| Watersports: Italy has some
8500km (5345 miles) of coastline and remains one of Europe’s favourite
destinations for beach holidays. Facilities such as sun loungers and deckchairs
(which are common on Italian beaches) usually attract a small charge. All
types of watersports are available at major resorts. The enduring appeal
of the Italian Riviera in Liguria (a 350km/219-mile stretch from France
to Tuscany), or of the Adriatic and Amalfi coasts, the latter known for
its steeply terraced villages clinging to a rocky coastline, is witnessed
by the ever-growing number of visitors. Less busy are the beaches on the
islands, in Sicily, which has large sandy stretches on the southern coast,
and in Sardinia, much of which is still relatively untouched. Many of Italy’s
best dive sites are located in Sardinia, and Italy’s first surfing school
is based in Mauro. Diving courses and equipment hire are also available
on the Tremiti Islands (Puglia) in the Adriatic and along the coasts of
Tuscany and Liguria. Fishing is excellent throughout Sardinian and Sicilian
waters (also renowned for their healthy lobster population), while the
rivers in northern Italy, Umbria and Tuscany can offer particularly scenic
fishing holidays. For sea fishing, private or chartered boats can be rented.
Genoa has frequent yachting regattas, as does Santa Margherita Ligura,
where a canoe and small boat regatta is held in July. Sailing is popular
on Italy’s five major lakes near the Alps in the north – Maggiore, Lugano,
Como, Iseo and Garda.
Wintersports: The skiing infrastructure
has been greatly improved in recent years, and the facilities at resorts
in the Italian Alps now rival those in neighbouring France, Switzerland
and Austria. Ski resorts can be broadly split into four geographical areas.
To the west of Turin, in the Piedmont region, major resorts include Bardonechia,
Sauze d’Oulx and Sestriere. Further north, the Aosta Valley and its main
resorts, such as Courmayeur, Cervinia and La Thuile, are easily reached
from France (via the Mont Blanc tunnel from Chamonix) or from Switzerland
(via the St Bernard tunnel). To the east, the region across the Swiss border
is fairly isolated and accessible via long, winding roads which can be
treacherous in bad weather. Driving can be equally difficult in the Dolomites,
still further east, but the beautiful scenery more than makes up for it,
helping to make this one of Italy’s prime skiing destinations; major resorts
include Cortina D’Ampezzo (Italy’s most upmarket resort), Selva/Sella Ronda
and Madonna di Campiglio. Skiing is also possible in Central Italy, in
resorts such as Abetone (Tuscany), Campo Imperatore (Abruzzo), and in several
other places in Abruzzo, down to Mount Etna in Sicily.
Horseriding: The biennial
Palio bareback horse race in Siena, held on 2 July and 16 August, draws
thousands of spectators and has been a special event since the 14th century.
One of Rome’s most prestigious events is its international horse show held
in May. There is also flat racing in February at the Capanelle track. Each
of the three seasons lasts two months, the second starting in May and the
third in September. Trotting races take place at the Villa Gloria track
in February, June to November. |
