Spring

The Brenta Dolomites group rises in the west of the region as a solitary limestone island, bordered on all sides by deep valley furrows: to the west, the Rendena valley, carved by the Sarca river, and the Meledrio valley, its natural continuation towards the Sole valley; to the north, the large loop formed by the course of the Noce river between the Sole and Non valleys; and to the east, the furrow of Lake Molveno. In the shadow of the massif, these valleys have undergone different fates. That of the Non Valley is also linked to its history and location. A natural link between German-speaking and Italian-speaking lands, the Non or Anaunia Valley has always been involved in the power games between the Church, the Empire and powerful local feudal lords. This is still amply testified by the many castles (Castel Thun stands out above all others) in the valley, with defensive walls, towers, ramparts, moats and lavish, refined interiors. There is also no shortage of sanctuaries and churches, such as the evocative complex of the Sanctuary of San Romedio. Nor, of course, is there any shortage of evocative natural surroundings: there are passes and refuges, there are lakes such as Molveno with its village, and the entire valley is covered in apple orchards that provide the tables with apples of the highest quality: this is why it is also known as the Valley of the Apples.

Upstream of Cles, Tovel is a mountain lake that can legitimately be defined as a jewel immersed in the woods of the Adamello-Brenta Nature Park. The Visitor Centre relates the reasons for its well-established fame, including internationally, due to the presence of unicellular algae of the species Tovellia sanguinea on the seabed. In summer, especially during the hottest and quietest hours, its bloom gave the waters an intense red colour. People used to speak and write about the Lago Rosso, the "Red Lake". The phenomenon had been reported by an English mountaineer in the mid-19th century, but it has not been observable for some 40 years now: biological studies have shown that this is not due to the disappearance of the algae, which are still present, but to other factors, likely including a change in rainfall and changes in the management of pastures at altitude. The redness has been successfully recreated in the laboratory under the conditions that research has identified as optimal, and it may be seen again one day in nature, as long as, of course, we do not interfere with the environment in an inconsiderate manner. Walks around the body of water, which take no more than an hour and a half, and excursions in the area, for example to the Malga Flavona or the Pietraia delle Glare, are highly recommended.

It was a good idea to position a fortification practically in the middle of the water: it would be much more difficult for any enemies to besiege it, let alone conquer it. Today, the fortress has a fairly peaceful appearance, but it did not have to look like this in the centuries after the year 1000, or even in the 13th and 14th centuries when it had reached the top of Lake Garda the ruling of the Scaligeri, i.e. the Veronese dynasty of della Scala. The remaining dungeon from those times has not been plastered like the rest, and one can try to imagine the warlike appearance the whole must have had before the Austrian imperialists demolished the highest parts of the towers at the corners in the 19th century, only to turn the old castle into a more orderly barracks. The gradual reduction to a civilised purpose now appears complete when visiting the interior of the Upper Garda Museum, also known simply as MAG. There is an art gallery that covers the period from the 15th to the 19th century exhibiting local or Trentino artists and views by painters who were fascinated by the Garda landscapes, but above all there is an archaeological collection, that goes back much further in time than the fortress itself: Copper Age statue-stelae, ancient Roman artefacts, traces of the early Middle Ages. Some frescoes discovered during restoration work show that the prince-bishops of Trento were also responsible for embellishing the building in the 16th century. It is in any case also a municipal museum: visitors should not miss out on documentation on the slightly less ancient history of Riva and Basso Sarca, the river that descends from the Adamello mountain range and forms the Lake. There is also talk of Riva's great tourist fortunes, at least since the days of Thomas Mann and Franz Kafka. After all, the serenity of the place can be contemplated from the top of the dungeon.

Orta San Giulio "Orta, a watercolour of God, seems painted on a silk background, with its Sacro Monte behind it, its noble ramala flanked by closed palazzi, the silent piazza with its compact façades behind the foliage of the horse chestnuts, and in front of it the island of San Giulio, similar to Dante´s Purgatory, hesitating between water and sky"; this is how the writer Pietro Chiara describes Orta, and this is how it will appear to us on arrival, with its narrow alleys, old shops and wrought-iron balconies, suspended between the green of the mountains and the blue of the lake. Set like a jewel among the clear waters, then stands the Island of San Giulio, a veritable open-air museum to be explored to discover its artistic and environmental beauty, but also just to be enraptured by its gentle atmosphere, especially in the warm light of sunset, when everything becomes magical.

In the heart of Italy, between Umbria and Tuscany Nestled in the heart of Italy, on the border between Umbria and Tuscany, Lake Trasimeno is the fourth largest lake in the peninsula. There are three islands in its waters accessible by ferry: the Polvese island, home to various species of birds and amphibians, the Maggiore island, the only permanently populated one, and the Minore island, covered by dense forest vegetation. Along the lake shores is the pretty medieval village of Passignano sul Trasimeno with its Rocca, which houses the Museum of Boats, and the Sanctuary of the Virgin Mary of the Miracles. On the opposite side is Castiglione del Lago of Etruscan foundation. The fortress that dominates the town is still known as Rocca Leone because of its pentagonal plan, inspired by the Leo constellation. The lakeside is equipped with beaches, restaurants and centres for renting equipment and practising numerous water sports such as sailing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, rowing and water skiing. Inland, a short distance from the coast, are Castel Rigone, Cortona and the villages of the Val d'Orcia: Montalcino, famous for its Brunello, San Quirico d'Orcia with its Horti Leonini, Bagno Vignoni with its thermal waters, Castiglione d'Orcia with the Grotta S. Filippo, and Pienza, the “ideal city” of the Renaissance.

Snow, lakes and medieval villages The province of Biella offers unforgettable experiences for all tastes, from the snow-covered slopes of Bielmonte to historic villages, nature reserves, hill-top sanctuaries, castles, and food and wine delights, with polenta concia being the most popular dish. Biella lies at the foot of the Alps and is medieval at heart: the historic centre of Piazzo is located on a rocky ridge that looms over the rest of the town, which was later built and named Biella Piano. Don’t miss the Romanesque baptistery of St John the Baptist in Piazza Duomo, where you can also find St Stephen’s Cathedral. The most beautiful church, however, is the Renaissance basilica of St Sebastian. The cloister of the adjacent monastery houses the Museum of the Biella Territory. Near Biella is Ricetto di Candelo, a still intact, walled medieval walled village. Towards the Biellese Alps you can find the Sanctuary of Oropa on the Sacro Monte, where the locals venerate the Black Madonna. To be surrounded by nature, we recommend visiting the Parco Burcina Natural Reserve or Oasi Zegna, true natural paradises. Lake Viverone, the third largest lake in Piedmont, also offers beautiful walks and views. History buffs, meanwhile, should head to Masino Castle, the former residence of the Counts of Valperga.

From Venice to Chioggia, from Abano and Montegrotto Terme to Vicenza, from Bassano del Grappa to Treviso, to then close the loop and return to the Serenissima Republic of Venice: a circular route through the most beautiful cities in Veneto. Enjoy all this while riding a bike on easy-to-follow dirt bike paths alongside rivers, between sea and lagoon, villages and castles, spa waters and hills.

Ancona is made up of sea and hills. It seems that in ancient Greek "ankón" meant "elbow", and here the landscape of the coast is really like an elbow drawn from the hill of the Cathedral and the hilly parks of Cardeto and Passetto. In the middle is the city, with the sea horizon facing Dalmatia, ships and cranes along the docks, grandiose historical buildings, mysterious sculptural reliefs, imposing signs of the ancient Roman civilization, and beaches on the slopes of the parks. Spending a day of leisure in the large port city of the central Adriatic means making discoveries. Choosing two wheels is advisable, but not with a push bike: we are in a city of unevenness, not all of us have the strength of a cycling champion in our legs. There is no shortage of places to rent a scooter. You can get to Ancona by motorway, by the very long Adriatic road 16 or by rail. If you want, there is also an airport. The ideal thing would be to arrive in the most natural way: by ship, because you would get the taste of the place in the most panoramic and naturally slow way. Follow the manoeuvres, watch the tyres throw, get in line to disembark and finally begin to discover.

To pedal along this itinerary is to experience a duel between your head and your heart. The former requires you to keep your eyes on the tarmac, the latter to lift your gaze; towards the hills, the fortifications and the terraces that will enchant you. Three sceneries in one Wide and sandy beaches, interspersed with cliffs and long stretches of rock: we are on the Riviera dei Fiori, in western Liguria, where the hills covered by Mediterranean scrub run down to the sea. The scenery changes radically in the Alte Langhe, the Piedmont hills on the border with Liguria devoted to viticulture. Here the slopes are harsher, but always enchanting in their changing dress each season: green in spring-summer, snow-white in winter, yellow-orange with the autumn foliage. Lastly, the province of Cuneo, lying in the Upper Tanaro Valley, a natural environment that is still uncontaminated, with dense forests of oak, chestnut, beech and pine trees, where the lines on the horizon become more vertical. These are the walls of the Ligurian Alps and, further in the distance, those of the Alpine Arc. Riding your bike from Western Liguria to Piedmont The Riviera dei Fiori and the Piedmont hills. The Tyrrhenian Sea and the Alpine Arc that enraptures the eye and soothes the mind. It is hard to imagine a richer itinerary than this, winding along the roads of the 13th stage of the Giro d’Italia 2022. In addition to the natural heritage, there are historical, artistic and spiritual highlights; as well as an invitation to all cyclists: look up. Don’t limit yourself to the climbs (one actually) on your bike, but also take advantage of the towers, aerostats and domes. From above, this area will appear even more marvellous.

Along this route from Trentino to Veneto everything is shaped by nature: the landscape, art, trades, and city planning; even the pace of your pedal strokes – brisk but easy– is dictated by it, so as to let you feel the breeze from the hills and the scent of wine cellars All the shades of green Enclosed between the Lagorai chain to the north and the Vicentine Pre-Alps to the south, Valsugana is a paradise of centuries-old forests, thermal springs, hills planted with vineyards and meadows dotted with farmsteads. Here, eco-sustainability is the first commandment: at the centre of the tourism model are the health of the environment and the wellbeing of the people inhabiting the area. It is a philosophy that extends to the Prosecco Hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, a Unesco World Heritage Site: impervious hills, embroidered with parallel rows of vines, a symbol of the perfect symbiosis between man – with his wealth of knowledge – and nature with its resources. Finally, the lower Veneto plain, an area rich in water resources, including the Piave, Sile and Livenza rivers. A cycling route through Valdobbiadene From Valsugana, a valley-model of eco-sustainability, to Treviso, rolling through the hills of Valdobbiadene with its fine vineyards. Here we tell you about an easy-to-ride wavy itinerary, inspired by stage 18 of the Giro d’Italia 2022. What can you expect? A land in which the climbs are not impressive, but other special effects are. It turns into works of art, leaves room to man and his agricultural tools, and heat puffs from its belly. In short, it becomes a friend, even for you who are about to ride across it

The Tuscan countryside around Siena takes in spas as well as excellent food and wine with these five delightful cycling routes through picture postcard nature. The spectacular countryside around Siena, in Tuscany, offers slow rides immersed in nature with the bouquet of wines and truffles, natural spas and very old villages still pervaded by the presence of the ancient Etruscans. Here are five essential itineraries for a truly complete sensory experience. These enchanting landscapes will also welcome stages of the Giro d'Italia 2023.

A sort of an uncharted territory in regards to mass tourism, Molise, which lies between the regions of Abruzzo and Apulia, is a region that hosts numerous art treasures, breathtaking natural sceneries, and thousand-year-old traditions. A very characteristic aspect of Molise is its network of tratturi, the ancient grassy paths of transhumance from the pre-Roman Era up to only a few centuries ago, our ancestors traveled these trails, driving their animal herds from season to season. Livestock transhumance, the principal mainstay of the Southern peasant, was (and is still, in some cases) based on a very rigorous journey from the cool mountain pastures of Abruzzo in autumn, to the hot and humid Apulian Plateaus (where they reverse direction in summer).

If you're looking for a complete wellness experience for your summer, the best advice is to reach the thermal waters, with their healing and regenerating properties, and enjoy sunbathing, relaxing by the pool, the leisure and sport offered by Terme di Abano e Montegrotto. Located at the foot of the Euganean Hills, they are equipped with numerous services and offer the possibility of ideal treatments for the summer period. The entire Euganean area is full of recreational, cultural and natural attractions, perfect for a visit, by boat along the waterways, or by bike along the cycle paths at the foot of the hills. There are many things to do during the holiday period in the Euganean territory: here are some things absolutely not to be missed.

A romantic getaway for couples immersed in the fumes of thermal spa waters is ideal for an intimate break. The Wellness Valley of Emilia Romagna has many treatments and rituals in the offering for two people. Enjoy being pampered for a few hours or even entire days: here are some unmissable venues set among cities of art, sea and mountains.

From Venice to Chioggia, from Abano and Montegrotto Terme to Vicenza, from Bassano del Grappa to Treviso, to then close the loop and return to the Serenissima Republic of Venice: a circular route through the most beautiful cities in Veneto. Enjoy all this while riding a bike on easy-to-follow dirt bike paths alongside rivers, between sea and lagoon, villages and castles, spa waters and hills.

Cycling in the heart of Valli di Comacchio in search of memorable natural landscapes. The itinerary lasts only one day but you will remember it for a lifetime! From the Sacca di Goro and the age-old Abbey of Pomposa to the beaches of Ferrara, throughoases and nature reserves, to reach the town of the infamous Trepponti.

Italy is dotted with enchanting villages, each one worthy of a visit and packed with history. We recommend starting from Preci, of mediaeval origin, and from here embark on a two-wheel route through the heart of Umbria, through Valnerina, and then push on to Piana di Castelluccio. A cycling route about 50 kilometres, to be covered in two days, surrounded by unspoilt nature.

For cycling enthusiasts, the valley is a veritable open-air gymnasium. Noted for being Italy's first Gravel Destination, its main itineraries are ready to offer the best to gravel enthusiasts. Alpine Gravel, as the name suggests, offers unique routes that connect the valley with the forests and the Alps, along trails with views that are hard to forget. Little asphalt, lots of gravel or alpine terrain, all between 650 and 2200 metres above sea level. It is more technical, more high-performance and more spectacular than the paths you'd normally ride. Five factors make these routes unique: considerable variation in altitude (from 970 m D+). considerable gradient (with sections up to 21%); alpine surface (may be loose or stony). portage (it's not Alpine Gravel if you don't have to dismount at least once); technical descents (on steep and alpine terrain). Obviously, the use of a gravel bike, with min. 38 mm tyres, will be necessary. Once you're on the saddle, you're ready to discover Val di Sole BikeLand!

Walking along the Via del Giovane is not just to immerse yourself in a route with strong religious ties, but also to let yourself be embraced by sumptuous age-old beech and chestnut forests and then open your eyes to the horizon over the vast hills of the Pollino National Park. We are in the part of the Pollino overlooking the Tyrrhenian coast, composed of hills above the Crati valley, dotted with ancient churches, sanctuaries and monasteries. The 49-kilometre route is certified by the Italian Touring Club and is part of the longer Trail of St Francis of Paola (247 km), the hermit saint and founder of the Order of Minims. For Francis, it was a journey marked by restlessness, during which he felt the fire of a vocation and the desire to dedicate his life to religion but at the same time the uncertainty of not knowing how to do it. The first stage, that of enlightenment, is the small ancient inland town of San Marco Argentano, at about 420 metres above sea level. From here you reach Cerzeto, a municipality of Italo-Albanian ethnicity, language and culture, and then head towards the Tyrrhenian Sea, crossing the coastal chain until the extremely striking arrival at the Sanctuary of San Francesco di Paola. The route is almost entirely on a dirt track, with no hazardous points.

10 easy bike routes to discover some of the beauties of Lombardy, cycling with the family: from the Mincio cycle path to the Villoresi cycle path in Monza, among embankments, canals, vineyards, rice fields and walled cities.

Visiting Campania by paraglider or hang-glider is like nothing you could have imagined and yet harbours unforgettable emotions. In fact, for free-flying enthusiasts, who love to take to the skies and explore the Italian landscapes from above, exclusively aboard unpowered aircraft such as hang-gliders or paragliders, the varied territory of Campania is an air park that offers formidable panoramas, whether maritime or mountainous. Those who are new to the sport can find an opportunity here to indulge in a baptism of the air in a two-seater aircraft, driven by the expert hands of a professional pilot.

Soar through the sky surrounded by nature, enjoying breathtaking views of mountains and valleys, seas and lakes, quaint villages and islands, as you glide along steel cables in complete safety, all harnessed up and protected: six spectacular zip lines for an unforgettable, adrenaline-filled experience.

If you know by heart the unforgettable exploits of cycling champion Marco Pantani, you've probably already heard of Campo Imperatore. Just in Abruzzo, “il Pirata” flew in 1999 towards the first of his four stage victories of that Giro d 'Italia. Campo Imperatore is mainly known for its ski area, among the best known and equipped in central Italy. The town of Abruzzo is today a point of reference also for bicycle tourists. In addition to having cable cars, chairlifts and cranks, in fact, Campo Imperatore has a long tradition as a stage venue for the main cycling stage races, which have always attracted a festive crowd of cycling enthusiasts and which still today, in spring and summer, welcomes a constant flow of cyclists and bikepackers, arriving from Italy and abroad.

Practised on a roller board of various sizes, skateboarding is not just an extreme sporting activity, but a real lifestyle. It makes use of benches, steps and handrails, as well as specially designed spaces such as skateparks. Rome, between one archaeological site and another, is home to numerous spots, but two locations deserve special attention: the Bunker Skatepark and The Spot Skatepark Ostia. Let's find out together.

Flying over the mountainous landscape of the Veneto Pre-Alps is a spectacular sight, to then glide over the hills of the Veneto foothills, with its hilltop villages, cities of art, and the valleys of the Brenta and Piave rivers. Thanks to its natural updrafts, the climate, the accessibility of the take-off and landing areas and the still scarcely urbanised nature, the area lends itself very well to this pursuit. The Grappa massif, a mecca for free flight, located between the provinces of Vicenza, Belluno and Treviso, is the ideal place for hang-gliding and paragliding.

What does it take to soar through the blue sky aboard a hang glider? Naturally, a hill or a slope where to launch and then take off from with favourable currents, suitable weather conditions, a good dose of courage and the irrepressible desire, which man has cradled since the dawn of time, to observe the world from above. If you are looking for the place where all these conditions come together to create the perfect free flight experience, welcome to Umbria, where you will also have the opportunity to explore one of Italy's sweetest and most prized natural and artistic landscapes from a different point of view (from above). Umbria offers several flight centres for beginners and experts where you can experience the thrill of tandem flying with an experienced pilot for the first time, or get personally involved if you are already good, surrounded by enchanting natural scenery.