Things to do in Italy

Born in Ferrara, Giorgio Bassani (1916-2000) was actually quite low-profile, but he was highly regarded as a writer: Strega Award for "Cinque storie ferraresi" in 1956; Viareggio Award for "Il giardino dei Finzi-Contini" in 1962; Campiello Award for "L'airone" in 1968. To commemorate his work, the Giorgio Bassani Foundation was established in Ferrara in 2002. It is based in a literary venue par excellence, none other than the house of Ludovico Ariosto. Three rooms on the ground floor display a special library, with the books that once belonged to Bassani, often with his notes or with dedications by their authors, but also with objects from his everyday life. You thus enter his study room and it is as if the writer had stepped out of it for a moment, and you become acquainted with his life, portrayed in texts and images as in a sequence of memories…

Are video games your life-long passion? What if we told you that in Bologna you can travel through time and experience the entire evolution of digital technology? We present to you the Videogame Art Museum, exhibiting everything from the first video game in history to futuristic projects.

These are the departure and arrival stations of Lucania's Volo dell'Angelo )Angel’s Flight, one of the most attractive zip lines in Italy. An adrenaline-filled adventure, from the heights of unspoilt nature.

There are no age limits: anyone (even children weighing over 25 kg subject to parental authorization) can enjoy a tandem flight without having to attend any courses. Italy is criss-crossed by mountains and hills, cliffs over the sea or lakes and high plateaus between countryside villages with endless natural springboards for sky-diving. Just a short run - usually together with an instructor - takes you for a real dive into the currents, along the flow of air to glide down to the valley below. The rest is pure emotion, overflowing feelings that ignite all the senses. A thrilling experience all year round (provided weather conditions allow safe flying), over urban, historical and natural scenarios without equal anywhere in the world. Fly and believe.

There are many ways of getting into the air today, and hot air balloons are undoubtedly the most romantic and “slow”, truly within everyone's reach. Less intrepid people will prefer being able to climb aboard "ships" anchored to the ground with the certainty - after soaring into the air - of landing again in exactly the same place. Yet the secret of flight in a hot air balloon is to let yourself be lulled and carried by the currents, the impression of floating lighter than air itself. A crossing that - depending on the winds - can take a balloon in any direction, like a sailing ship ploughing the air waves. Flight altitudes are managed by the pilot using the characteristic burner in the heart of the balloon for the entire duration of the flight. Don't worry: you will always be followed by the team on the ground managing the trip, ready to pick you up wherever the balloon's basket touches down.

Sports holidays are becoming increasingly fashionable. It may be the hectic pace of everyday life and the scarcity of free time, but carving out a space to devote yourself to your favourite sport, while on the one hand a pipe dream, is also a burning desire, and all the more so when it comes to golf.

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.

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.

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.

The Internazionali BNL d’Italia is an important tennis event to live. You can decide whether to watch the competition live, on TV, live on Sky on the Sky Sport Tennis and Sky Sport 1 channels or via streaming on Now TV. In any case, it is a unique opportunity to discover the sporting face of the Italian capital.

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.

Meditation, forest bathing, tree hugging and spiritual walks are experiences all to be enjoyed in Trentino for those who love nature and wellness.

A very effective way of regaining lost well-being and unplugging from the daily grind, the only choice you have to make is to select the option that comes closest to your tastes and needs. Here are 7 ideas between nature and wellness, all in the open air, with the scent of the mountains.

Thanks to its generous nature, its extraordinary historical-artistic heritage and food-and-wine itineraries that criss-cross it far and wide, Le Marche has now established itself as the destination of choice for slow and sustainable tourism in Italy. From the Sibillini Mountains to the beaches of the Conero, here will find, even in peak season and at reasonably affordable rates, vistas and oases of peace and beauty worth exploring slowly, listening to the rhythms of nature and staying in the area's typical dwellings. Many B&Bs and agritourisms in the Marche region preserve within their walls the true spirit and traditions of an ancient region that is so closely linked to its environment. We have selected for you 5 charming destinations in Le Marche immersed in nature, for your ideal summer in Le Marche.

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.

If you think that relaxation and physical activity are an impossible combination, you should take a trip to Emilia Romagna: here you can follow an itinerary that combines nature and sport. 4 stages that mix thermal spas, a place of well-being par excellence, and cycling, to regenerate not only the body but also the mind.

The custom of exploiting the healing properties of spa waters finds its roots in the past. This is why, starting in the 1800s, several establishments of immense artistic and architectural value began to be developed in the style of the time - and are still in business today! Here are 5 historic spas in Emilia Romagna.

An enchanting natural setting of hills, vineyards and olive groves, and villages populated by villas, farmsteads and castles. This is Franciacorta, an area stretching from Brescia to Lake Iseo. We invite you to explore its landscape, famous for producing the wine of the same name and full of surprises.

Halfway between the plains and the Pre-Alps lies a land famous for its peasant dishes and renowned wines. This is Franciacorta, home of food and wine industry leaders and tours. Our suggestion is a journey to discover its flavours, among breathtaking views and picturesque villages, precious architecture and historic religious complexes. A food and wine tour that can also be cycled, with a dive into bubbles.

A small village on the border between Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta watches over one of the most beautiful agricultural landscapes in Italy: the terraced vineyards of Carema have exploited the steepest slopes of the mountain to cultivate nebbiolo grapes, used to make Carema DOC wine.

The folk wisdom of an ancient people, combined with the millennial knowledge preserved in the many monasteries, has been able to combine taste with an indisputable archaic knowledge of flowers, fruits and aromatic herbs, their properties, their scents and flavours, giving rise to high quality distillates, highly appreciated even outside the region.

16 municipalities, 70 wineries, 150 kilometres. This is one of the oldest Wine Routes in Italy. The fascinating food and wine route winds its way through the lush vineyards of South Tyrol, from Nalles to Salorno. Taking in its unusual views with their incredible colours, you’ll visit an area full of history, culture and relaxation, naturally tasting the best wines and local delicacies.

Aosta Valley is the smallest region in Italy. Dotted with the highest peaks of the Alps such as the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, Gran Paradiso and the majestic Mont Blanc, it has great grappa distillery traditions. An ideal digestif after rich meals based on local specialities, Aosta Valley grappa is distinguished for its production quality and superb taste.

Several opera and music festivals every year, especially in summer, pay homage to great Italian composers by staging their more and less famous works. They are naturally held in their birthplaces, thereby also providing an excuse to discover and visit them: here are the 6 most famous.

The evocative natural landscapes intertwine with a rich artistic and cultural heritage to make Teramo the ideal destination for nature lovers who want to travel back in time to discover the people and cultures that have made history in this area since the 8th century BC.

It is 'the learned', because in 1088 it saw the birth of the first university in the western world, which still today attracts students from around the world. It is 'the red' because of the characteristic colour of its roofs, visible from the top of its medieval towers. And it is 'the fat' – you just try to resist the temptation of a sandwich stuffed with fresh mortadella or a dish of piping hot lasagna!

This jewel near Naples, in Campania, which lets you travel back in time, has long held the record as the most visited place in the world. The archaeological area of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata is among the 58 Italian UNESCO sites in the World Heritage List. It never ceases to amaze, giving you the opportunity to explore the extent of the commercial city of Pompeii, the fewer but better-preserved remains of the ancient town of Herculaneum and the frescoes of the Villa Oplontis in Torre Annunziata, which portray the opulent lifestyle of the wealthy classes at the beginning of the Roman Empire.

The capital of Calabria, Catanzaro is known as the City between two seas, as it is located at the narrowest point in Italy, separating the Ionian coast from the Tyrrhenian. Its origins are very ancient, in fact, legend has it that the Magna-Greek city was founded by Ulysses thanks to the unique characteristics of its territory, a crossing point along the route between East and West. Other hypotheses, however, trace the foundation of Catanzaro back to the ancient Greek colony that later became Scolacium.

A visit to Prato is a feast for the eyes, a chance to discover the city and let our minds and hands experience a wonderful, unending stream of sensations. We start our journey in Tuscany right here, in this city where every place becomes a thought and every thought becomes art, a city where every monument to the past bears witness to a history of resourcefulness and pride. Let us be guided by Curzio Malaparte's observation as we discover that "it is in Prato where everything ends: the glory, the honour, the piety, the pride, the vanity of the world".

The tip of the boot and cradle of Magna Graecia, the territory, originally known as Enotria or 'land of wine', preserves a wine heritage as vast as it is unexplored. Calabria is a region with a varied landscape: from the highest peaks of the Apennines to the Coast of the Gods. A land that boasts numerous archaeological sites and protected areas. And the many peculiarities, from the different territories to the climate, are reflected in the many flavours that the ancient food and wine tradition can provide.

Imposing, beguiling and unexpected: Lake Garda has so many different aspects when looking out over its waters from Gardone Riviera or Sirmione, Peschiera or Riva del Garda. Peaks and valleys define its perimeter, small towns on its shores interrupt the expanse of lush vegetation characterizing the area. In short, staying at Lake Garda will certainly ensure inspiration, relaxation and well-being. You will come across echoes of history, magnificent castles and delightful villas in perfect symbiosis with the contemporary world, interpreted in a thousand ways and even celebrated at table serving excellent local produce. Oil, wine and citrus fruit: here are some of the treasures of this part of Italy. It's up to you to discover all the others...

Spring is a splendid time of year on these lakes. Energizing nature, relaxing colours and mild temperatures are an invitation to an active open-air holiday with plenty to do, including sports and walks through history. Northern Italy has the three largest lakes in the Italian peninsula - the inspiration for poets, writers and musicians of all periods.

Valcamonica holds one of the largest collections of petroglyphs in the world and was the first of the Italian sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List thanks to fits timeless enchantment. The “Valley of Signs” is an unprecedented plunge into the past, and beyond. An excursion that means culture but also nature. If you head towards the North on the left side of the valley, you will come to Adamello Park. Acknowledged as a UNESCO Global Geopark, its rare geological and morphological heritage is of great scientific interest. It is home to no fewer than 1,300 different species of plants and flowers of rare beauty, numerous wild animals, both small and large, glaciers, coniferous forests and many Alpine lakes. Lastly, ski enthusiasts should put Valcamonica on their to-do list of places to visit in winter. Stopping at Ponte di Legno, you can take advantage of the fantastic slopes of the Ponte di Legno-Tonale ski area.

Tuscany, the pearl of central Italy on the beautiful Tyrrhenian coast, is a trove of unique historical treasures: from cities of art to picturesque villages, breathtaking panoramas, pastoral countryside and magnificent islands. Rich and surprising, Tuscany can enchant like few other places can.

Crystal clear waters and coasts that are still partly wild inviting countryside for those looking for relaxation away from the busy pace of the city villages nestled on ancient castles and a rich cuisine where you can find, unchanged, traditional, local food and wine. These are the things that make the Maremma so dear to Italian and foreign visitors. An ideal place for nature lovers, the Maremma is a place to discover on foot, by bike, or even better, on horseback.