Spring

Lake Monterosi: the small crater and a clash between Pope and Emperor Lake Monterosi is one of the smallest volcanic lakes in Italy: a secondary crater of the Sabatino volcano, it has a diameter of just over 600 metres. Located along the Via Cassia, 2 km from the town centre, it has been a Site of Community Importance since 1995, and a Special Protection Area since 2016. It is a vital stopover area for migratory birds travelling between the Cimini Mountains and Lake Bracciano. The Stirrup Incident On the shores of this body of water—referred to as Janula in some ancient sources—Frederick Barbarossa and Pope Adrian IV met on June 9, 1155. The Emperor refused to hold the stirrup for the Pontiff as he dismounted his horse, a gesture that would have signalled his status as a vassal of the Church. In turn, the Pope denied him the kiss of peace. The diplomatic tension was later resolved, and on June 18, Barbarossa was crowned Emperor in Rome. The Papallione Fountain Another historical episode involving Lake Monterosi relates to Pope Leo X who, during a hunting trip (possibly in 1515), stopped to drink from a spring near the lake. According to tradition, impressed by the water's quality, he requested that a proper architectural frame be installed for the spring. So a lion's head in stone was crafted, with water flowing from it into a basin. The Papallione Fountain still exists today in Piazza Garibaldi, though the original lion's head has been lost.

Lake Giulianello in Cori: the last natural lake at the foot of the Lepini Mountains Lake Giulianello lies hidden among tufa hills in the countryside of Cori, at the foot of the Lepini Mountains. It is the last survivor of three lakes that once occupied the basin before ascending the southern ridges of the Vulcano Laziale (Colli Albani). Small, quiet, surrounded by woods — the kind of place where you can spend a few hours in peace. A story of three lakes and those who drained them In ancient times there were three bodies of water here: the lacus vetus, the Pescara lake and the Giulianello lake. The first disappeared as far back as antiquity — perhaps at the hands of the Volsci, who built a system of underground tunnels to channel the waters toward Giulianello. The Pescara lake was drained by the Borghese family in the eighteenth century to obtain land for growing wheat. Of the three, only Lake Giulianello remains today: small, natural and sub-elliptical in shape. A natural monument since 2007 It has a surface area of about 11 hectares and reaches a depth of 10 metres. It has been a natural monument since 2007. The surrounding woods include chestnut, downy oak, Turkey oak and hornbeam trees; poplars and white willows grow along the banks. The lake is a stopover and wintering site for wetland birdlife and a historic grazing area used by local shepherds.

Laghetto degli Alfieri: The Hidden Oasis Where 113 Bird Species Pass Through To the north of Lake Fondi, hidden among meadows and eucalyptus trees, lies a stretch of water known to few people. Laghetto degli Alfieri is one of the most biodiverse wetlands in Italy. Eighteen hectares in total, five of which occupied by the lake itself: a miniature ecosystem that mirrors the habitats of the larger lake nearby. We are in the Monti Ausoni and Lago di Fondi Regional Nature Park, in the province of Latina. From Hunting Reserve to Birdwatching Paradise Until a few decades ago it was a private estate used for hunting. Today it is a protected area managed by the Park Authority, and can be visited by appointment. Between 2007 and 2010 a bird-ringing station operated here: over seven monitoring campaigns, more than 32,000 birds of 113 different species were recorded. Its position along migratory routes, between the Ausoni Mountains and the coastal wetlands, makes the lake a key stopover for black-winged stilts, purple herons, cranes, storks, and ospreys. In winter, cormorants, coots, and mallards arrive here. The Restoration Project In 2024 the Park Authority signed an agreement with LIPU — the Italian Bird Protection League — for environmental amelioration measures: expansion of the reed beds, recovery of existing structures, and new pathways for sustainable visitor use.

Lake Capo d'Acqua in Castrocielo: the water that supplied a Roman city Lake Capo d'Acqua is a small body of water fed by natural springs at the foot of Monte Cairo, in the municipality of Castrocielo, province of Frosinone. From this lake flowed the watercourses that for centuries gave life to ancient Aquinum, a Roman colony on the Via Latina. It has been part of the Aquinum Natural Monument, established by the Lazio Region, since 2017. Land reclamation projects over five centuries The springs feed the so-called "Forme d'Aquino" — channels diverted and regulated by the Boncompagni princes in the 16th century to reclaim the plain, which had become swampy over time. The same channels still reach Aquino today, before flowing into the Liri river, between Pontecorvo and San Giorgio a Liri. This water supply system has thus been active and functioning for over 500 years. The lake today The lake has 3 hectares of protected wetland. On its bank is the Church of the Madonna del Pianto (Our Lady of Tears). Romanesque in origin it has a single nave, modified in the 18th century with three Baroque altars and an arched pronao (portico). As soon as you walk in you can immediately understand it has changed its skin more than once. The site is accessible to people with reduced mobility, albeit with some difficulties at specific points.

Lake Turano at Castel di Tora: the surprising artificial lake an hour from Rome Lake Turano stretches for 10 km through the woods of the Monte Navegna and Monte Cervia Nature Reserve, in the province of Rieti. The result of the damming of the Turano river, it sits at 536m above sea level at the foot of Monte Navegna (1508m). A dam, 3,000 workers and a submerged village The dam, designed in 1916, had more than 3,000 people working on it. The project was completed in 1938, at a very high cost in terms of human lives — a memorial plaque along the SP 34, near the dam, bears the names of the workers who died during construction. The rising waters submerged farmhouses and the small village of Colle Piccolo, which was rebuilt higher up and given the name Colle di Tora. A 9 km tunnel connects the reservoir to the nearby Lake Salto: together they feed the Cotilia hydroelectric plant, in Cittaducale. Kayaking, e-biking and the ghost village of Antuni The lake is open for swimming. Kayaks, canoes, SUPs and pedal boats can be rented at nautical clubs in the Castel di Tora area. For those who prefer dry land, there is trekking to the Vallocchie Waterfall (20 minutes on foot), e-bike excursions and the climb to the abandoned village of Antuni, with the Del Drago princes' palace and the hermitage of San Salvatore perched above the water worth seeing.

A small natural oasis just a few kilometres from Trento One of the most striking places to visit in Trentino is Nembia Lake, a pristine body of water nestled between the Paganella mountain and the Brenta Group. Less well known than the neighbouring, and much larger, Lake Molveno, Nembia Lake is a small natural oasis where you can treat yourself to a few hours of relaxation while immersed in nature. Located at an altitude of 800 metres, near the Adamello-Brenta Nature Park, the lake is protected by the WWF and is open to explore, with an educational trail that allows visitors to discover the flora and fauna of the area. The best way to explore this picturesque lake, which is 400 metres long and just 120 metres wide, is to take the 3-kilometre path to Lake Molveno: it is a level trail that you can walk or cycle along, following the 14 information panels that provide valuable information on the oasis, the formation of the two lakes and the surrounding ecosystem. During the warmer months of the year, you can also enjoy a swim in the shallow waters of the lake, which are crossed on the north-eastern side by a practical wooden footbridge.

There, everyone can make a tailor-made bike experience, either following the wake of the great champions, or choosing a not too testing ride, even with the whole family. The grand finale of Tirreno-Adriatico, the cycling race that runs across the Italian peninsula from sea to sea, unfolds in a scenery imbued with blooming and salty scents. The itinerary begins on the hills overlooking the sea and ends along the coast. A slower-running course in the first half, owning to the ups and downs that can test your quadriceps and lungs a faster-running route in the second half along the straight stretches that favour an upping pace. Here is a short guide to pick the fittest one for you.

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.

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.

The route we are proposing is rather challenging, but full of charm: 109 kilometres to ride your bike through theMolise, region which, despite its small size, has much to offer. Departing from Rionero Sannitico, more than a thousand metres above sea level, you will cycle to Campitello Matese, several stages of the Giro d'Italia.

There, everyone can make a tailor-made bike experience, either following the wake of the great champions, or choosing a not too testing ride, even with the whole family. The grand finale of Tirreno-Adriatico, the cycling race that runs across the Italian peninsula from sea to sea, unfolds in a scenery imbued with blooming and salty scents. The itinerary begins on the hills overlooking the sea and ends along the coast. A slower-running course in the first half, owning to the ups and downs that can test your quadriceps and lungs a faster-running route in the second half along the straight stretches that favour an upping pace. Here is a short guide to pick the fittest one for you.

The northern territory of Basilicata, crossed by the Apennines, is rich in forests and small villages steeped in history and ancient traditions. We recommend discovering this picturesque land along a 96.7-kilometre route on the saddle of your mountain bike. It starts from Castelgrande, in the province of Potenza, and arrives at Lago di Serra del Corvo lake, on the border with Apulia, along an itinerary connecting the main stages of brigandage 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.

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.

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.