Things to do in Italy

Born in Ferrara, Giorgio Bassani (1916-2000) was actually quite low-profile, but he was highly regarded as a writer: Strega Award for "Cinque storie ferraresi" in 1956; Viareggio Award for "Il giardino dei Finzi-Contini" in 1962; Campiello Award for "L'airone" in 1968. To commemorate his work, the Giorgio Bassani Foundation was established in Ferrara in 2002. It is based in a literary venue par excellence, none other than the house of Ludovico Ariosto. Three rooms on the ground floor display a special library, with the books that once belonged to Bassani, often with his notes or with dedications by their authors, but also with objects from his everyday life. You thus enter his study room and it is as if the writer had stepped out of it for a moment, and you become acquainted with his life, portrayed in texts and images as in a sequence of memories…

Are video games your life-long passion? What if we told you that in Bologna you can travel through time and experience the entire evolution of digital technology? We present to you the Videogame Art Museum, exhibiting everything from the first video game in history to futuristic projects.

These are the departure and arrival stations of Lucania's Volo dell'Angelo )Angel’s Flight, one of the most attractive zip lines in Italy. An adrenaline-filled adventure, from the heights of unspoilt nature.

There are no age limits: anyone (even children weighing over 25 kg subject to parental authorization) can enjoy a tandem flight without having to attend any courses. Italy is criss-crossed by mountains and hills, cliffs over the sea or lakes and high plateaus between countryside villages with endless natural springboards for sky-diving. Just a short run - usually together with an instructor - takes you for a real dive into the currents, along the flow of air to glide down to the valley below. The rest is pure emotion, overflowing feelings that ignite all the senses. A thrilling experience all year round (provided weather conditions allow safe flying), over urban, historical and natural scenarios without equal anywhere in the world. Fly and believe.

There are many ways of getting into the air today, and hot air balloons are undoubtedly the most romantic and “slow”, truly within everyone's reach. Less intrepid people will prefer being able to climb aboard "ships" anchored to the ground with the certainty - after soaring into the air - of landing again in exactly the same place. Yet the secret of flight in a hot air balloon is to let yourself be lulled and carried by the currents, the impression of floating lighter than air itself. A crossing that - depending on the winds - can take a balloon in any direction, like a sailing ship ploughing the air waves. Flight altitudes are managed by the pilot using the characteristic burner in the heart of the balloon for the entire duration of the flight. Don't worry: you will always be followed by the team on the ground managing the trip, ready to pick you up wherever the balloon's basket touches down.

Sports holidays are becoming increasingly fashionable. It may be the hectic pace of everyday life and the scarcity of free time, but carving out a space to devote yourself to your favourite sport, while on the one hand a pipe dream, is also a burning desire, and all the more so when it comes to golf.

The Internazionali BNL d’Italia is an important tennis event to live. You can decide whether to watch the competition live, on TV, live on Sky on the Sky Sport Tennis and Sky Sport 1 channels or via streaming on Now TV. In any case, it is a unique opportunity to discover the sporting face of the Italian capital.

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.

Spring holidays such as Easter are the time of the year when it’s permissible to escape the ritually laid tables and family gatherings. If you are fearless at heart, you could treat yourself to an out of the ordinary, alternative holiday full of adventure, and vivacious fun. Challenge yourself with outdoor experiences and exploring landscapes, with histories and traditions that will take your breath away. Here are 6 exciting destinations to spend an Easter weekend full of open-air fun, starting in southern Italy.

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.

We are in the Spluga Valley in a ski resort in the province of Sondrio that lies between 1150 and 2880 metres above sea level. But Madesimo is a perfect destination in every season. In fact, if the ski slopes are fun in winter, the hiking trails are a real boon for walkers, or bike riders, during the warm season.

One of the oldest and most historical in the country, the Saint Vicinius Trailextends between the provinces of Forlì-Cesena, Arezzo and Rimini. A circuit of roads and paths over three hundred kilometres long. The itinerary follows the ancient route taken by San Vicinio, representing the stages of his life and the places where the first bishop of Sarsina dedicated his work: from the Savio Valley to Monte Fumaiolo and on to the Adriatic Sea. Like the Trail, the Cycle Path is also closely linked to the figure of the bishop and the town of Sarsina, which, besides being the point of departure and arrival, is also home to the thousand-year-old Co-cathedral Basilica where the Saint's remains lie. The San Vicinio Cycle Path accompanies the Trail, further enriching it by following the same route, albeit, this time, on a bicycle. You ride through a typical Apennine setting, rich in fortresses, castles, wooded and wild areas, as well as the beauty of hilltop villages, art and culture, not least of which is food and wine.

Meditation, forest bathing, tree hugging and spiritual walks are experiences all to be enjoyed in Trentino for those who love nature and wellness.

A very effective way of regaining lost well-being and unplugging from the daily grind, the only choice you have to make is to select the option that comes closest to your tastes and needs. Here are 7 ideas between nature and wellness, all in the open air, with the scent of the mountains.

Thanks to its generous nature, its extraordinary historical-artistic heritage and food-and-wine itineraries that criss-cross it far and wide, Le Marche has now established itself as the destination of choice for slow and sustainable tourism in Italy. From the Sibillini Mountains to the beaches of the Conero, here will find, even in peak season and at reasonably affordable rates, vistas and oases of peace and beauty worth exploring slowly, listening to the rhythms of nature and staying in the area's typical dwellings. Many B&Bs and agritourisms in the Marche region preserve within their walls the true spirit and traditions of an ancient region that is so closely linked to its environment. We have selected for you 5 charming destinations in Le Marche immersed in nature, for your ideal summer in Le Marche.

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.

If you think that relaxation and physical activity are an impossible combination, you should take a trip to Emilia Romagna: here you can follow an itinerary that combines nature and sport. 4 stages that mix thermal spas, a place of well-being par excellence, and cycling, to regenerate not only the body but also the mind.

The custom of exploiting the healing properties of spa waters finds its roots in the past. This is why, starting in the 1800s, several establishments of immense artistic and architectural value began to be developed in the style of the time - and are still in business today! Here are 5 historic spas in Emilia Romagna.

An enchanting natural setting of hills, vineyards and olive groves, and villages populated by villas, farmsteads and castles. This is Franciacorta, an area stretching from Brescia to Lake Iseo. We invite you to explore its landscape, famous for producing the wine of the same name and full of surprises.

Halfway between the plains and the Pre-Alps lies a land famous for its peasant dishes and renowned wines. This is Franciacorta, home of food and wine industry leaders and tours. Our suggestion is a journey to discover its flavours, among breathtaking views and picturesque villages, precious architecture and historic religious complexes. A food and wine tour that can also be cycled, with a dive into bubbles.

A small village on the border between Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta watches over one of the most beautiful agricultural landscapes in Italy: the terraced vineyards of Carema have exploited the steepest slopes of the mountain to cultivate nebbiolo grapes, used to make Carema DOC wine.

The folk wisdom of an ancient people, combined with the millennial knowledge preserved in the many monasteries, has been able to combine taste with an indisputable archaic knowledge of flowers, fruits and aromatic herbs, their properties, their scents and flavours, giving rise to high quality distillates, highly appreciated even outside the region.

Aosta Valley is the smallest region in Italy. Dotted with the highest peaks of the Alps such as the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, Gran Paradiso and the majestic Mont Blanc, it has great grappa distillery traditions. An ideal digestif after rich meals based on local specialities, Aosta Valley grappa is distinguished for its production quality and superb taste.

16 municipalities, 70 wineries, 150 kilometres. This is one of the oldest Wine Routes in Italy. The fascinating food and wine route winds its way through the lush vineyards of South Tyrol, from Nalles to Salorno. Taking in its unusual views with their incredible colours, you’ll visit an area full of history, culture and relaxation, naturally tasting the best wines and local delicacies.

Several opera and music festivals every year, especially in summer, pay homage to great Italian composers by staging their more and less famous works. They are naturally held in their birthplaces, thereby also providing an excuse to discover and visit them: here are the 6 most famous.

The evocative natural landscapes intertwine with a rich artistic and cultural heritage to make Teramo the ideal destination for nature lovers who want to travel back in time to discover the people and cultures that have made history in this area since the 8th century BC.

This jewel near Naples, in Campania, which lets you travel back in time, has long held the record as the most visited place in the world. The archaeological area of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata is among the 58 Italian UNESCO sites in the World Heritage List. It never ceases to amaze, giving you the opportunity to explore the extent of the commercial city of Pompeii, the fewer but better-preserved remains of the ancient town of Herculaneum and the frescoes of the Villa Oplontis in Torre Annunziata, which portray the opulent lifestyle of the wealthy classes at the beginning of the Roman Empire.

It is 'the learned', because in 1088 it saw the birth of the first university in the western world, which still today attracts students from around the world. It is 'the red' because of the characteristic colour of its roofs, visible from the top of its medieval towers. And it is 'the fat' – you just try to resist the temptation of a sandwich stuffed with fresh mortadella or a dish of piping hot lasagna!

The capital of Calabria, Catanzaro is known as the City between two seas, as it is located at the narrowest point in Italy, separating the Ionian coast from the Tyrrhenian. Its origins are very ancient, in fact, legend has it that the Magna-Greek city was founded by Ulysses thanks to the unique characteristics of its territory, a crossing point along the route between East and West. Other hypotheses, however, trace the foundation of Catanzaro back to the ancient Greek colony that later became Scolacium.

A visit to Prato is a feast for the eyes, a chance to discover the city and let our minds and hands experience a wonderful, unending stream of sensations. We start our journey in Tuscany right here, in this city where every place becomes a thought and every thought becomes art, a city where every monument to the past bears witness to a history of resourcefulness and pride. Let us be guided by Curzio Malaparte's observation as we discover that "it is in Prato where everything ends: the glory, the honour, the piety, the pride, the vanity of the world".

There is more to Puglia than the classic tourist destinations, especially for those who love to explore and are looking for unusual itineraries. A trip "off the beaten track" is what is needed to say goodbye to monotony, get out of the routine and venture into the hidden heart of the Bel Paese. This is how photojournalist Lorenzo Scaraggi discovered an undiscovered Puglia on board a camper van from the 1990s. Thus was born Puglia Fuori Rotta, a documentary centred on a 30-day journey that, thanks to little-trodden paths, reveals a region with a mysterious and surprising side. Here are the five stages of Puglia Fuori Rotta, each to be experienced with all the senses.

World Earth Day falls on 22 April each year, a date set to raise awareness of the important issue of protecting the planet. The theme of Earth Day is “Restoring Ecosystems” through actions such as reforestation, rewilding, reconstruction of natural infrastructure and coral restoration. Italy, too, between National Parks, Protected Areas and Reserves is actively engaged in this battle aimed at conserving biodiversity and habitats.

With the arrival of the first warmth, when the snows melt, Italian landscapes begin a slow chromatic transformation as a result of the many blossoming fruit trees, widespread speciality crops and, of course, the imagination of those who have designed and created our many parks and gardens. An explosion of colour that has become very popular in the age of social media, thanks to the many contributions shared by travellers enraptured by the flowers of lentils in Umbria, sunflowers in Tuscany or lavender in Piedmont. Here is a "travel diary" of flowers and perfumes to discover in Italy from January to the end of summer.

The coastline stretching from the North Western section of the island across to the North Eastern area of Sardinia represents an ideal itinerary for those who love to spend their time visiting wonderful bays and for visitors who would prefer to combine a beautiful landscape with elements of cultural value. All this is possible when you travel from the Costa Paradiso – a district which by no mere chance acquired such a high-sounding name thanks to its enchanting beaches - to the tourist resort of Palau with its breathtaking landscapes.

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.