A dream comes real, step by step: the E12, the Mediterranean Path

A workshop meeting is going to take place from 15TH to 17th March 2013 in Trieste (Italy) about the E12, the Mediterranean Path. Representatives of the European Ramblers’ Association from Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Montenegro, Italy and, perhaps, Albania and Greece are going to set the basis in order to trace the above-mentioned E12 in the eastern part of the Mediterranean European shore. In fact, whereas the E12 from Morocco through Spain, France and Tyrrhenian Italy is mostly defined, the same path from Ionian and Adriatic Italy through the Balcans down to Bosphorus is far away from being traced.

The idea of a long-distance footpath through countries with peoples, who have never been in peace since the times of the Ancient Roman "mare nostrum", was conceived in Malaga in June 2008 for the first time.

Moreover, another aspect is to be considered about the E12. Walking on a long-distance path is a sort of "slow tourism", which local economies can benefit of. For instance, let’s quote the renowned "Camino de Santiago" in Northern Spain, which appeals thousands of hikers from all over the world, and not only pilgrims! Due to the increasing economic crisis, travelling could become not so affordable as before. Thus, walking keeps on being a sort of low-cost travelling. It can avail of budget accommodation, such as small hotels, bed & breakfasts, hostels or even "couchsurfing" rooms.

Therefore, we can but say that what above is not just a mere project, but a real dream. It is high time that our dream came true!