A newly released children's book is offering families a novel way to discover one of Italy's lesser-known medieval villages, blending fiction with reality to encourage off-the-beaten-path travel. Giulio Gargiullo's illustrated book, "Simonetta, Ruggero and the Cherry Forest of Celleno," begins as a fairy tale but ends with a surprising twist: the village of Celleno is real, and families can visit the places that inspired the story.
Located in the northern Lazio region, about 90 minutes from Rome, Celleno is a hilltop destination that offers an alternative to the crowded tourist hubs of Rome, Florence, and Venice. Its abandoned historic quarter, known as "Il Borgo Fantasma" or the Ghost Village, was previously featured by The Telegraph among 25 Italian ghost towns described as frozen in time. The village's Orsini Castle still overlooks the landscape, and its history dates back to Etruscan times, with archaeological evidence pointing to settlement from around the 7th century BC.
The book's final pages include a QR code that leads readers to aerial drone footage of the real village, allowing children to see Celleno's castle, landscape, and historic quarter before experiencing them in person. This integration of digital technology turns sightseeing into an interactive story, as children first explore the village through the adventures of Simonetta and Ruggero and then discover that the places they've been reading about actually exist.
Gargiullo, who was named an honorary citizen of Celleno in 2024 for his efforts to promote the village internationally, said, "I wanted children to enter Celleno through imagination and then discover that the place they have been dreaming about actually exists. If a family reading the story decides to leave the usual tourist route for a day and discover the village together, the fairy tale has completed its journey."
The book has received the official patronage of the Municipality of Celleno, adding credibility to its portrayal of the village. The story is loosely inspired by the real history of the area, with the heroine Simonetta connected to the Gatti family, who controlled Celleno before the Orsini family took ownership.
Beyond entertainment, the book has an educational component. Its final pages introduce "Little Guardians of Nature," encouraging children to take simple actions such as leaving water for birds, caring for a plant, and picking up litter. This aspect aligns with the growing trend of eco-conscious travel and aims to instill a sense of responsibility in young readers.
For parents planning a trip to Italy with children, this book offers a unique way to introduce a destination before arrival or inspire a future visit. It combines children's literature, family travel, local history, nature, and digital technology, providing a multifaceted experience. The book is available worldwide on Amazon in English and Italian editions, in print and Kindle formats.
This initiative highlights a broader movement in travel publishing to promote less-visited destinations and create immersive experiences that go beyond traditional sightseeing. By linking a fictional narrative to a real place, Gargiullo demonstrates how storytelling can be a powerful tool in tourism, encouraging families to explore hidden gems and support local communities.
As Italy continues to attract millions of tourists each year, initiatives like this may help distribute tourism more evenly across the country, benefiting smaller towns like Celleno that have rich histories but often get overlooked. The book not only provides a engaging story for children but also serves as a travel guide in disguise, showing that the magic of a fairy tale can lead to real-world discoveries.
