CulTour Is Capital – Travel bloggers experiencing transformative tourism in 5 European Capitals of Culture

Margherita and Nick, aka The Crowded Planet is a couple of travel bloggers engaged by the European project CulTour Is Capital, together with the videomaker Emiliano Bechi, to test and document transformative tourism experiences through five past, present and candidate European Capitals of Culture.

This is an experimental project that involves and connects people and energies from all over the world, working to rehabilitate the historic centre of the village thanks to the regeneration of abandoned houses and the creation of a new community. During their stay, Margherita, Nick and Emiliano enjoyed all the authenticity of a whole day in a southern Italy village, experiencing original traditions of the place and meeting and entering the houses of the community of the village.

From Burgos to Kosice, passing through Rijeka and Gelsenkirchen, the travelers had a step in Matera, hosted by the project partner Materahub. They had the opportunity to live immersive touristic experiences during two days in the 2019 ECoC after the pandemic and still respecting the rules and limits due to Covid-19. On the first day, they visited Grottole, a high depopulation risk village with less than 2000 inhabitants near Matera, hosted by Wonder Grottole.

Back in Matera, they took part in the creative walk through the Sassi (the ancient city centre). The Silent City Experience is an interactive path that leads you to rewrite your travel story linked to the city of Matera. It is a creative derivation in a touristic key of the Silent City, an Opera written by the community and for the community. Originally produced for Matera 2019’s events panel, it has been now transformed into an immersive touristic experience, a perfect match between the cultural and creative industry and the touristic one.

These are just two of the many experiences that will be documented by the three travelers in their long cultural trip on the next project platform. By now, you can start following them on the CulTour Is Capital on the Facebook account or searching #CulTourIsCapital.