DUE MARI PROJECT CONNECTED REGIONS PUGLIA AND MOLISE IN ITALY WITH MONTENEGRO AND ALBANIA 

DUE MARI virtual tours, a digital platform connecting more than 600 sights of preserved cultural and natural heritage, leaning on the charm of Adriatic and Ionian Sea, is connecting the best of  Puglia, Molise, Montenegro and Albania. Tour operators and individual travellers, seeking for authentic experiences off-the-beaten-track are eager to find out about new itineraries and cultural or adventurous routes. Due Mari Project that started back in 2019 and is financed by Interreg IPA CBC Italy-Albania-Montenegro 2014-2020, gives them the best answer and help them plan new tours or holidays in a sustainable and authentic way.

DUE MARI CULTURAL AND ADVENTUROUS ROUTES

Exploring Montenegro, Albania, and the Italian regions of Puglia and Molise in Italy has never been easier. The regions surrounding the Adriatic and Ionian Seas have joined forces with the aim of developing sustainable tourism offerings, fostering connectivity, and involving local providers. This collaboration has given rise to the digital platform DUE MARI - a unified virtual reality platform designed to plan and promote cultural routes and itineraries, foster sustainable tourism growth in all seasons, and advocate for the integration of new technologies and innovative approaches in tourism marketing.

CONNECTING SEAS AND REGIONS

The mission of the Due Mari project, which started in 2019 and concludes in December this year,  is to connect regions in one attractive destination designed to satisfy the needs of independent, responsible, curious and active travellers, the so-called new tourists, aiming to immerse themselves into local experiences, away from mass tourism. The project is lead by  the Ministry of Tourism, Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Region Development (ME), and implemented along with project partners: Ministry of Tourism and Environment (AL), Puglia Region – Department of Tourism, Economy of Culture and Valorisation of Territory (IT), MOLISE REGION (IT), INNOVAPUGLIA S.p.A. (IT), and the National Tourism Organisation of Montenegro (ME).

The desire to develop a model for managing cultural routes that would also highlight lesser-known cultural and natural treasures of the regions led to the digitization and promotion of a total of 659 points of interest – 199 in Albania, 160 in Montenegro, 150 in the Molise region, and 150 in Puglia.

NEW TRAVEL PLANNER FOR VISITORS AND TOUR OPERATORS OF NEW GENERATION

Travellers of new generation do not want to be called tourists at all. Due Mari is a travel planner for them, created with a great respect towards local communities and visitors that want to merge with inhabitants, their culture, nature, tradition and history. Three countries have multiple regions and places, which are recently trending in the media, being recognized as the go-to destination for free spirit wonderers or small groups who love to move around and explore new destinations with authentic and unique character.

In the aim of strengthening connections and encouraging travellers to prolong their stay at the destination, while at the same time promoting the inclusion of new travel routes in the offer of tour operators, project partners have created a total of 13 cultural and naturalistic itineraries. These itineraries link the region's culture, local cuisine, and natural wonders.

The essence of the entire project comes to life in two cross-border itineraries – Cultural Due Mari and Due Mari Adventure.

CULTURAL DUE MARI

The journey connects cultural landmarks of Albania, Montenegro, and the Italian regions of Puglia and Molise. Along the way, fascinating stories and legends await, uncovering the cultural diversity, intertwined with tradition, architecture, art and craftsmanship.

CULTURAL DUE MARI tour is a vivid mosaic intertwining history and cultural heritage. The most significant attractions of itinerary are an octagonal castle, Castel del Monte, a unique example of medieval architecture and, due to its layout and exceptional symmetry, one of the most recognizable symbols of Puglia. A highlight of visiting the Molise region is one of the best-preserved examples of ancient Roman theatres, Teatro Tempio di Pietrabbondante. UNESCO-listed Berat Castle in Albania is becoming an increasingly recognizable tourist spot with its narrow streets, ancient buildings, and picturesque location, an essential part of the cultural exploration of the Due Mari destination. Another UNESCO World Heritage site, renowned as one of the most charming medieval towns in the Adriatic, is the Old Town Kotor—a must-visit in Montenegro.

With DUE MARI, travellers can start the journey from anywhere. If the starting point is Italy, it's best to begin in the Italian region of Molise and continuing with Puglia. Then, it is time for a ferry ride, crossing the Adriatic Sea to Albania, The Due Mari Adventure continues towards Podgorica in Montenegro.

DUE MARI ADVENTURE

Hikes, cycling tours, or leisurely strolls through the stunning natural landmarks of Albania, Montenegro, Molise, and Puglia are equally worth a trip. The itinerary suggests to connect protected natural resources, lakes, rivers, mountains, and coastlines, promising breathtaking views and a rejuvenating nature retreat.

DUE MARI ADVENTURE itinerary is as diverse and rich as the destinations it connects. It comprises well-known and visited tourist locations, as well as hidden corners of nature that have remained undiscovered by visitors until now. Some of the tour highlihts is Montenegro's National Park Durmitor, with its impressive mountains, picturesque valleys, and lakes, attracting outdoor enthusiasts for years. There is a plethora of activities around the most popular glacial Black Lake. Adventure continues in mesmerising Albania´s Butrint National Park, famous for its lakes, islands and wetlands, where more than 1200 different animals and plants coexist. Simultaneously, it houses one of the most important archaeological sites in Albania, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. One ferry or flight away is Italy, where   impressive Grotte di Castellana caves, adorned with numerous stalactites, offer a unique glimpse into the underground world of Puglia. Back to the daylight, the Cascate del Verrino waterfalls in Molise are an ideal stop for hikers seeking peace and a tranquil retreat. 

The Due Mari virtual platform provides ideas for exploring local cuisine and stories in many other corners of the map. Visit the Due Mari website and discover the wonders of both the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, inviting everybody to embark on an unforgettable adventure.