All my outdoors…

Probably no other country in Europe has as many places where do a bike tour of Italy. Unless you plan your itinerary carefully, you may not be able to visit all the interesting places.

A bike tour package could be your best choice to visit all the “must to see” places in the shortest possible time.

What to see:

Rome is the country’s capital and consists of the Roman Forum, with its amazing array of ruined temples, the world-famous Colosseum, the Pantheon and St Peter’s Basilica.

Milan is the fashion capital of Italy. The city is also home to Leonardo’s paint the “Ultima Cena” (Last Supper); La Scala, the world’s premier opera house; and the Gothic Dome.

Venice has popular water canals with condoles. The great architectural showpiece of Venice is undoubtedly St Mark’s Square. Other highlights include the amazing Basilica di San Marco. The Doge’s Palace - the Palazzo Ducale an example of Venetian Gothic art.

The Grande Canal is, well, a grand canal with incredible houses lining it and boats putting up down this water way.

The best way to visit Venice by bike is to stand in front of your hotel or hostel, determine which direction the tourist attractions lie and start biking in the opposite direction.

The Italian lake-district juts into the heart of a steep mountain range (The Alps), surrounded by fertile farmlands and fields of gently swaying flowers.

This is a great place for tourists who would like to go hiking, windsurfing or just enjoy the magnificent landscapes. The most famous are Garda and Como lake.

When to travel:

Packages are priced differently during peak season and off-season. Hotels in Rome charge more during Christmas, New Year’s, Easter and during other religious occasions. Prices are lower during the fall and early spring, but the weather can be a bit cooler. But this is the best time to book your package if you want to enjoy low prices and face fewer crowds.

What to pack:

During the summer (July - August - September) you’ll need light clothing, but don’t forget to pack a pullover or a light jacket for the evenings when, especially at the seaside or on the mountains, the temperature might suddenly drop.

Spring (March - April - May) and Autumn (September - October - November) are characterized by unstable weather and often require a layering system of clothing.

Always bring comfortable shoes, get ready for a lot of walking: after all renaissance town were not build for cars and most city centers are closed to traffic.

Thanks to Conanil

Tuscany is one of the best tourist destinations to visit in Italy. Most tourists think that there are only museums and arts but it’s not all…

The most famous area of Tuscany is called: “The wine road”.  In this area there are 2 of the most important Tuscany’s attractions: Florence and Pisa, cities rich of historical and artistic resources.

Florence is the city where were born famous people like Leonardo, Giotto, Dante and Brunelleschi. Siena is the native land of the “Palio”, an event that every summer attracts thousand of visitors to see this medieval horse ride.

The terrain between these cities is formed by 2 parts, one called “Chianti” (typical hilly landscape easy to bike famous for its wine productions) and one called “Via Franchigena” (A medieval way used to connect Europe with Jerusalem)

Thanks to Lorenzopierini

What to see:

The main attractions to visit are Florence (the capital of Tuscany) and the Chianti Region (Radda in Chianti and Passo dei Pecorai towns).

Florence was the cradle of the Italian renaissance. Most of the sites lie in Florence’s compact historical center.

Top places worth a visit in Florence

• Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio - The heart of the historic center and a free open-air sculpture exhibit like the Michelangelo’s David. The medieval Palazzo Vecchio contains decorated public rooms and private apartments.
• The Dome also know as the “Cattedrale Santa Maria del Fiore” - It’s a Gothic building that can hold 20,000 people.
• The Baptistry of John the Baptist - Is a 11th century building. Inside, you can see some mosaics and a marble pavement of the zodiac.
• The Campinile, bell tower, is in Piazza del Duomo. It’s a 414 stairs building that offers great views of the Cathedral and its dome and the surroundings of Florence.
• The Ponte Vecchio (old bridge) -  It’s a medieval bridge that cross the Arno River.
• The Galleria degli Uffizi - It holds the world’s most important collection of Renaissance art (paintings, antique sculptures, illuminations, etc…)
• Galleria dell’ Accademia - It holds the Michelangelo’s David, probably the most famous sculpture in the world.
• Piazza Santa Croce, is the largest Franciscan church in Italy and holds the tombs of several important Florentines including Michelangelo and Dante.

Thanks to Marcoannunziata

Radda in Chianti was a feudal centre and a medieval residence from the XIII century onwards. Towards the middle of the XIII century, Florence affirmed its dominion here because of Radda’s strategic importance. Starting from 1384 it became capital of the Chianti League, as is shown by the oldest preserved statutes.

In the middle of the 1300s, on the orders of the Florentine government, the wall of the castle were reinforced, and new fortifications were needed after the Aragonese invasion in 1478 during which the Radda castle was conquered and devastated. From 1500’s Radda was principally an active agricultural centre.

Among the most important monuments to see in Radda in Chianti You can visit:

• The Pieve di San Giusto in Salcio
• The Pieve di San Polo in Rosso
• The Palazzo del Podestà
• The Convento di San Martino al Prato

Thanks to Marie_tess
Top attractions to visit in Siena:

• The Public square - It’s the heart of Siena. It’s called Piazza del Campo, a semi-circular square that met the three ancient roads that crossed the city (one from Rome, one from Florence and one from the Maremma) and towards it slope three hills on which the town extends.
• The Palio of Siena - A medieval horse race born nearly in the 1100s, held in the city streets. The starting point was Porta Romana and the finishing line was the Duomo. Now it takes place in Piazza del Campo.  Only ten contradas were permitted to take part in any Palio.
• The Dome - It’s an examples of the Italian Romanesque-gothic architecture
• The National Pinacoteque - It’s a collection of manufacts begun by Abbot Giuseppe Ciaccheri in late XVIII the century. There are roughly 700 paintings of the greatest Sienese masters and painters.
• The Museum of the Opera -  In its inside is possible to see paintings, sculptures, sacred ornaments and vestments, jewellery, and illuminated manuscripts.
• The Civic museum - The most important thing to visit is the “Sala del Mappamondo”, which hosts Simone Martini’s Maestà, the Sala della Pace and the Sala dei Nove, decorated with a series of frescoes by Ambrogio Lorenzetti.

Colle di Val d’ Elsa - lies in the heart of Tuscany, in a strategically favourable position near the towns of Siena, Florence and Volterra, on the via Francigena  way which connects Rome with the North. The history of Colle di Val d’Elsa is characterised by frequent episodes of violence.

One of the most famous of these was the battle of 1269 between the Guelphs and Ghibellines. This town is well known for its production of glass and crystal, also known as the Bohemia of Italy in the 19 century.

Volterra, one of the most important cities in the Etruscan Confederation, is an hilly town rich in alabaster, the working of which was an important industry of the city.

Worth a visit in Volterra:

• The cathedral which altar is adorned with sculpture by Mino da Fiesole and pictures like the “Annunciation” by Luca Signorelli.
• The Palazzo Tagani houses an important museum of Etruscan and Roman antiquities.

Thanks to Ccgd
Pisa is famous for the presence of the Leading tower and for the fact that here were born famous people like: Galileo Galilei; Antonio Pacinotti; Ippolito Rosellini; Giovanni Pisano; Antonio Pisanello.

Also visit:

• The Campo dei Miracoli (Piazza Duomo), one of the most famous sights in Italy and the world. Close by stands there is the world-famous Leaning Tower (bell tower, started in 1173).
• The main events like: The Regata Storica di S. Ranieri (17th June); Opera and art exhibitions at the Giardino Scatto; Regata delle Repubbliche Marinare (every four years); Galileo Galilei Award (autumn).

Benefits to cycle in Tuscany

• Breathtaking panoramas
• A travel across centuries of the history and culture of Italy
• Easy to bike paths
• Mild climate all the year
• Cities have good cycling paths

Drawbacks

• High temperatures and humidity during summer months
• Some roads could be not easy in the hills of Chianti region

Suggestions

• Choose spring or autumnal months (March to October, August excluded)
• Buy a topographic map or a GPS
• The terrain has sweet descent and climb.  70% of roads are asphalted.
• Tours recommended for those who have little experience of biking.

You’ll need this type of equipment:

• City Bike (you can rent it or carry yours)
• Water proof jacket
• Sun Cream
• Repairs for your bike
• First aid kit

Read more about Italy’s adventures:

• A relaxing tour of Italy’s adventure spots
• Guide to hiking in the Dolomites (Italian Alps)
• An adventure tour of the east coast of Sicily island in Italy
• The secrets of Sicily - Biking in the east coast
• Top 10 outdoor activities and adventure trips in Italy
• Tips To Plan An Active Travel

Thanks to Gmacorig

How can you choose the best itinerary to spend your time-travel in the best way?

The first thing is to choose what type of travel you want to do:

• adventure trip
• cultural trip
• relaxing trip

Are you an adventure traveller?

Well, the best adventure trip you can do here in Sicily is to visit volcano Etna. To spend in the best way your time you should book your accommodation in a Bed and Breakfast in Nicolosi or in Linguaglossa, two small and characteristic villages on Etna.

You can reach Linguaglossa taking A 18 Catania-Messina Highway and getting out at tollbooth of Fiumefreddo. Now you have to follow road signs to Linguaglossa.

If you decide to go to Nicolosi, the only thing you have to do is going to north Catania and follow the road signs to Nicolosi, that is very near.

The other step consist to contact an excursionist guide that will take you on the higher crater of Europe, such a little Tibet in Mediterranean sea.

But don’t forget to take with you your mountain equipment:

• hiking trousers and shoes
• thermal undershirt
• hiking hose and jacket

…considering you want to enjoy this show in winter, a very characteristics time to visit Etna, when the crater is full of snow. But the summer is a good time too, the only difference is a easier hike because the absence of snow and higher temperature.

Volcano Etna has many woods with hidden trails, and they are magical places for your hiking. But you should be careful: during your hiking you have to hear what your guide tell you about the place for your safety.

You can hike on the eruption places and admire that wild scenario. So wild that some scientists have made astronomical experiment useful for moon’s studies because the characteristics of Etna soil are similar to Lunar soil. The eruption places are in the higher points of Nicolosi, Linguaglossa, Belpasso and Zafferana, where you can admire the wonderful Bove Valley, a valley full of lava.

Your Hiking can be directed to Philosopher Tower, a high refuge seat in a place where a long time ago was attended a rudimentary construction that legend ascribes to Empedocle, a philosopher from Agrigento lived about V century a. C.

The Legend tells that he has fallen inside the crater because he felt immortal.

Well, the ancient construction was the Empedocle house for his studies. But another explanation tell us more, in fact maybe the Emperor Adriano ordered to build a refuge because he liked to Hike on Volcano Etna!

Your Hiking can now become a cultural adventure of History and Philosophy.

The classic hike is to visits the principal higher crater at 3.340 metres.

But another important thing you have to know: Volcano Etna is an important place where skiing: here are two skiing structure in Nicolosi and Linguaglossa.

Are you a cultural traveller?

The fist thing to do is choosing what kind of attraction you want to visit:

• monuments
• churches
• ancient culture

If you will be patient about Sicily all these attractions will be accessible to you.

You can begin visiting Messina and its particular Dome Church.

The second step is taking A20 Highway and get out in Cefalù to visit its Mosaics and the House where Satanist Aleister Crowley have gone in 1920. After this you can go to Palermo, the capital of Sicily to see the interesting construction style of the city.

Here you have to visit the Norman Palace, the seat of Sicilian Parliament; the many theatres attend in the city; the characteristics market of Vucciria. At least, if you will go there in Summer, on the 15 July there is the S. Rosalia Festivity.

Another beautiful place near Palermo is Monreale. It is known because its ancient Dome: in fact it was made around XII century.

To complete the west Sicily you can’t lose the Greek show of Segesta, with its Doric Temple made around V a. C. and the Greek theatre. If you want to remain in the same Greek atmosphere, it is sure you will enjoy seeing Agrigento and its magic Temples Valley. You can arrive here taking SS 189 Palermo-Agrigento.

Porto Empedocle is attached to Agrigento, and it is the native place of the Philosopher Empedocle and of the Writer Luigi Pirandello: here you can visits its House Museum where you can see the exhibition of his school report.

The next historic place is Syracuse, reachable taking SS 115. In this site you will find another ancient scenario: Apollo temple, Greek theatre where have place INDA shows (National Institute for Ancient Drama ) and Roman Amphitheatre used for gladiators fights.

Another important thing is the beautifulness of Ortigia, an island inside the hearth of the City, famous because of its particular construction characterized of white colour of plaster. This side is famous all over the world and it is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites together with Pantalica Necropolis, an archaeological side near Syracuse.

Going to North you will arrive in Catania, the second City of Sicily after Palermo.

You should visit the Dome where is S. Agata Cathedral and the statue of Elephant, the symbol of the City called Liotru.

From the Dome you can go to Ursino Castle, a construction made around XIII century.

If you remain in the centre of the city you can visit Monastery of Benedictine and the Ursino-Recupero Library which contains very old Books. In the back of this monuments you can find S. Nicola Church that is the bigger one of Catania.

Inside it you can admire a fantastic show because its ancient age, the Meridian and the Graves of soldier dead during World War II.

In the neighbourhoods there are Houses Museum of the Musician Vincenzo Bellini and the Writer Giovanni Verga. In the same place you can find Greek theatre and Stesicoro square, where you will see the ancient city underground.

Missed is the Via Etnea Street, a long way that rise up until the higher point of the city from which you can go to Etna. If you go in Catania on the 5th February you can see the folklore of S. Agata Festivity.

Then you are ending your circle and you should visit Taormina, sitting on a little hill where you can enjoy a wonderful landscape.

Are you a relaxing traveller?

Well, now I ask you a question: do you know how many tourists came here in Sicily for holiday? Japanese, Germans, English, French, American, Canadians and other people from all over the world are happy to spend their relaxing time here in Sicily.

A tourist can visits our beautiful beaches: Playa of Catania, Mondello in Palermo, Marina di Ragusa in Ragusa, Fontanebianche in Syracuse, Taormina near Messina.

But also the Sicily Nights offer some interesting thing, in fact you can live leisure of Nights of Catania full of Discos, Pub and Restaurant where you can taste the food of Sicily: Cannoli, Pistacchio, horse meat, Norma pasta, pizza.

Many Pubs or Disco are at the playa beach: after having dinner or having a dance you can have a swim in the Jonio Sea in the night.

If you want a night with magic landscapes go to Taormina, and you can observe from the central square the enlightened coast by a telescope just paying one euro.

Your relax can continue with a walk on the villages near Catania: Acicastello, with its Norman Castle, and Acireale with its beautiful Dome.

Read More:

• How to live an adventure vacation in the south of Italy
• How to stay adventurous in Sicily

Thanks to Garibaldi

Most tourists think that Italy is only churches, museums, art, etc…, but most people don’t know that in its territory you can find a lot of natural parks, hills, tracks and mountains.

There are a lot of outdoor recreation activities to practice: Hiking, Mountain Biking or Skiing.

Here the “Top 10″ regions:

1. Liguria, where practice hiking trips in the Cinque terre
2. Lombardy,where bicycle around the lakes district: Garda and Como lake
3. Trentino, where trekking the Dolomites mountains in the Alps
4. Veneto, where join a walking tour of Venice
5. Emilia Romagna, where cycle the Chianti hills and the Modenese Appenine
6. Tuscany, where bicycling in the wine regions and visit Siena and Florence
7. Campania, where visit the Amalfi coast and Naples
8. Umbria, with the Trasimeno lake and Perugia
9. Lazio and Rome
10. Apulia, where bike the Gargano park.

The list should be longer but it contains all the best.

If you want to plan your adventure vacation, you’ll need to do it right.

While searching be sure to know:

• Weather conditions. (Weather is very important. The best period goes from March to October)
• Know the terrain. (You can control on Google maps)
• Know Emergency and safety info.

Now you know exactly how to plan a vacation and where to live it.

Read more:

• Bicycle Italy
• Walking Italy
• Tuscany Bike
• Tuscany Walking
• Hiking Dolomites
• Sicily Bike