Summer

It is enough to look out over the edge of the ancient volcanic caldera that gave birth to the Valle di Monastero for your gaze to wander over vineyards as far as the eye can see. These are Zibibbo grapes from Pantelleria, a very ancient vine that is still cultivated on the island according to a technique introduced by the Phoenicians. So much so, in fact, that it also merited inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014.

The itinerary we propose crosses an extraordinary stretch of the Sicilian coastline: the one from Palermo, pearl of the Mediterranean, to Messina, the gateway to Sicily, an important strategic port in the north-eastern corner of Trinacria (the name by which the island was called in antiquity, due to its triangular shape). A 120-mile route to be experienced in one breath, among artistic and cultural heritages, for a journey back in time. All this in a beautiful landscape setting, which with its sea and numerous beaches will give you such a delightful time.

The journey we are proposing is known as the Route of the Gods, because it passes through areas of such charm that can only be described as divine. A 150-mile route to discover an ancient coastline, combining archaeology and nature. A mini-cruise from the Sicilian Sea to the Ionian Sea, which will thrill you with numerous delightful excursions.

The coastline stretching from the North Western section of the island across to the North Eastern area of Sardinia represents an ideal itinerary for those who love to spend their time visiting wonderful bays and for visitors who would prefer to combine a beautiful landscape with elements of cultural value. All this is possible when you travel from the Costa Paradiso – a district which by no mere chance acquired such a high-sounding name thanks to its enchanting beaches - to the tourist resort of Palau with its breathtaking landscapes.

Concentrated in the south of Italy, they are a visible sign of the tireless activity of the Earth, which has created these unique and extremely distinctive places in terms of shape and colour, and where the mouths of volcanoes are often still active. Their incessant bubbling, which sometimes turns into spectacular eruptions, makes these corners of the Mediterranean truly perfect for a special holiday, also in the pursuit of wellness. Indeed, thermal springs and volcanic muds are a special feature of these islands, particularly in the Aeolian Islands and on Pantelleria: here you can combine the relaxation of the sea, the freedom of boat trips, gourmet culinary experiences and relaxing or detoxifying wellness courses. In short, if you want to regenerate, these are the detox body treatments to try this summer, and beyond, in the spas and resorts of Sicily's volcanic islands.

In the meantime, let's consider some of the notable aspects of this pearl of the Mediterranean and its mosaic of wonderful scenery and facilities situated in an area of less than 8 square kilometres. A rocky coastline, cliffs overlooking the sea and various enchanting gorges enclosing small sandy beaches and basins of pure crystalline water are particular characteristics that render this island a unique venue. The interior of the island, which is of volcanic origin, is no exception and you will be captivated by its fascinating archaeological sites and small villages.

Much of Italy’s Region of Calabria is coastal, a peninsula in itself surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea. Its southernmost riviera, running along the Ionian Sea between the cities of Riace and Locri, is known as the Costa dei Gelsomini, or Jasmine Coast. One of the wildest coastlines and steeped in history, the magnificent Costa dei Gelsomini winds through 90 km or 56 miles of the Province of Reggio Calabria. As you might have guessed, the Coast takes its name from the cultivation of the fragrant climber plant, rather diffuse throughout the territory. Bays with low, sandy beaches alternate with high and jagged cliffs; meanwhile, all of it is surrounded by green, citrus- and olive-covered hills, all the way to the Parco Nazionale dell'Aspromonte. The Jasmine Coast is an ideal spot for a simple and peaceful vacation in a pristine environment imbued with beauty, history and traditions.

The Teramano Coast, the longest riviera in the Region of Abruzzo, is an oasis of art, relaxation, and natural beauty fronting the Adriatic Sea. Just imagine miles upon miles of golden, sandy beaches, equipped for every want and need, and you have the idea.

The Jasmine Coast is a beautiful mix of villages perched on rocky outcrops and magnificent beaches, ruined cities from the era of Magna Grecia and the magical fragrance of bergamot. And jasmine, of course, which finds its ideal habitat here. But there are plenty of other fabulous aromas! The culinary delights that this little strip of land has to offer include ‘nduja sausage, “sazizza”, Mammola stockfish, pecorino cheese and ricotta. After all, we are in Calabria: there's a delicious recipe around every corner! Other sensory delights await the visitor: the unspoilt tranquillity of the Aspromonte massif, an invitation to meditate, relax and breathe in the clean air of the Ionian sea, calling you to adventure. Why not start your journey at Pentedattilo, a little village clinging to "five fingers" of rock. Continue to Bova, where you can discover all the secrets of Greek culture. The excavations at Locri Epizefiri will take you to the heart of Magna Graecia, while in Gerace, "City of 100 churches" you can enjoy the breathtaking views. Your itinerary ends at Stilo, with its five famous brick domes.

Large beaches of golden fine sand, with a clear, quiet sea and a shallow seabed, where the little ones can safely play in the water and on the water’s edge: In Italy, there are many – and beautiful - child-friendly beaches with full facilities from the north to the south of the Boot.

Italian and Mediterranean, lying in the middle of the sea halfway between Africa and Europe: this is Sardinia, an island that, in its great variety of landscapes, history and traditions, has found its own proud regional identity. From the Carthaginians to the Piedmontese House of Savoy, via the Romans, Vandals, Byzantines and Aragonese, the historical presences of foreign peoples on the island have left indelible marks on the territory of their passage. Signs that can be found in churches and palaces, inSardinian food and wine and in the Sardinian language. Conquests and dominations never completely compromised the survival of a strong local culture, born more than 3,000 years ago with the expansion of the Nuragic civilisation, the expression of a people of shepherds and navigators, farmers and warriors, who worshipped pagan divinities linked to the fertility of the land and the power of water and the seasons. The handing down of pre-Roman and pre-Christian customs and traditions, symbolising the cultural autonomy of Sardinia, is particularly evident in today's Barbagia, the destination of this itinerary along the Sardinian east coast. The name of this mountainous area derives from the term barbaria, used in Byzantine times to indicate an inaccessible yet fascinating territory: foreign populations, unlike in other parts of the island, never completely succeeded in taking possession of Barbagia. And still today, in these places, one encounters places that are still wild and uninhabited but also strongly anchored in traditions and always pleasant to visit in all seasons. In autumn, from September to December, for example, more than 30 Barbagia municipalities are involved in the Autunno in Barbagia event, such as Oliena, Dorgali, Orgòsolo and Mamoiada to name but a few. And on this occasion, every village is an open-air museum: the inhabitants open their houses and courtyards (cortes) and along the streets of the old town centre is a succession of events dedicated to the discovery of local cuisine and handicrafts as well as the historical and artistic heritage of this area. We might be able to see housewives baking bread or making pasta, farmers pressing grapes or making wine, shepherds making cheese and craftsmen working on wood or leather. Before reaching the sea of the Gulf of Orosei at Arbatax, which reveals a thousand shades of blue amidst caves, coves and steep cliffs, the itinerary takes us through villages, gorges and forests, creating its own programme in the unspoilt nature, with sporting excursions and moments of relaxation, across the two wonderful sub-regions of Barbagia: Nuorese and Ogliastra. Finally, from Arbatax we return inland to Orgòsolo, with its murals and picturesque surroundings.

The coastline stretching from the North Western section of the island across to the North Eastern area of Sardinia represents an ideal itinerary for those who love to spend their time visiting wonderful bays and for visitors who would prefer to combine a beautiful landscape with elements of cultural value. All this is possible when you travel from the Costa Paradiso – a district which by no mere chance acquired such a high-sounding name thanks to its enchanting beaches - to the tourist resort of Palau with its breathtaking landscapes.

Jagged coastlines and cool golden sand, lively beaches and quiet lidos, but also a nature characterised by mountains and forests, rich in plant species and unique fauna in a natural habitat inhabited by deer, chamois, wolves, bears, foxes and lynx.

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.

The venue has become a “Mecca” destination for professional sports people and enthusiasts from all over Europe. Due to its ideal characteristics it is considered a select port of call by those who practice this kind of sporting activity, but also on account of a magnificent setting and panoramic views across the sea and the various rock formations.

For cycling enthusiasts, the valley is a veritable open-air gymnasium. Noted for being Italy's first Gravel Destination, its main itineraries are ready to offer the best to gravel enthusiasts. Alpine Gravel, as the name suggests, offers unique routes that connect the valley with the forests and the Alps, along trails with views that are hard to forget. Little asphalt, lots of gravel or alpine terrain, all between 650 and 2200 metres above sea level. It is more technical, more high-performance and more spectacular than the paths you'd normally ride. Five factors make these routes unique: considerable variation in altitude (from 970 m D+). considerable gradient (with sections up to 21%); alpine surface (may be loose or stony). portage (it's not Alpine Gravel if you don't have to dismount at least once); technical descents (on steep and alpine terrain). Obviously, the use of a gravel bike, with min. 38 mm tyres, will be necessary. Once you're on the saddle, you're ready to discover Val di Sole BikeLand!

Have you reached this earthly paradise? Then make yourself comfortable and examine the cheese menu, firstly with Fontina, the queen of Valle d'Aosta products. You will be able to recognise it by its sweet flavour and straw-yellow colour, paler in the cheeses produced in winter, when the cows are fed with hay, and deeper in summer production. These are followed by delicacies such as Gressoney toma cheese, salignon, reblec, brossa, seras and goat cheeses, each with its own story to tell. Listen and taste them all. Go on to classics such as Valdostana-style chops, polenta concia and ”soupe valpellineintze” (Valpellina-style soup); venison, chamois in salmì (in “civet”), trout, “carbonade”, a beef stew, and fondue, a single dish made with cheese, melted in a dedicated pot, to be consumed hot, are also excellent. Enjoy sausages, such as Vallee d'Aoste jambon de Bosses, a specially matured ham, Boudin with a refined taste, Saouseusse, seasoned minced meat, Lard d'Arnad, soft lard, Teuteun, salted beef udder, Motzetta, aromatic dried meat. The Alpine microclimate is the joy of apples, which develop intense flavours here. Try the Red and Gold delicious, Jonagold and Renetta: raw or cooked, they are sweet and versatile, the basis of smoothies, sweet or savoury jams, to be served with fine dishes. Last but not least, desserts and wines. For the first courses, try the tegole, torcettini - typical regional biscuits - and the blanc manger alla valdostana with cream; for the second courses, place of honour to all, such as the whites Muller-Thurgau and Pinot noir (vinified in white) and the reds Pinot noir, Gamay, Torrette, Nus Rouge. Had too much to eat? Here's a shot of Genepì, a digestive made from alpine herbs, artemisia.

Trentino boasts no fewer than 11 locations recognised as \"the most beautiful villages in Italy\". They are special places, where you can really savour the taste of tradition. Nestling in secluded locations amid forests or mountain pastures, for centuries the source of sustenance to local communities, the villages of Trentino welcome you with cobbled courtyards, fountains, mural paintings of saints and angels on the stone walls, porticoes, barns and balconies made of timber, still used today to dry corn cobs and nuts.

In the Monti Sibillini National Park, the natural scenery for this sport is practically perfect, and this is thanks to the meeting of the Velino and Nera rivers, which myth has it were two lovers, from whose tormented and endless love the Marmore Falls, among the highest in Europe, would be created. Fun is guaranteed by the natural springboards that invite you to dive in.

A fun activity for everyone, suitable for all levels of athletic ability and all ages: nowadays, many see kayaking as an alternative way to discover an area, on a par with walking or going for a bike ride. Routes often overlap, so it may also be an option to pick up your kayak after cycling or walking along one of Italy's many uniquely stunning trails. Natural, wild landscapes, or rivers running through cities: Italy offers plenty of routes that are suitable for everyone, with excursions lasting for a few hours or - for real enthusiasts - several days.

The popularity of this sport has grown exponentially in recent years, from those who decide to practice it regularly, attending courses and obtaining certifications, to those who consider it a holiday activity along with other watersports. Fitting yourself out with a wetsuit, board and sail and following the wind - literally - along the Italian coasts or lakes in search of the best kitesurfing beaches is guaranteed fun. If you are wondering where to go kitesurfing in Italy, by the sea or a lake, we have great news: the wide beaches and climate make the Italian landscape from north to south very conducive to this sport, all in breathtaking locations.

If that weren't enough, the boot of Italy is dotted with blue pearls, small and large lakes in the plains areas or high in the mountains that characterize our landscapes. Finding out what's under that delicate line separating water from sky is an impulse that encourages more and more people to have a go at diving. Many courses are available in Italy, even during a short stay, to get closer to this experience in many places where sea-beds are home to wonders. All designed by Mother Nature, of course, with the colours of gorgonian corals home to a rich variety of marine fauna, as well as homo sapiens over the centuries. Under the water, just off the coastlines, evident traces of human evolution emerge which, in Italy as in few other parts of the world, bear witness to an indissoluble bond with our past.

The date to mark in your diary is 4 September, when the Grand Canal becomes the stage for the famous Venice Historical Regatta, an event not to be missed, for enjoying the city at one of the liveliest times of the year. Here are all the places to get a front row seat to watch the race.

At the end of June 2023, Genoa will host The Grand Finale, the finish of The Ocean Race, the most famous and gruelling round-the-world crewed race. It is an extraordinary sporting challenge that is also a sustainability project.

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.