, the Byzantine Polystylos and the Archaeological Museum of Abdera and create an unforgettable trip to each visitor. Way to Jerusalem In the early byzantine era, journeys were rare. Most travelers abandoned their countries only by necessity and for occupational, political, social and religious causes. They were mercenaries, soldiers and sailors, who were participating in military operations at the area of Danube River, Mesopotamia or West, diplomats who visited the Persian palace and Barbarian overlords of the steppe or of the German kingdoms, national officials who visited provinces, merchants, refugees, exiles and finally, bishops who participated in local or Ecumenical Councils. Pilgrims, who reached Holy Lands without compulsion or immediate need, were the only exception. QNeST Brand Member: _______________________ Anatolikos Vineyards - Nikolaidis Bros - Xanthi Activity: Farming The private vineyard located at the lands of Avdira,Xanthi, in Thrace. In Avdira city, being known from ancient times as a city of Thrace, begun the struggle for the revival of the well-famous ancient vineyard in 2000. Contributing in this initiative, the copmany AFOI NIKOLAIDI O.E. started the farming of greek and foreign grape variety at 2005. The vineyard’s location on the dry hills of Avdira city, with an altitude of 50-70 meters and approximately 2 km away from the Thrace Sea, the sandy terrain, the continuous cool winds and Avdira’s microclimate contribute desicively in manufacturing high-quality products. Today, the company has released 7 labels of Varietal and PGE Avdira certified bio-wine with the commercial trademark ΑΝΑΤΟLΙΚΟS VINEYARDS and continues it’s developmental program aiming in the vineyard’s expansion, always according to the principals of bio-agriculture, growing traditional grape varieties from the lands of Avdira and Thrace, and futhermore, developing the structure of the distribution channels in Greece and overseas. Main Driver: Mediterranean diet Town: Avdira Xanthis - Municipality: Xanthis - Country: Greece Full Address: Miaouli 85 Latitude: 40.981479 - Longitude: 24.949922 **************************************************************************************************************** Vourvoukelis Estate Winery - Xanthi Activity: Farming In 1999, the family of Nikos and Flora Vourvoukelis, with a vision of reviving the famous vineyard of Abdera, planted 20 acres in the fertile hills of the region with native and foreign wine-making grape varieties. Gradually, a privately owned vineyard of 120 acres was developed, which is cultivated according to the rules of organic farming.