ACTIVITIES
Beaches
The Italian coast is very popular among tourists and locals. It is famous for beautiful beaches. Many beaches are private and an admission fee has to be paid. Free beaches (spiaggia libera), on the other hand, are usually crowded. Nevertheless, it shouldn’t be difficult to find a perfect beach for sunbathing, water sports or building sandcastles. Everyone will find a place that suits their needs. As far as cleanliness and safety are concerned, in 2008 over 100 Italian beaches were awarded a Blue Flag.
Sightseeing
Italy has dozens of tourist attractions. It the country famous for olive oil, mafia, pasta, wine, etc. In fact, every city is worth visiting for its unique atmosphere, ancient sights or architecture. The cities in the north are known for beautiful architecture, Venice as the city of water and bridges, Tuscany for wines and astonishing landscapes, Rome as the cradle of European civilization, Sicily as a multicultural and cosmopolitan island. Thus, no matter which region of Italy one will choose for their holiday destination, there will be plenty of interesting sites to discover.
Hiking/Walking
Italy is a mountainous country that boasts beautiful landscapes. Thus, hiking tour is a great way to explore the country and to combine sightseeing with contact with nature. The most popular trails are located in Liguria, Tuscany and Umbria. Not all of the trails are well-marked so a good map is a must for every traveller.
Skiing
The northern part of Italy is an extremely popular destination for skiers. The resorts in Alpine regions offer great winter sports facilities and heavy snowfall almost all year round. However, skiing is possible in other parts of peninsula as well (e.g. in the central Italy, in Sicily). The most popular ski resorts in Italy include La Thuile, Courmayeur, Chamonix, Piancavallo and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Water sports
Italy is not only a paradise for winter sports lovers but also for water sports enthusiasts. One can enjoy all types of water sports: sailing, diving, waterskiing, windsurfing, diving, snorkeling, etc. But it is also possible to practice more unconventional water sports such as water basketball or motorboat racing.
Fishing
Italy offers fantastic fishing opportunities. Sea fishing in Italy does not require any licence. However, freshwater fishing requires a permit which could be obtained from the local authorities at the Fishing and Hunting Department. Foreigners should buy a license tipo D that costs 20 euro and is valid for 3 months. It is prohibited to fish in the restricted areas and during a forbidden period.
Rock climbing
Rock climbing is possible in every region of Italy but some of the best destinations include the Dolomites, around Naples, Sardinia and Sicily. There are dozens of routes for beginners and advanced climbers.
Nightlife
Italy can boast an extremely vibrant nightlife. In the evening cars, cafes and restaurants are full of old and young, singles and couples. In major cities there also many clubs and discos playing various types of music: from techno to hip hop. Some bars have live music, usually jazz or blues. Another idea for spending an evening in Italy is to visit a casino, a cinema or a theatre.
Others
Besides the activities mentioned above, there dozens of other ways of spending your free time such as cycling, playing golf, horse riding or just enjoying the unique Italian atmosphere.
