Spring

Oltremare in Riccione: discover nature through play Between exotic habitats and typical Po Valley environments, the nature and technology park in Riccione invites you to discover the magical world of animals and the extraordinary story of their evolution. In Oltremare you will see performances by dolphins, falconry shows, alligators and kangaroos, meetings with trainers and even an art exhibition promoting the creative reuse of waste in cooperation with the Academies of Fine Arts. Dolphins are such a show In addition to the classic exhibitions of skill and play with dolphins, it is possible to take part in tours guided by trainers who introduce you to the animals, their behaviour, how they interact with humans and management techniques in an artificial environment. You will discover all the sensitivity and intelligence that characterises these playful mammals. Hunting birds of prey A free flight demonstration of eagles, owls, falcons, buzzards and vultures introduces the world of birds of prey, which are housed in the Owl Mill. With the falconry show, recognised in 2010 by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, the techniques and tools used for training are revealed. And you will realise how close the bond is between a falcon and its trainer. In Australia with kangaroos In the Australian section of Overseas you can meet the wallabies, small and tender marsupials (they measure about 90 centimetres) from south-central Oceania. The fifth continent is also discovered with the profession of palaeontologist in search of fossils and gold nuggets. Darwin space and the history of evolution In a large greenhouse, you can discover the history of the evolution of the plant and animal world, from the first organic molecule to complex organisms. You’ll be guided to discover the differences between primordial plants such as ferns and more evolved plants such as angiosperms. Among the animals is the American alligator, which evolved more than 150 million years ago and survived the great mass extinction that wiped out the dinosaurs. In the Po Delta It is a journey along Italy's largest river from its sources to its Delta, a fascinating ecosystem rich in life, like all wetlands, and at the same time fragile and threatened by pollution. The environment is reconstructed through fisherman's huts and birdwatching stations, which can also be discovered through play: there is a labyrinth, a sensory garden, a long jump...

Salvarola Spa, for those seeking relaxation or a romantic getaway in the Modenese hills Immersed in a large park at an altitude of almost 200 metres between plains and hills, woods and vineyards, the Salvarola Spa in Sassuolo in an elegant Art Nouveau building from the early 20th century is a beautiful, secluded destination for those escaping the city and looking to treat themselves to a weekend of pampering and peace. A trip particularly recommended for couples. A reservoir of “divine” and medicinal waters The locality is three kilometres from Sassuolo and about 20 from Modena. The therapeutic properties of the water used there were already known in Roman and medieval times. It is said that the powerful countess Matilda of Canossa habitually visited these places to benefit from them. It is no coincidence that the Sassuolo physician Giambattista Moreali, who founded the spa in the 18th century, described it as “divine” in a treatise. The thermal cures here use three different qualities of water, classified by experts as salsobromoiodic, sulphurocarbon and sulphobicarbonatomagnesium, for the treatment of various diseases of the joints, vascular system, respiratory tract and skin. At the Salvarola centre, you can undergo inhalation, mud-balneotherapy, gynaecological and hydropinic treatments. The spa complex also provides a polyclinic and a rehabilitation centre. The goal here is to recover fitness Alongside the offer of spa cures, in its park of over ten hectares the Sassuolo complex also includes 2,300 square metres dedicated to relaxation and fitness recovery. The Balnea Wellness Centre includes five pools and thermal pools at different temperatures with whirlpools, waterfalls, water games, vascular paths, gyms, sauna and steam bath. There are also four gyms equipped for training, yoga, Pilates, spinning and rehabilitation. The sensory spa beauty centre offers a wide range of aesthetic and cosmetic experiences for all ages. Among the more specific and gourmet beauty treatments linked to the products of the Modenese territory, you can explore wine therapy with Grasparossa and Trebbiano grapes, treatments and cosmetic lines with Vignola cherries, balsamic vinegar, clarified butter, grains and honey, and pumpkin. If you can, make sure to take advantage of the oriental, holistic, lymph-draining, thermo-aromatic and anti-stress massages that the centre provides. Excursions between castles and museums, from Sassuolo to Maranello We are at the ideal starting point for itineraries through art and history and excursions into nature. You can reach Sassuolo from here, also by bicycle, and visit the Este Ducal Palace, a masterpiece of Italian Baroque full of frescoes, stuccoes, sculptures and monumental fountains. The AMES museum preserves vintage cars and motorbikes. Another experience not to be missed is a visit to the municipal vinegar cellar in Sassuolo at Montegibbio Castle, one of the oldest manors in Modena. Or if you’re into cars, make sure to head to Maranello, just ten kilometres away from Sassuolo, which can also be travelled along a bike path, to visit the Ferrari museum. Tigelle, gnocco fritto and lambrusco, to pamper the palate too And you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to pleasing your taste buds after so many activities: you are in the heart of the food valley, where can choose from tigelle, gnocco fritto, tortellini and tortelloni and so much more, all accompanied by Vignola cherries and bensone, a typical oval-shaped dessert from Modena. The excellent local lambrusco will take care of the rest...

A historical theater with a music tradition of excellence On May 14, 1763, Teatro Comunale in Bologna was inaugurated with a Gluck's Trionfo di Clelia show. That was the beginning of a long music tradition that over time made it famous for the high level of its performances and the fame of the artists hosted on its stage. From Mozart, Rossini and Wagner’s symphonic operas to the voices of Stignani, Schipa, Gigli, Di Stefano and more recently, Pavarotti, Freni, Bruson and many others, to major conductors such as Von Karajan, Celibidache, Delman, Muti, Abbado, Gatti and Jurowski, the Teatro Comunale di Bologna has always been a landmark in terms of music tradition closely linked to the city's well-known music culture. Every year, it hosts approximately 80 operas and 30 symphony concerts, making for a truly extensive and articulated artistic season. The theater, a veritable institution for the city of Bologna, carries out corporate partnership projects, cultural reviews open to everyone and educational activities, promoting and supporting new talents through the Opera School.

Zoomarine: the animal show The spectacular movements of dolphins, the funny displays of seals and sea lions, the leaps of lemurs, the darting of flying squirrels. All this and more can be found at Zoomarine in Torvaianica, along the Latium coast south of Rome. A unique space where there are not only exotic animals. Indeed, Zoomarine's mission is to teach young and old alike to respect pets first and foremost. With swimming pools, slides and funfair, Zoomarine in Torvaianica is the ideal place to spend a fun-filled day. What to see at Zoomarine In the dolphin stadium, an exciting show of jumps and dives is staged every day with three talented performers. To find out more and observe the animals up close, it is also possible to take part in a poolside activity to talk to the trainers and learn from them the gestures that guide the dolphins in their performances. The same can be done in the pinniped bay, where seals and sea lions perform, meeting experts who are in contact with the animals every day for 30 minutes. In the parrot forest you discover macaws, cockatoos, amazon parrots, and toucans with their wonderful colours; in the turtle oasis you get to know the placid tortoises; with lemurs you can take a selfie; in the flamingos' nest you come face to face with the birds in an interactive aviary; walking through a forest with three ponds, you can see Australian pelicans, lesser flamingos, black-necked swans, wood ducks, sun conures and other animals together with instructors. Learning to love pets Not only exotic or unusual animals at Zoomarine: passion and love for animals can be developed by learning to take care of the animals we have closest to us, our dogs and cats. In the company of a Border collieof a Maremma Shepherd and a Bergamo Shepherdyou learn the importance of playing and empathy in the upbringing of pets and their everyday management. Water park & funfair A day at Zoomarine is pure adrenaline between the exciting animal encounters, the irresistible attraction of the water slides, the amusement park, the swimming pools, the tropical beach and the diving shows. Also worth trying are the fitgames, which combine sport and technology, and the 4D cinema. For the youngest children there are rides on the farm train, a visit to King Arthur's castle, a carousel ride and a zoo-guide.

A place for music in Rome The Accademia of Santa Cecilia in Rome dates back to 1585 and is one of the oldest musical institutions in the world. Its long history makes it the capital’s music hub par excellence. Consisting of one of the most distinguished and internationally prestigious academic corps, orchestra and symphonic choir, it promotes educational, cultural and artistic initiatives in the field of music. The venue for its concerts is the Auditorium Parco della Musica designed by Renzo Piano; a complex of acoustic and architectural excellence, consisting of four auditoriums: Santa Cecilia designed for symphony concerts, Sinopoli for experimental music, Petrassi dedicated to operas and plays, and the Cavea, an open-air space with the excellent acoustic quality equal to that of its indoor halls. With a large exhibition area represented by the Resonance Hall, the Bibliomediateca that preserves the historical archives of the National Academy of Santa Cecilia, the Museum of Musical Instruments, and the multiplicity of events and shows hosted each year, the Auditorium is Rome’s active and multifunctional hub for music, art, and culture.

Piazza del Popolo The historic entrance to the city and the “Tridente” of Roman shopping On Piazzale Flaminio, open along the Muro Torto stands Porta Flaminia, the monumental entrance to the historic Piazza del Popolo. The view from the terrace of the Pincio with the Flaminian Obelisk, the fountain, and the three churches, offers a grandiose panorama of it all. The Church of Santa Maria del Popolo will surprise you with works by Raphael, Caravaggio and Bernini. Wonderful twin churches in baroque style placed on opposite sides of the obelisk: Santa Maria in Montesanto or Church of the Artists by Gianlorenzo Bernini and Santa Maria dei Miracoli, have different layouts and but were built on the site where the famous miracle of the Blessed Virgin took place. From the square you can go up to the Terrazza del Pincio, for a walk in the park of Villa Borghese; from the streets of the so-called Tridente, Via del Babbuino, Via del Corso and Via di Ripetta you can enter the shopping areas or you can sit at the tables of the historical cafes for a break with an aperitif.

Trastevere A History, traditions and nightlife in one of the most famous districts of Rome. The heart of Rome and Roman Age, a characteristic district that among its alleys full of history hides churches, squares and museums. It was the inspiration of poets such as Belli and Trilussa to whom the squares by the same name are dedicated. And starting from Piazza Trilussa you can walk the streets of sampietrini that will guide you to Santa Maria in Trastevere, a hidden treasure, enclosed within the walls of the slightly Bohemian-style buildings. The large fountain in the middle of the square, in front of the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, is a meeting place for young people, tourists and street artists. Around Piazza San Callisto in the evening you will have many choices among breweries and venues where you can enjoy traditional dishes, perfect to meet the needs of even the most demanding palates! History, architecture and nightlife make it definitely the most interesting district to experience in Rome.

The largest temple in Rome The Pantheon is one of the best-preserved Roman monuments in the world. It was built in 27 BC at the behest of Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa. Between 112 and 125 A.D., Hadrian had it rebuilt, enlarging it, reversing its orientation and opening a large porticoed square in front of the new temple. Its dome, with its 43.44 m internal diameter, is still the widest hemispherical dome ever built in unreinforced concrete, larger than that of St. Peter’s. What is most surprising about the architecture of the Pantheon is its size: the height of the building is equal to the diameter of the dome, just over 43 meters, a feature that reflects the classic canons of rational Roman architecture. The inner part of the dome is decorated with five rows of 28 coffers that narrow upwards. An 8.95-meter-diameter oculus opens in the center, allowing natural light to penetrate and illuminate the entire building. In case of rain, the water enters the Pantheon and disappears into the 22 near-invisible holes in the floor. The oculus creates a spectacular astronomical effect whereby every 21 April at midday, a beam of light enters the Pantheon at such an angle as to perfectly hit the center of the entrance. At that exact hour, the Emperor Hadrian crossed the threshold of the temple so that the people could admire his whole figure surrounded by light, like a god. Having fallen into a state of abandonment and looted, the Pantheon was saved from the Barbarian incursions by Byzantine emperor Foca who donated it to Pope Boniface IV. It was consecrated in 609 to Santa Maria dei Martiri and unknown Christian martyrs were buried in its basement. Later it became a burial place. Raphael and the Kings of Italy Vittorio Emanuele II, King Umberto I and Queen Margherita of Savoy were laid to rest here. On the day of Pentecost, every year, a shower of rose petals descends from the oculus inside the Pantheon at the conclusion of the celebration of Corpus Christi.

The Stadio Olimpico del Nuoto (Olympic Swimming Stadium) is an aquatics centre at the Foro Italico in Rome, Italy. Inaugurated in 1959, it was designed by the architects Enrico Del Debbio and Aniballe Vitellozzi to host the swimming, diving, water polo, and swimming portion of the modern pentathlon events for the 1960 Summer Olympics. The venue was refurbished to host the 1983 European Aquatics Championships, and reconfigured and expanded for the 1994 World Aquatics Championships. The stadium was the main venue of the World Championships again in 2009, and will host the European Aquatics Championships in 2022.

The hipster district near the Colosseum A neighborhood that’s a little bit 'vintage and a little bit "hipster", located between the Imperial Fora and the Esquiline Hill, so called because it covers three of the seven hills of Rome (Esquiline, Viminal and Quirinal). It is the first district of Rome, made of cobblestones, narrow alleys and small squares, museums, craft shops and vintage stores, where history blends with modernity and the nightlife atmosphere reflects the lively spirit of clubs and wine bars, frequented mainly by Romans. Tightly packed between Via Cavour and Via Nazionale, it was known as the Suburra (under the city) because of its basements extending all the way to the Colosseum. Today it is one of the coolest neighborhoods in the city, while retaining the popular character of yesteryear. In the picturesque ups and downs of alleys and ivy-covered houses, you can admire the church of San Pietro in Vincoli and the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.