Spring

The town of Arona is a splendid jewel on the Piedmont shore of Lake Maggiore, in the province of Novara From the lakeside you can enjoy poetic views of Lake Maggiore, and by boat you can reach the characteristic Borromean Islands. The old town centre is a riot of ancient palazzi, churches in a variety of styles and other places of interest such as the Archaeological and Mineralogical Museum in Piazza San Graziano. The heart of medieval Arona is Piazza del Popolo, where the Palazzo del Podestà and the baroque-style Church of Santa Marta (or Church of the Madonna di Loreto) dominate. Those who wish to combine spirituality and contact with nature can make a stop at the Sacro Monte of Arona, dedicated to St Charles Borromeo. A giant statue, the 'San Carlone', which can also be seen from the other side of the lake, is also dedicated to the archbishop of Milan. The municipality is home to the Lagoni di Mercurago Nature Park, a protected area established in 1980 and included among the 'Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps', declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011. Find out more: https://www.prolocoarona.it/

Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club Situated on a spur of rock overlooking the gorges of the Sangro River, the small medieval town of Barrea offers an exceptional viewpoint over the lake of the same name and over some of the most beautiful and important mountains of the National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise. The monumental Castle, with its two towers, two doors (Upper and Lower) and a defensive wall formed by wall-houses, are signs of the town’s perfectly preserved medieval urban structure, together with its succession of narrow streets, squares and viewpoints. It is worth stopping in Piazza Umberto I, where you can admire the Church of Saint Thomas Apostle and a neoclassical fountain, as well as visiting the Antiquarium della Civiltà Safina and the Sala dei Pipistrelli. From Barrea, you can enjoy numerous excursions and tours on foot and by bike or e-bike. Goat's cheese and both sheep’s meat and beef are the town’s main typical products. As regards events, we recommend two particularly suggestive and representative ones: a sacred representation of the Passion of Christ held on Holy Saturday, and the Sagra degli Orapi, held on the 13th of August to celebrate the famous “orapo”, a wild spinach that grows in the mountains.

Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club There are many ways to experience and appreciate the beautiful village of Torno, overlooking Lake Como. You can start with its typical cuisine, tasting fish specialities such as agoni, lavarelli and perch, cooked fried or marinated. Stroll along the lake shore, letting yourself be carried away by the enchanted atmosphere that breathes here, admiring the medieval traces that time has left in the lower part of the village. Or go in search of its artistic and cultural treasures. Not to be missed, in this sense, are the parish church of Santa Tecla, which houses the Man of Sorrows, an important 16th-century fresco; the 14th-century Church of San Giovanni; and finally, outside the centre, the 16th-century Villa Pliniana, a building anchored to the rock with its suggestive waterfall.

Pike, tench, whitefish, perch and eels have always swum happily in the waters of the large lake some forty kilometres north of Rome. It is a fish fauna that tourists are kindly requested not to disturb while swimming, sailing or paddling in canoes, after having approached one of the various sports clubs on the banks. Not that the area lacks culture: in the town of Bracciano dominating the waters is the imposing mass of the Orsini-Odescalchi Castle, an excellent example of military architecture and aristocratic residence from the second half of the 15th century, which today offers itself as a museum among frescoes, paintings, ceramics, period weapons and furnishings from four or five centuries ago. The circular walk of Bracciano Castle, between majestic cylindrical towers, is also excellent for the panorama on the Lake, not much different from the other town on the Lake: Anguillara Sabazia, known for its gastronomic traditions based on lake fish and broccoletti as well as fireworks at local festivals and fairs. Entering the historical centre of Anguillara through the 16th-century Porta Maggiore, you cross the village leisurely as far as the 18th-century Collegiata di S. Maria Assunta. Outside the walls, however, there are Renaissance-era frescoes in the church of S. Francesco. The name of a well-known nearby bathing establishment refers to black sand, which sounds like confirmation of the lake's ancient volcanic origins. The triad of historic settlements along the banks is completed by the smaller Trevignano Romano, for environmental and tourism quality, certified by the Italian Touring Club as an Orange Flag location.

Cannobio is a bustling and popular tourist destination on the shores of Lake Maggiore. In its cobbled streets, you can visit the 18th-century collegiate church of San Vittore before entering the 14th-century town consisting of the Bell Tower and the Palazzo della Ragione. On the lakeside promenade are the palaces of various eras and the Santuario della Pietà, built by Carlo Borromeo in 1583. Not to be missed in January is the Festa dei Lumineri, a procession to the Santuario della Pietà in memory of a miracle, to which the Pan dolce di Cannobio is linked.

Increasingly popular, and not only with Central European tourists, Mergozzo is a small holiday resort located on the western tip of Lake Mergozzo at the mouth of the Ossola valley in the basin of Lake Maggiore. Its waters are suitable for bathing and are particularly clean. The village is picturesque, with stone houses leaning against each other and reached by narrow alleyways. The white and green granite of Mergozzo are part of the history of Italian architecture (the columns of the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome came from here, after travelling around Italy for two-years).

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).

These are the magnificent scenery of the Langhe, Roero and Monferrato, where the great Italian wines of Piedmont, Barolo and Barbaresco, are produced. This jewel of Piedmont with its seductive landscapes has become part of the World Heritage List of Unesco.

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

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.

Take your time cycling along an easy route, and lose yourself in your own thoughts and in the wild, fragrant nature of the Valnerina. Follow the 28-kilometre Nera River cycle route through the Umbrian section of the valley, you won’t regret it.

There is a long cycle route that joins together the Trentino and Veneto tracks and, following the banks of the rivers Adige, Bacchiglione and Brenta, passes through the cities of Verona, Vicenza, Padua and Venice. Are you ready? It starts at Lake Garda, with a route that meanders along mostly asphalted roads alternating with pleasant dirt tracks, and offers plenty of potential excursions, steeped in history and tradition.

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.

Valle Roveto is the gateway from Lazio to Marsica, in Abruzzo. The area is perfect for cycling enthusiasts. We recommend a four-stage cycling itinerary to be completed in four days: from Avezzano, in the province of L’Aquila, you will cycle 143 kilometres to the Molise stage of Rionero Sannitico. You will pass through places that have been inhabited since ancient times, between flat areas and steep ascents. It will be a journey of discovery through the varied geomorphological and cultural landscapes of this fascinating land.

Umbria - lush and green - boasts a dense network of evocative cycling itineraries for an active open-air holiday, perfect for experts or beginners thanks to the different degrees of difficulty. Five not to be missed and enchanting routes taking in broad panoramas, jewel-like villages and excellent food and wine.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.