Spring

The gardens of Villa Reale in Marlia, an enchantment between art and nature The park of the Villa Reale in Marlia, near Lucca, is among the most beautiful in Tuscany and Italy, an enchanting place, once exclusive to the aristocracy, for a day of art and nature, strolling through the greenery among fascinating architecture, or organising a pleasant picnic in the open air. It covers 16 hectares. The gardens are partly of 17th-century design, on a terrace, with hedges, flower beds and tall trees, partly with "English-style" landscape, famous for its "living collection" of camellias. Inside the Park, you will find: the luxurious Villa Reale, used as a fortress by the Duke of Tuscia, with its majestic Water Theatre; the Villa del Vescovo, built in the 16th century on the ruins of an ancient medieval castle, and the 19th-century Orthodox Chapel of San Biagio; the Palazzine Gemelle by architect Giovanni Lazzarini, at the Park’s entrance; the characteristic 18th-century Palazzina dell'Orologio with six-hour clock; and the Chapel of San Francesco Saverio. The story of a camellia-scented "Napoleonic dream" The history of this wonderful villa dates back to the early Middle Ages, it prospered as a stately residence during the Renaissance and was significantly transformed during the Napoleonic period. The complex was purchased in 1806 by Napoleon's sister, Princess Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi, who had the park enlarged and redesigned according to English-style, one of the few in Italy, enriching it with new plant species, such as the famous camellias. Testifying to the lively court life at that time is the passage of the great musician Niccolò Paganini, who presented the premiere of Racine's "Phaedra" here in the Verzura theatre. When the Principality of Lucca became a Duchy, the villa passed to the Bourbon dynasty, and continued to be used as a summer residence. In the Italian Kingdom, it belonged to King Vittorio Emanuele II and, after some troubles, was bought by the Pecci Blunt Counts, in 1923, who restored it by adding new elements in an eclectic style, assigning the renovation of the park to an established French architect, Jacques Greber, who created streams, woods, a lake and other landscape elements that we can still appreciate today. Among the innovations presented by Greber is the Spanish Art Deco garden, distinguished by its geometric shapes, water fountains and the flowering of hibiscus, rose creepers, hypericum. Over the past few years, the complex of the Villa Reale in Marlia has been the subject of an extensive restoration project by its current owners, allowing it to reopen to the public in 2019. Pan's grotto In the oldest part of the garden is Pan's grotto, a nymphaeum constructed between 1570 and 1580, dedicated to the deity of shepherds and the countryside. Its exterior is characterised by wide arches, beyond which one enters a cave-like environment decorated with masks and niches. The work is credited to Bernardo Buontalenti, the same artist who created the grotto in Florence’s Boboli Gardens. The Gardens, with the old Verzura Theatre, the avenue of camellias, the lake, the heated pool Built between 1666 and 1670, Verzura Theatre at the Villa Reale in Marlia is the oldest in Europe, an extraordinary testimony to the style of the time to provide gardens with natural open-air theatres carved into the vegetation. The stage is a meadow, the wings are tall yew hedges embellished with terracotta statues representing characters from the commedia dell'arte. In this place of pleasure, maestro Niccolò Paganini played his violin for Élisa Bonaparte, and plays and concerts are still held here today. The first camellias at the Villa Reale in Marlia, considered exotic plants at the time, were brought from the Royal Palace of Caserta on the orders of Elisa Bonaparte for her brother Joseph, then on the throne of Naples. Thanks to the princess, today camellias are a characteristic feature of this magnificent place and welcome visitors as if in a "dream". To the architect Greber, on the other hand, we owe the 1920s lake, which today is one of the most important landscape elements of the park, as well as a valuable structure for proper irrigation. In the heated Pool, very modern for its time, early 20th century AD, along with the tennis, bocce and croquet courts, many excellent guests of the Pecci Blunt family, such as the artist Salvador Dali and the writer Alberto Moravia, have spent time here. The olfactory trail, for a sensory journey through time and the seasons Guests at the Villa Reale in Marlia are greeted in a unique and extraordinary experience of an "immersive" connection with nature and art. Visits include a wonderful olfactory trail, providing an unmissable sensory experience of the park's exceptional botanical biodiversity. Many different essences accompany guests on a journey through time in every season, scents of camellias, magnolias and mimosas, wisteria and hibiscus, linden, sycamore and weeping willow, to experience the emotions that Princess Elisa Bonaparte and the park's many notable guests also experienced.

The "paradise" on earth, between lake and sea, of the great composer Giacomo Puccini Torre del Lago Puccini, also known as Torre del Lago, is a charming little town near Viareggio, in the province of Lucca, in southern Versilia, ideally located between Lake Massaciuccoli and the Tyrrhenian Sea. On 21 December 1938, the name Puccini was added to the original name of Torre del Lago to honour the great composer, who lived here for about 30 years. At his house in front of the lake, now in the historic centre, Giacomo Puccini composed his most significant operas, including Tosca (1900), Madama Butterfly (1904), La Fanciulla del West (1910), La Rondine (1917) and Il Trittico (1918). Villa Puccini, in Art Nouveau style, houses the tomb of the illustrious composer. It stands on the belvedere of Lake Massaciuccoli, which offers numerous tourist attractions for hikers, guided tours to discover lake plants, such as the pink hibiscus or marsh orchid, and huts equipped for birdwatching, as it is an important "stopover" for migratory birds. Not far from the house is the imposing open-air Grand Theatre, which hosts the most distinguished names in world opera every year. Worth a visit is the 18th-century Church of San Giuseppe, where Puccini's solemn funeral was held on 29 November 1926, two years after his death in Belgium, to bury him in his Tuscan residence.

The vast expanse of water in the Tuscia Viterbese area and its two islands are prime tourist destinations in their own right. Added to them is the small and lively Bolsena itself, with its medieval village wrapped in a basin and the modern part towards the tourist harbour and the restaurants on the promenade. It is no coincidence that Bolsena is an Orange Flag resort certified by the Italian Touring Club for the quality of its environment, its artistic heritage and its capacity for hospitality. Here, history goes far back in time, even further than the 13th century when the Monaldeschi Castle began to rise: the territorial museum that can be visited in the castle recounts and bears witness to these long events, starting with the prehistoric settlement and the Etruscan and Roman civilisations. Once outside, one stops on the square to enjoy the view, and then heads towards the Renaissance Palazzo del Drago, which used to be the seat of the papal legates, and the thousand-year-old Collegiate Church of St. Christine, with its late 15th-century façade and wide Romanesque nave. In the church, a 13th century fresco on the arch leading to the Grotto of the Saint is the first historical representation of the famous Eucharistic miracle of Bolsena, the origin of the Catholic feast of Corpus Christi. A gate gives access to the room with the tomb of the martyr, portrayed lying on her sarcophagus in a moving 15th-century terracotta statue. In the Lake, the pair of islands is located closer to the other village ofCapodimonte, along the opposite shore from Bolsena. On the Martana Island it is said that Amalasunta, the daughter of the Ostrogothic king Theodoric, was imprisoned and then murdered in the 5th century; whether true or not, ruins of a castle and an original 9th century church remain. Less ancient is the church on the Island Bisentina: an architecture possibly by Giuliano da Sangallo the Younger, where the captain of the papal army Ranuccio Farnese the Elder has been resting since the mid-15th century. The Bisentina is municipal property, and you can eventually disembark there.

Perched at an altitude of almost a thousand metres, the village of Villalago stands out against the sky, dominating the panorama and the Valle de Lacu, so called because of its five lakes. The history of this small village in the province of Aquila, has its roots in ancient times: the village as we know it today was built in the 11th century by Benedictine monks and, in the late Middle Ages, suffered domination by various feudal families. Like a castle or a stronghold, it fascinates for its ancient essence: protected by the mountains, amidst woods of turkey oaks and beech trees, the historic village opens up, with its old houses and traces of the past still evident. All around, the lakes: San Domenico lake, with its clear, green waters; Scanno lake, first in terms of size and beauty; Pio lake, a natural oasis of waterfowl and an ideal destination for nature lovers.

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!

\"Pure gem in a superb treasure chest\", Antonio Fogazzaro defined it as such, speaking in 1905 at an international conference of writers that was held in Molveno. \"Gem\" for the transparency of the waters and the intense turquoise blue colour (even after the transformation into a hydroelectric basin in 1952). It is a \'treasure chest\' due to the spectacular mountains between which the lake is narrow, the Brenta Group to the west and the Gazza-Paganella group to the east, which give its shores a strongly Dolomite character. The lake was originated about 3-4,000 years ago by a gigantic landslide (200 trunks of a petrified forest were found on the bottom, even 30 metres high). On the lake, you can also do many water sports, as an amateur or competitively: from sailing to canoeing, from windsurfing to Stand Up Paddle, fromaquapark with Olympic pool to the immersive Slalom boat that takes place every year in August. The beach consists of 12 hectares of green and clean lawns. In this setting, you can do many water sports, beach volleyball, trekking, tennis, fishing, or just simply walk, sunbathe and, if you\'re younger, play and have fun.

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.

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.

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.

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.