Irpinia may just be one of the most beautiful places in Italy you may have never heard of. And now, an Italian-Australian woman has set out to ensure the heritage of this DOC appellation northeast of Avellino in Campania, Italy, is preserved forever. Irpinia may not be on the radar of even seasoned travellers to Italy, Italo-Australians, and even Italian-born people.
About the show
So breathtaking is this region that renowned travel reporter David Whitehill and award-winning cinematographer Roger Price have captured this glorious destination for a one-hour travel special screening on the Nine Network on Saturday 12 October at 4pm.
Titled ‘Journey to Irpinia, Italy – With David Whitehill’, the TV special shows Irpinia in all its glory, appealing to those who have a deep affinity to Italy. The never-ending love affair Australians have with Italy is evident in stats from 2023 showing that Australians travelled to Italy more than they EVER have in the history of travel records in Australia. According to the most recent Australian Bureau of Statistics figures, the number of Australians visiting Italy in 2023 increased by 19% compared to 2019, with 311,760 Australians visiting the European country last year. These figures demonstrate a record number of Australian visitors to Italy in a single year since records began.
“We know Australians have a strong connection with Italy which has only blossomed since travel patterns have normalised. It is fantastic to see the numbers back this up as we look towards another strong year ahead,” said Emanuele Attanasio, Country Manager, Italian National Tourist Board Australia & New Zealand.
Irpinia Escapes: discover a traditional gem in Italy
Josephine Carrabs is the Australian founder of Irpinia Escapes, and has spearheaded this quest for curious travellers to get to know Irpinia. A lawyer in her native Sydney, and a busy mum of three, Josephine has made it her passionate life mission to introduce this as-yet rather undiscovered part of Italy to travellers.
“Irpinia is not just a destination for me; it’s a place that holds the very threads of my family’s history, a region that pulses with the heartbeat of my roots. To be able to showcase this magical region to Australians via the Channel Nine travel special is a really extraordinary opportunity and one I am emotionally connected to because, in essence, I am introducing the audience to not just a business, or a region… but the lifeblood of my own identity,” says Josephine. Her late maternal grandmother hails from this area, and throughout her youth, Josephine felt a deep affinity and connection to both to her beloved nonna (who migrated to Australia at a young age) and to this region.
And now, Australian viewers will get to know and have a glorious insider view of Irpinia, this cultural and heritage-laden gem in the Campania region.
An untouched part of the world
The Nine Network TV special echoes Josephine’s sentiments: Irpinia is equal parts breathtaking and enigmatic, with the terrain filled to the brim with the kind of offerings experienced travellers seek from an ‘untouched’ part of the world – you’ll see Irpinia-born residents making traditional pasta, you’ll immerse yourself in vineyard tours amongst the lush landscape and rich Irpinian soil, and a tour of the steeped-in- history Castello di Gesualdo is an absolute must. Add in sampling some of the world’s most renowned wines, traditional cooking classes with nonnas who still live there, trekking through the serene countryside, and swimming in hidden waterfalls.
Irpinia also provides a convenient base to travel to and from the Amalfi Coast, Naples, and Rome; Irpinia is just two hours south of Rome and about 50 kilometres east of Naples. So, day trips to the still de rigueur Italian hotspots of Sorrento et al. are feasible and provide an interesting dichotomy between the ‘touristy’ and the traditional.
An excerpt from a Forbes story titled ‘Irpinia Is Campania’s Beating Heart’ also extolls the magical virtues of Irpinia:
“Just two hours south of Rome and about 50 kilometers due east of Naples, Campania is home of some of Italy’s most ancient grape varieties—many thought to be descended from Greece. In Pliny the Elder’s times, Campania, along with Lazio—the region just north of Rome—produced some of the most prestigious wines. The DOCG appellations of Fiano di Avellino, Greco di Tufo and Taurasi form a triumvirate of powerful, distinctive wines that reflect their roots.
But perhaps the beating heart of the region is Irpinia, a DOC appellation established in 2005 northeast of Avellino. Surprisingly green in an otherwise rocky and sun-bleached region, its viticulture developed along two rivers originating from the Tuoro-Terminio massif of the southern Apennines range. The Tyrrhenian Sea provides a moderating climate influence. That wine production continues here is a small miracle: the town itself was twice hit by an earthquake, once in 1930 then again in 1980.”
Even renowned pop culture artist Andy Warhol felt compelled to create two famous paintings of the 1980 Irpinia earthquake: ‘Fate Presto’, and ‘Vesuvius 365’ (both originals are hosted in the exhibit Terrae Motus in the Palace of Caserta).
The intention of Irpinia Escapes is to attract discerning travellers who seek unique Italian experiences beyond the usual tourist destinations, tapping into in-depth local knowledge and established networks, and partnering with locally owned and operated businesses so you’ll see a more ‘rustic’ Italy you’ll never forget.
‘Journey to Irpinia, Italy – With David Whitehill’ is scheduled to screen on the Nine Network on Saturday 12 October 2024, at 4pm. It will also be available to view on 9Now.
This article was produced with content supplied by Irpinia Escapes and is a Signature Luxury Travel & Style digital exclusive. Be the first to see more exclusive online content by subscribing to the enewsletter.
