Summer may have passed, but the season of the festivals continues in Italy … and the small town of Castel San Pietro Terme seems to host a lot of them.

Not far from Bologna, Castel San Pietro Terme is, among other things, the headquarters of the National Honey Observatory, an organisation set up to support the country’s beekeepers, and the festival they run is sweet in every sense of the word.

 

Italy's Honey Fair, the 'Fiera dei Mieli', is an annual event in Castel San Pietro Terme.
Italy's Honey Fair, the 'Fiera dei Mieli', is an annual event in Castel San Pietro Terme.
And it's a big deal. Each year, there's a competition to find the 'Best Honey of Italy'.
And it's a big deal. Each year, there's a competition to find the 'Best Honey of Italy'.
Almost 1500 different honeys were entered this year, from producers in every region in the country.
Almost 1500 different honeys were entered this year, from producers in every region in the country.
While the festival is mostly about all things honey, this being Italy ...
While the festival is mostly about all things honey, this being Italy ...
... it's also a bit about the cheese ...
... it's also a bit about the cheese ...
 
(Tina and Greg stocking up on supplies)
(Tina and Greg stocking up on supplies)
And the taralli (delicious biscuity snacks - this man was selling the best we've ever tasted), and the salumi ...
And the taralli (delicious biscuity snacks - this man was selling the best we've ever tasted), and the salumi ...
And the lampredotto (the Florentine version of tripe) ...
And the lampredotto (the Florentine version of tripe) ...
And the digestivi - this lovely man 'insisted' we try most of those he was selling (between us all, we bought enough to make it worth his while - limoncello with ginger was especially popular). :)
And the digestivi - this lovely man 'insisted' we try most of those he was selling (between us all, we bought enough to make it worth his while - limoncello with ginger was especially popular). 🙂
But mostly, it's about the honey.
But mostly, it's about the honey.
 
And the fun.
And the fun.
And the food. It's an Italian festival, so there's a lot of delicious food.
And the food. It's an Italian festival, so there's a lot of delicious food.
Again, an army of local volunteers comes together in a make-shift kitchen to produce hundreds of meals for hungry festival-goers.
Again, an army of local volunteers comes together in a make-shift kitchen to produce hundreds of meals for hungry festival-goers.
And no one is disappointed!
And no one is disappointed!
Then it was time to announce the winners of the competition - the judges had selected the top three honeys in the country ...
Then it was time to announce the winners of the competition - the judges had selected the top three honeys in the country ...
As it turns out there's a family connection here - Castel San Pietro Terme is home to Tina and Antonio's son, Federico, and his family.
As it turns out there's a family connection here - Castel San Pietro Terme is home to Tina and Antonio's son, Federico, and his family.
And Federico's father-in-law, Giancarlo Naldi, is President of the National Honey Observatory. After the official ceremony, Giancarlo presented us with a gift of the three winning honeys and a fabulous book.
And Federico's father-in-law, Giancarlo Naldi, is President of the National Honey Observatory. After the official ceremony, Giancarlo presented us with a gift of the three winning honeys and a fabulous book.
It's a collection of recipes incorporating honey - each one created by a Michelin-starred chef from every region. 'A gift', he said, 'from Italy to Australia.' A beautiful gift, one given and received with friendship and affection. We love Italian festivals - and we love Italian honey!
It's a collection of recipes incorporating honey - each one created by a Michelin-starred chef from every region. 'A gift', he said, 'from Italy to Australia.' A beautiful gift, one given and received with friendship and affection. We love Italian festivals - and we love Italian honey!