Sport & Activities

Water-sports: With its incredibly beautiful coastline, 8500 kms of it, Italy is one of the world tourists’ favourite water-sport destinations for sea side holidays. Almost any water-sport you can think of is offered by all the major beach resorts. On the beach itself, you will have to pay a small fee for the use of sun lounges and deck-chairs. The Italian Riviera, a 350 km stretch, is world famous and considered a “MUST VISIT” place for all tourists. Though less often visited, 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, are equally beautiful. 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. If you are a fishing enthusiast, visit the Sardinian and Sicilian seas. River fishing is excellent in northern Italy, Umbria and Tuscany, besides the scenic beauty of these places guarantees you a perfect fishing holiday. Charter boats are available for those who prefer fishing in the sea. For Yachting visit Genoa, and Santa Margherita Ligura has canoe and small boat regattas held every July. Italy’s five major lakes near the Alps in the north – Maggiore, Lugano, Como, Iseo and Garda are popular for sailing.

Winter-sports: The Italian Alps is the place for Winter sports in Italy. Though the facilities for this type of sport lagged behind those available in the neighbouring states of France, Switzerland and Austria, the infrastructure has been recently improved and the amenities now rival, and in some cases surpass, those presented by the above countries.

The areas ideal for Winter-sports are:

1)      West of Turin: - The Piedmont region, major resorts include Bardonechia, Sauze d’Oulx and Sestriere.

2)      North: - The Aosta valley where the Courmayeur, Cervinia and La Thuile resorts are locate, and can be reached from France (via the Mont Blanc tunnel from Chamonix) or from Switzerland (via the St Bernard tunnel).

3)      The East: - This area is isolated and the region across the Swiss border has many difficult and dangerous roads.

4)      More to the East: - The Dolomites – This is again difficult driving territory but the scenery here makes it worth the drive. This is 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. 

Horse-Riding: Horse riding trips can be arranged, through your travel agent, anywhere in the scenic countryside, the hills or the green valleys of Italy. Besides this there are horse races and shows that the tourist must see and experience. The horse show in Rome is considered one of the city’s most prestigious events, and is held every year in the month of May. In February there is the Flat racing at the Campenella track.  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. The racing is held in three seasons of two months each, starting in February, May and September. Trotting races take place at the Villa Gloria track in February, June to November.
 
Cultural holidays: Those interested in imbibing themselves in culture have come to the right place by choosing to visit Italy for their holidays. Italian language and art courses are available throughout Italy, embellished with courses on cooking and architecture. Well known institutions offering a range of art courses include the Palazzo Spinelli and Università Internazionale dell’Arte in Florence; the Accademia Italia in Rome; the Centro Internazionale degli Studi per l’Insegnamento del Mosaico in Ravenna for mosaic making; and, for music courses, the Accademia Chigiana in Siena. Further information can be obtained from the Italian Cultural Institute in London (tel: (020) 7235 1461; fax: (020) 7235 4618; e-mail: ici@italcultur.org.uk; website: www.italcultur.org.uk) or the Italian State Tourist Board (see Contact Addresses section).

Other: Italy is a golfers paradise and there are courses all over the country from from Lombardy and Trentino in the north, through Tuscany and Lazio. The season in Calabria and Sardinia is extra long because of the mild climate.

Football is the countries most popular game and enthusiasts can get to see a match quite easily, almost any where in the country. Those interested in doing so can get information of the matches being played in the area from their hotel Reception Counter.

Cycling is another craze among the Italians, and the Giro d’Italia is an internationally renowned cycling race through Italy, attracting the world’s top cyclists.

A game that is endemic in both France and Italy is Bocce Bowling, especially in small villages where it is played on Sunday after High Mass.