NB: Due to the Covid19 emergency, the contest is suspended until a later date
2020 Edition
One month in Biccari
Following the successful 2019 Edition, with around 600 applicants from all over Europe, the “One Month in Biccari” contest is back!
Four young people (between the ages of 18 and 35) will have the chance to be hosted – free of charge – in the town of Biccari for the whole month of August 2020 in return for three hours of volunteering per day at the Adventure Park or Cooperativa di Comunità.
The selected guests will become “temporary citizens” of Biccari and dive into the local culture, learn Italian, and engage with the local community while discovering local food producers and delicacies.
Our temporary citizens will volunteer at the Adventure Park and contribute to the promotion of Biccari and the Daunian Mountains by sharing their experiences on social media.
During their month’s stay they will also have the opportunity to carry out a wide range of activities in cooperation with local partners (food and wine workshops; rural, forest sports and recreational activities; cultural meetings, and so on) and/or guided tours and excursions to discover the neighbouring towns and other outstanding features of the Daunian Mountains.
A Corner of Apulia to Discover
Our Hamlet
The quaint hamlet of Biccari lies in the foothills of the Daunian Mountains in the province of Foggia. It has 2,800 inhabitants and due to its hilly location boasts a marvellous landscape of woods and natural areas. The town of Biccari also includes the hamlets of Berardinone, Santa Maria and Tertiveri.
The landscape is varied, with altitudes between 181 and 1151 meters above sea level. The view from the town is breath-taking: from imposing high pastures, vineyards and olive groves to the lush woods, which are ideal for walks and excursions to discover Daunia’s typical nature.
More info at: www.visitbiccari.com
Vanessa e Greta&Julyo
The winners of the 2019 edition
What to see in Biccari
The characteristic historical center of the town is overlooked by the Byzantine Tower and the beautiful dome of the imposing Main Church, Palazzo Caracciolo, today’s town hall, Palazzo Goffredo, and the Monastery of Sant’Antonio are among the other buildings of considerable historical and cultural interest.
Nature is one of Biccari’s main attractions. The natural area of Lake Pescara – Monte Cornacchia – Bosco della Cerasa features picnic areas, stables, refreshment bars and other facilities that allow the visitor to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature in this area of Apulia. Here the mountain plays the leading role and Mount Cornacchia, the highest peak in the region, stands out among the surrounding hills. The local woods are also worth seeing. Here, it is still possible to find the Scorzone, the typical local truffle.
Among the woods to see, Cerasa and Boschetto stand out. In Cerasa there are Turkey Oaks, Field Maples and Hazelnut Trees amongst beautiful wild orchids and other rare flowers; in Boschetto there are Elms and Downy Oaks in addition. Another natural corner of stunning beauty is Lake Pescara, to north-east of Mount Cornacchia, along the slopes of Pescara Peak at 900 meters above sea level.
What to eat in Biccari
In the many restaurants in town you can taste the local cuisine of Biccari which reveals the wide variety of flavours of northern Apulia, influenced by the mountains, woods and the plains rich in vineyards and fields of wheat. Traditional recipes use a wide variety of local ingredients, from wild herbs, wild asparagus and extraordinary olive oil to delicious Apulian bread, artisanal ham, cheese and dairy products from local farms, accompanied by fresh pasta and local wines.
Truffle plays a special role in the local cuisine. The local variety is Scorzone (also known as “summer truffle”), with a round and regular shape. Do not forget to taste the traditional Pizza a forno aperto, the De.Co. certified culinary speciality which can be found in any local bakery in Biccari. Several local producers distinguish themselves for the outstanding quality of their products and traditional workmanship.
What to do in Biccari
In Biccari you can try out the largest Adventure Park in the area, get acquainted with the natural world in the educational woods and shoot with a bow and arrow. You can literally sleep in the trees in the only Tree House b’n’b in Apulia then go on an excursion on foot or by bike and enjoy a walk on the Sentiero Frassati (for more information on all mountain paths see www.trailmeup.com). Should that be not enough, enjoy the view from the highest peak in Apulia, truffle hunting, wild herb foraging or fishing at Lake Pescara.
In summer, thanks to the varied social programme of August in Biccari, a full program of festivals and food, wine, music and cultural events take place in town. The festival of San Donato – the eagerly awaited Patron Saint’s Day of Biccari – takes place in town from 6th to 8th August.
Joining in is easy
How to Apply
Italian and foreign citizens between the ages of 18 and 35 can apply either individually or in pairs.
Applicants can apply by filling out the form at the bottom of the page no later than 31st March specifying the activities they would like to carry out for the benefit of the Cooperativa di Comunità or Daunia Avventura (Adventure Park) and the reasons for their stay.
Selection Criteria
The Selection
Applications received will be evaluated by a board consisting of a representative of the Town Hall, the Cooperativa di Comunità and Daunia Avventura taking into account the following criteria:
distance from their place of residence
group application with more than 2 applicants (only the first two applicants will benefit from lodging)
knowledge of one or more foreign languages
availability for volunteering hours (*)
(*) Translations, foreign language lessons, writing of articles and tourist guides about the town and the Daunian Mountains, professional photography and/or with drones, video making, web marketing and social media management activities, historical and scientific research regarding the local area, training activities on tourism, art and entertainment activities, little musicals and plays, buskers, etc.
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