Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Plan Your Trip
Outdoor Experiences
Blessed with mountains, lakes and 7600km of coastline, Italy is like
one giant, pulse-racing playground. Whether you're after adrenalin-
piquing skiing in the Alps; hard-core hiking in Sardinia; white-water
rafting in Calabria, or low-key cycling through Piedmont, Madre
Natura (Mother Nature) has you covered.
Best Experiences
Hiking
The Dolomites, Piedmont's Gran Paradiso, Trentino's Stelvio and Calabria's Pollino parks, Umbria's
Piano Grande and the coastal tracks of the Cinque Terre, the Amalfi Coast, Sicily and Sardinia.
Cycling
Try the Po Delta and Bolzano, the wine regions of Franciacorta, Barolo, Barbaresco and Chianti. Urban
options include Rome's Via Appia Antica, Ferrara, Lucca, Bologna and Lecce.
Skiing
Cross-border skiing into Slovenia at Sella Nevea; skiing and snowboarding in Courmayeur; downhill
and cross-country skiing in Cortina d'Ampezzo, the Valle d'Aosta and Sella Ronda.
Diving
The best marine parks are off the Cinque Terre, the Gargano Promontory, Elba, the Sorrento Peninsula,
the Aeolian Islands, Ustica and Sardinia.
Best Times to Go
April to June
Walk among wildflowers.
July & September
Water sports and warm-water diving without the August crowds.
December, February & March
The best ski months for atmosphere (Christmas), snow and value re-
spectively.
