Spring

The red lake and its mountain huts Considered one of the natural jewels of the Adamello Brenta Natural Park, Lake Tovel is the largest natural lake in Trentino. Situated in the Val di Non, it is also known as the red lake, after the colour of its waters due to the action of an algae, which, however, no longer occurs today. The “Red Lake” Park House along the lakeshore offers an exhibition area and spaces for educational activities and scientific research, explaining this unique phenomenon. You can walk around the perimeter of the lake along a trail suitable for all fitness levels that takes about an hour and a half, with a short uphill section on a wooden staircase. Among the many picturesque sights, don’t miss the bay of Rislà, with its white beaches, where you can stop for a picnic or even a dip in the water, although the temperatures are always quite low. From here, you can walk to the Rislà waterfall: in about fifteen minutes you will be able to enjoy a truly impressive spectacle. We recommend a tour of the mountain huts in Val di Tovel, but keep in mind that the road to the lake is open seasonally and is closed from November to March. The ideal time to visit is in spring: with the thaw, you will be treated to views of the many ephemeral lakes that disappear in the summer.

Among villages, nature and water sports There are countless ways to enjoy a holiday on the shores of Lake Garda. This stretch of water – the largest in Italy – between Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino-South Tyrol stretches between high mountains and green plains, making its way among villages steeped in history, ancient ruins and castles, and places where you can enjoy outdoor sports and marvel at breathtaking views. You can treat yourself to a stroll through some of the most beautiful and popular villages in Italy, such as Sirmione, with its Scaligero Castle and the Grottoes of Catullus, and Desenzano, with its splendid Roman villa featuring colourful mosaics. In Peschiera del Garda, you can explore a fortress town surrounded by water, while in Limone del Garda it feels as though time stands still. Impressive, eccentric and bursting with history and art, the Vittoriale degli Italiani, a villa-monument once home to Italian poet Gabriele d’Annunzio, is a must-see in Gardone Riviera. For children, as well as adults, looking for entertainment, the Gardaland amusement park is the perfect solution. The lake is also a paradise for water sports enthusiasts: from kitesurfing and windsurfing to canyoning and diving, it is impossible to ever get bored!

Walking around the lake, among villages, historic villas and superb views The province of Como is industrious, but it is on the shores of its famous lake featuring picturesque views, charming villages, Art Nouveau-style architecture and enchanting gardens that over the years have captivated Hollywood and the countless actors who have made their home there. From Menaggio to Cernobbio, from Torno to Laglio via Bellagio and Tremezzo: every stop along the way is bursting with beauty and authenticity. Tourists looking for a cultural holiday among unmissable monuments, churches and museums can start in Como and spend a day exploring the city: the Cathedral, Villa Olmo, which often hosts exhibitions, not forgetting a trip to the Tempio Voltiano with its permanent exhibition dedicated to physicist Alessandro Volta. Then you can take a break for a few hours and take the cable car from the lakeside promenade to Brunate. Trekking enthusiasts can enjoy breath-taking views from the Sacro Monte di Ossuccio, one of the nine Sacri Monti hilltop complexes of Piedmont and Lombardy, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Another must is a trip to the Isola Comacina, a small oasis of peace surrounded by the waters of the lake and accessible by boat from March to October.

Ice skating, hiking and sports activities all year round A few kilometres from Trento, the small village of Baselga di Piné overlooks the plateau of the same name. A popular summer and winter resort for skiing and long walks, it is an excellent starting point for visiting this beautiful corner of Trentino, at the foot of the majestic Lagorai peaks. The village offers picturesque views typical of mountain villages. The parish church of the Assumption, with Gothic architecture dating back to the 16th century and a 17th-century pointed bell tower, is home to valuable wooden altars and a painting by Paolo Naurizio. Baselga di Piné is also home to the Ice Rink Piné, which is one of the best-equipped ice rinks in the region and the venue for renowned international competitions. If you love the outdoors, the nearby Piazze and Serraia lakes are an irresistible attraction for picnics, excursions, canoeing, sailing, windsurfing and taking a dip in the clear waters, which are awarded the Blue Flag every year. In winter, meanwhile, their frozen surfaces attract ice skating enthusiasts. Finally, don’t miss an excursion to the Cros del Cuc, to admire the panoramic view over the surrounding territories.

A pearl of Valsugana At the beginning of the Mocheni Valley, in a generous sunny plain a short distance from Trento, there is Pergine Valsugana, a charming village capital of the high Valsugana characterized by a suggestive Renaissance historic center. A perfect destination for all tastes, for those looking for attractions to explore and unforgettable opportunities to relax. Dominated by the ancient walls of the Castle of Pergine, the village conquers with its imposing Renaissance palaces, the many churches and patrician houses that embellish the beautiful Via Maier, to be walked with open mouth. Also worth visiting are the Church of San Cristoforo, the Museum of the School and the Museum of Agricultural Tools to better immerse yourself in the history of the area. A short distance away you can reach Lake Caldonazzo, with the equipped beaches of San Cristoforo to take a refreshing bath and sunbathe, but also dedicate yourself to many sports including sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, but also golf. The surrounding mountains and valleys also offer the perfect opportunity to take a stroll through unspoilt nature and history, between trekking routes and the archaeological sites of Serso and the Lagorai Mining Park.

The gateway to the lake Its name is derived from Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and passages. Due to its location on the northern shore of Lake Trasimeno, Passignano has always been an obligatory stop for those travelling between Umbria and Tuscany. Etruscans, Romans and the troops of the Carthaginian Hannibal stopped here. Today, Passignano sul Trasimeno is one of the most picturesque towns overlooking the lake. The small fishing village is dominated from above by the medieval Rocca, which can’t be missed, including climbing the 30-metre tower. From the vantage point at the top, you can admire the glistening water and the Maggiore, the Minore and Polvese islands. Among the key events to discover the folklore of Passignano is the Palio delle Barche. It is held every year at the end of July to re-enact the final battle between two rival families of Perugia, the Baglioni and the Oddi with a competition between the four boroughs of the district.

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 farmer on his way back from the fields, an ancient Roman on a road heading North, a never-forgotten champion holding the handlebar with all his might. What about you? Who are you dreaming to be? The hinterland in Le Marche plays the main role in the second to last stage of Tirreno-Adriatico, the coast-to-coast race in which the cycling top contenders face off. The itinerary we are describing in these lines, however, lends itself to the (perhaps down-scaled) effort of the cycling enthusiasts. The merit goes to its mild slopes, immersed in the woods or surrounded by sunflower fields, its artistic richness and its wide culinary offer. Who among you, once off the bike, can say ‘no’ to a dish of cold cuts paired with some Vernaccia?

If in doubt, we certainly recommend a visit here, with its patchwork of small vineyards that carpet the hillsides and valleys of the area, dotted with the precious vines that have been cultivated for centuries with hard work and passion, which can even make teetotallers jump out of their skin with enthusiasm.

Thanks to the mild climate, the festive bridges and the Easter holidays, spring is the right time for a long weekend at the Terme di Abano and Montegrotto. Located at the foot of the Euganean Hills, in the province of Padua, this large spa area offers many opportunities suitable for all tastes: targeted treatments, nature walks, parks to visit and tasty seasonal dishes. If you are looking for ideas for your Easter out of town, for example, in this article you will find some advice for a mini-vacation between the Spa and the Euganean Hills.

The Prosecco hills between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, in the province of Treviso, represent an ancient world that has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019. Choosing the Prosecco Hills as a destination means admiring small vineyards on narrow grassy terraces called “ciglioni”, beautiful hill ridges, medieval villages and hamlets, forests and cultivations. A rugged but enchanting terrain, long shaped and adapted by man, who has nevertheless thoroughly respected its nature, resulting in a distinctive chequered landscape characterised by rows of vines parallel and vertical to the slope. A destination full of beauty and overwhelming flavours accompanied by good drink.

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.

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.

Un itinerario affascinante nel cuore dell’Appennino laziale partendo da Subiaco, uno dei Borghi più Belli d’Italia, per arrampicarsi sul Monte Livata e scoprire la meraviglia del Parco Naturale dei Monti Simbruini, a due passi da Roma ma con panorami naturali selvaggi tutti da esplorare. A pedali, naturalmente! L’itinerario è lungo 28 chilometri che si possono percorrere agevolmente in giornata visitando le bellezze che offre questo angolo d’Appennino e fermandosi a gustare le prelibatezze locali. Assaggiate ju pappaciuccu a base di cavoli neri e pane casereccio e i subiachini, biscotti di mandorla con glassa. Non c’è salita che possa resistervi dopo aver fatto il pieno di energia.

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.

Are you ready to attend one of the most famous and most-watched sports competitions in the country? The Giro d'Italia 2023 will take place from 6 to 28 May and is full of surprises and emotions. The historic road cycling stage race, won last year by the Australian Jai Hindley, will see 176 participants divided into 22 teams face 3,489 kilometres on their bikes. The route, which is divided into 21 stages of varying difficulty, will start in Abruzzo and will end in the heart of Rome, the Eternal City. If you want to know what the stages are, who are the favourites, what the programme is and where you can follow it, you can find all the answers in this article.

A four-day itinerary through Campania, from the Matese Regional Park to the Upper Sele Valley. Amidst forests and caves, with a regenerating stop at the thermal baths of Telese and the crunchy taste of Valle di Maddaloni's annurca apples. Until the Vesuvius and the dazzling sea of the Amalfi Coast appear, filling the eyes and heart and getting energized to tackle the final climbs to Laviano. It will be a journey full of wonder, sweeping away all weariness.

Hop on your bike for an exciting two-day ride through Basilicata, all the way to the border with Calabria to discover the wild beauty of this region. You will be enchanted by the murge and inebriated by the fruit fields of Metapontino, before reaching the sea. It is a route suitable for everyone and almost entirely flat, giving you time to enjoy the breathtaking panorama.

Versilia: land of tourists, sailors, artists and bike lovers. We’re talking about the athletes who, from Lido di Camaiore – the stage of numerous Giro d’Italia finishes: in 1997, 2002, and 2007 – head straight for Forte dei Marmi, before returning to their starting point in the individual time trial that kicks off the Tirreno-Adriatico competition. But also land of the many amateurs who for 12 months of the year, thanks to a particularly mild climate, ride up and down the hills and the Apuan Alps that look like the austere guardians of this trendy and full-service stretch of coast.

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.

In the heart of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will find a perfect new dimension in uncontaminated territory where you can cycle on routes covering over 400 kilometres. Would you like to learn more about the opportunity? We’ll provide you with a few details. Given your particular interest, an ideal location would be Paganella, where the local bike park offers access to a series of routes winding across a spectacular mountain range, with downhill, free-ride and ‘flow’ trails, and also single-track zones. Tracks of various grades for all levels and types of biking activities.

Rocky coastline overlooking the sea paths that wind between the Mediterranean scrub, cliffs overlooking the beaches with vibrant colors and crystal clear waters: Sardinia with its wild interior and spectacular views has long been known as one of the most fascinating destinations for lovers of climbing. Thanks to its mild climate, the island offers the possibility to climb throughout the year and, as of late spring, a vacation that combines relaxation on the beach with sports. Cala Gonone in the province of Nuoro, Jerzu in the province of Ogliastra, Isili in the province of Cagliari, Supramonte in the central-eastern area, and Iglesiente in the southwest of the island, are just some of the places not to miss if you want to explore Sardinia’s walls of rock. Climbable walls are present, however, all over the island and recently areas such as Sassari and Alghero are becoming popular. These courses tend to be well-equipped and periodically checked. They were initially discovered and evaluated by Sardinian and European outdoorsmen, and are now beloved throughout Europe.

It is the trendiest discipline of the moment: and what city better than the cool, international city of Milan can offer suitable spaces for parkour, the adrenaline-fuelled urban sport of acrobatics, jumping, climbing and vaulting between ramps, walls, bars and railings? No other, in fact. So, enthusiasts, experts and all those aspiring, take note.