{"id":7799,"date":"2015-08-07T10:08:33","date_gmt":"2015-08-07T08:08:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/walks.friday.ie\/?p=7799"},"modified":"2023-02-16T16:19:19","modified_gmt":"2023-02-16T16:19:19","slug":"a-guide-to-our-favorite-outdoor-adventures-in-italy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/a-guide-to-our-favorite-outdoor-adventures-in-italy","title":{"rendered":"A Guide to Our Favorite Outdoor Adventures In Italy"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Italy has all the\u00a0art, architecture and history that a traveler could want. But many travelers don&#8217;t know that\u00a0it&#8217;s also a paradise for outdoor lovers \u2013 If you&#8217;re looking for a mix of culture and action, or just a full-on adrenaline-filled vacation, here are some of our favorite outdoor adventures in Italy.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/a-guide-to-our-favorite-outdoor-adventures-in-italy\/#Land\" >Land<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/a-guide-to-our-favorite-outdoor-adventures-in-italy\/#Hiking_in_the_Dolomites\" >Hiking in the Dolomites<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/a-guide-to-our-favorite-outdoor-adventures-in-italy\/#Camping_in_Puglia\" >Camping in Puglia<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/a-guide-to-our-favorite-outdoor-adventures-in-italy\/#Cycling_in_Tuscany\" >Cycling in Tuscany<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/a-guide-to-our-favorite-outdoor-adventures-in-italy\/#Mountain_biking_in_Abruzzo_and_Molise\" >Mountain biking in Abruzzo and Molise<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/a-guide-to-our-favorite-outdoor-adventures-in-italy\/#Skiing_in_Val_dAosta\" >Skiing in Val d\u2019Aosta<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/a-guide-to-our-favorite-outdoor-adventures-in-italy\/#Cave_exploring_in_Le_Marche\" >Cave exploring in Le Marche<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/a-guide-to-our-favorite-outdoor-adventures-in-italy\/#Water\" >Water<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/a-guide-to-our-favorite-outdoor-adventures-in-italy\/#Scuba_diving_off_Capri\" >Scuba diving off Capri<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/a-guide-to-our-favorite-outdoor-adventures-in-italy\/#Snorkeling_in_Sicily\" >Snorkeling in Sicily<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/a-guide-to-our-favorite-outdoor-adventures-in-italy\/#Sea-Kayaking_off_Elba_Island\" >Sea-Kayaking off Elba Island<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/a-guide-to-our-favorite-outdoor-adventures-in-italy\/#Sailing_off_Sardinia\" >Sailing off Sardinia<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/a-guide-to-our-favorite-outdoor-adventures-in-italy\/#Wind-Surfing_on_Lake_Garda\" >Wind-Surfing on Lake Garda<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/a-guide-to-our-favorite-outdoor-adventures-in-italy\/#Air\" >Air<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/a-guide-to-our-favorite-outdoor-adventures-in-italy\/#Heli-skiing_in_Piedmont\" >Heli-skiing in Piedmont<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/a-guide-to-our-favorite-outdoor-adventures-in-italy\/#Hang_gliding_in_Umbria\" >Hang gliding in Umbria<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/a-guide-to-our-favorite-outdoor-adventures-in-italy\/#Paragliding_in_Veneto\" >Paragliding in Veneto<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Land\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>Land<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Hiking_in_the_Dolomites\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Hiking in the Dolomites<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_7801\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/3743632953_518b12724a_z.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7801\" class=\"wp-image-7801\" src=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/3743632953_518b12724a_z.jpg\" alt=\"Photo by Rick McCharles\" width=\"600\" height=\"373\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-7801\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Many come to hike the Five Towers (shown here) where there is now an open-air war museum for WWI.\u00a0Photo by Rick McCharles<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Dolomites are an adventurer\u2019s best friend. In these dramatic mountains\u00a0you can ski, snowboard, parasail, raft, kayak, mountain bike, and cycle, among other things. But by far the best and most accessible adventure in the Dolomites is\u00a0good ol&#8217;\u00a0walking. Hiking\u00a0in the Dolomites can be as easy, or as wildly difficult as you want. For those really looking to shake things up, try braving the <em>via ferrata,<\/em> or &#8220;iron way,&#8221; the original World War I mountain routes made with iron cables, bridges and ladders. Unless you are a seasoned veteran, the <em>via ferrata\u00a0<\/em>are best approached with a guide &#8211; they are one of the most stunning, but also stomach tingling\u00a0adventures in Italy.\u00a0(Read our Guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/all-around-italy\/hiking-in-italy\">Hiking in Italy<\/a> for more great hiking locations!)<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Camping_in_Puglia\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Camping in Puglia<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Camping is a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.transitionsabroad.com\/publications\/magazine\/0403\/affording_italy.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">great way for budget travelers to see Italy<\/a>. It\u2019s also downright fun. Called &#8220;<em>campeggio&#8221;\u00a0<\/em>in Italian, camping sites are available in nearly ever part of Italy. For the sake of diversity, we suggest camping in Lecce, Puglia, in southern Italy. Here you can find sea and forest in the large Riva di Ugento campsite. For those who don\u2019t want to rough it too much, campers or mobile homes are available, bathrooms are available for all and there is a nearby supermarket and tennis courts. Any time of year, but especially in the off-season, your tent and hammock will seem like the front porch of paradise.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cycling_in_Tuscany\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Cycling in Tuscany<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Cycling in Tuscany is a favorite activity of visitors to the beautiful region and it\u2019s easy to see why! The sun kissed hills and small, carless cities are a perfect invitation to cycle. Take a wine tour by bike or go it alone to link UNESCO world-heritage listed cities like Florence, Siena, San Gimignano and Pienza. Just keep in mind that the hills might seem undulating from the car, but on two wheels you\u2019ll feel those ascents much more!<\/span><\/p>\n<p>(If you&#8217;d prefer to visit some some of those towns in a more, ahem, relaxed manner, check out out <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/tuscany-tours\">Tuscan day trips with air conditioned vehicle transfers<\/a>.)<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">For those looking for something a bit easier, head to the bike paths along the Adige river in Veneto. Running from the Austrian border all the way to Verona, the paths connect between major cities like Venice, Verona, Mantua and the beautiful Lago di Garda and most are traffic-free.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mountain_biking_in_Abruzzo_and_Molise\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Mountain biking in Abruzzo and Molise<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Dolomites have by far the most extreme mountain biking in Italy, but for those looking for great trails, fewer crowds and beautiful scenery complete with plenty of wildlife, try mountain biking in the Apennine Mountains. Here you can explore the\u00a0little-known region of Molise and neighboring Abruzzo in central Italy. Green, beautiful and still quite rustic, these two regions in the center of Italy will give you a glimpse of a different style of Italian life, one still dictated by nature and less visited by tourists and Italians alike. Surrounded by the Apennines, Abruzzo hosts some of Italy\u2019s wildest terrain and little Molise isn\u2019t much tamer, just\u00a0less-visited. Try biking the plateaus and trails in Abruzzo National Park or the famous <em>tratture <\/em>paths, or shepherd paths, in Molise.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Skiing_in_Val_dAosta\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Skiing in Val d\u2019Aosta<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_6365\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/216676532_8898091e68_o-1.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6365\" class=\"wp-image-6365\" src=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/216676532_8898091e68_o-1.jpg\" alt=\"Quaint Alagna is perfect for powder-loving freeriders! Photo credit: Dirk Groeger\" width=\"600\" height=\"563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/216676532_8898091e68_o-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/216676532_8898091e68_o-1-768x721.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-6365\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Quaint Alagna is perfect for powder-loving freeriders!<br \/>Photo credit: Dirk Groeger<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">At 3,500 meters of altitude, Cervinia in Val d\u2019Aosta is one of the highest mountain resorts in Italy and <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/ski-in-italy\">one of our favorite skiing locations<\/a>! It\u2019s often the first mountain to get snow and the last to end the season. Cervinia offers a top-of-the-line resort town with reasonable prices. In fact, it uses the same mountains as Zermatt across the border in Switzerland but for much cheaper prices. For those looking for a bit more Adventure in Italy, Alagna Valsesia in Monterosa Ski offers excellent off-piste skiing and well as heli-skiing\u00a0with the beautiful Monte Bianco\u00a0(Mont Blanc) as a backdrop.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cave_exploring_in_Le_Marche\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Cave exploring in Le Marche<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The little-explored Le Marche region of Italy is an outdoor enthusiasts dream and home to some of the best adventures in Italy. As stated above with the Apennine mountains, visitors can hike, ski in the winter, mountain bike, and explore \u2013 all in one region. But one of the most unique draws to the region is the Grotte di Frasassi, some of Italy\u2019s most spectacular caves. Explore the stalactite and stalagmite formations in the multiple underground caverns. One is so large that Milan\u2019s enormous cathedral (the fifth largest church in the world) could fit inside! <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Otherwise, head to nearby Umbria in the Monte Cucco Park to explore the Grotta di Monte Cucco, one of the world\u2019s deepest cave systems. The entrance starts with a very-vertical set of stairs on a 27-meter drop into the cave. Once inside, you can tour the three major caverns, the Cattedrale, Sala Margherita and Sala del Becco.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Water\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>Water<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Scuba_diving_off_Capri\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Scuba diving off Capri<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_2332\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/The-Faraglioni-in-Capri-famous-seaside-rock-formations.-View-of-the-coastline-of-the-island-of-Capri-Amalfi-Coast-Italy1.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2332\" class=\"wp-image-2332\" src=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/The-Faraglioni-in-Capri-famous-seaside-rock-formations.-View-of-the-coastline-of-the-island-of-Capri-Amalfi-Coast-Italy1.jpg\" alt=\"Explore the famous rock formations of Capri, in the Bay of Naples\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/The-Faraglioni-in-Capri-famous-seaside-rock-formations.-View-of-the-coastline-of-the-island-of-Capri-Amalfi-Coast-Italy1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/The-Faraglioni-in-Capri-famous-seaside-rock-formations.-View-of-the-coastline-of-the-island-of-Capri-Amalfi-Coast-Italy1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2332\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Explore the famous rock formations of Capri, in the Bay of Naples<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Head to Capri to dive one of Italy\u2019s best known sea caves, the Grotta Azzurra or Blue Grotto. Glowing with iridescent blue light, the grotto has attracted visitors since the ancient Romans. The entire Cilento Peninsula, just south of Positano is filled with peaceful coves and grottos, including the Grotta d\u2019Argento (Silver Grotto), Grotta del Sangue (Blood Grotto) and the Lantern Cove, or Cala della Lanterna. For those on Capri, after the Grotta Azzurra, head to the tiny island of Procida for some peace from the crowds and an incredible dive from the Lingua beach.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>If you want to visit Capri on a guided tour, check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/pompeii-tours\/day-tours-from-sorrento-capri-boat-tours\"><strong>partner tour to Capri.<\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Snorkeling_in_Sicily\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Snorkeling in Sicily<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sicily and the Aeolian Islands have pristine waters, plenty of fish and even more nooks and crannies to explore than the Amalfi Coast. Surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, snorkelers can explore all three sides of the island. There&#8217;s also another sea cave, the Grotto Azzurra of Taormina, Sicily. A short boat ride from the shore, it\u2019s not yet overwhelmed by tourists. Wherever you ultimately decide to snorkel, you\u2019re sure to find multi-colored algae, sea sponges, red coral in deep areas and all kinds of fish.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sea-Kayaking_off_Elba_Island\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Sea-Kayaking off Elba Island<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_6933\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/IMG_2851.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6933\" class=\"wp-image-6933\" src=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/IMG_2851-1024x764.jpg\" alt=\"If you\u2019re up to the task you can even find the secret black rock beach! But don\u2019t worry, there are plenty of sandy beaches to choose from with easier access. Photo by Gina Mussio \" width=\"600\" height=\"448\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-6933\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">If you\u2019re up to the task you can even find the secret black rock beach! But don\u2019t worry, there are plenty of sandy beaches to choose from with easier access. Photo by Gina Mussio<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The largest and most popular island in the Tuscan Archipelago, Elba attracts thousands of visitors every year for its beaches, snorkeling and manageable size. The best way to see the island, however, might just be from the sea. Located in the Tuscan Archipelago National Park, a protected maritime area, the flora and fauna are gorgeous in Elba and worth seeing up close. With 147 kilometers of coastline to explore, kayakers can paddle\u00a0the tranquil seas\u00a0and stop off at the beach. Did we mention\u00a0all the inlets and caves in between?<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sailing_off_Sardinia\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Sailing off Sardinia<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_7804\" style=\"width: 650px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/15552885430_a52a752386_z.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7804\" class=\"size-full wp-image-7804\" src=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/15552885430_a52a752386_z.jpg\" alt=\"Sailing in Sardinia means catching evening views like this one! Photo by Alessandro Caproni\" width=\"640\" height=\"394\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-7804\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sailing in Sardinia means catching evening views like this one! Photo by Alessandro Caproni<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sardinia has some of the best sailing in the world. With bays, coves, crags and beaches, you\u2019ll never tire of the scenery. Though Italian sailors flock to Sardinia every summer, foreign sailors often sail elsewhere, meaning things rarely get too crowded. Tour the beautiful Costa Smerelda, check out the dunes of Costa Verde, and roll in the pink coral sand of Budelli Island. There\u2019s no doubt that Sardinia is a beautiful island, and from the water it\u2019s even more majestic.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wind-Surfing_on_Lake_Garda\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Wind-Surfing on Lake Garda<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The enormous Lake Garda is not only a beautiful vacation spot, it&#8217;s a prime wind-surfing location because of its non-stop winds. The wind known as the <em>Pel\u00e9r<\/em> blows from north to south in the early morning while the <em>Ora<\/em> blows from south to north in the early afternoon until evening. Head to the northern part of the lake for the best wind surfing and join the dozens of other people already out there \u2013 there are plenty of windsurf centers dotting the coastline to choose from!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Air\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>Air<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Heli-skiing_in_Piedmont\"><\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Heli-skiing in Piedmont<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_7806\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/181685610_0f50a88538_z.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7806\" class=\"wp-image-7806\" src=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/181685610_0f50a88538_z.jpg\" alt=\"Photo by Dirk Groeger\" width=\"600\" height=\"384\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-7806\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Though heli-skiing is illegal in many areas in Switzerland and Austria, Italy still has many options available. Photo by Dirk Groeger<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Probably the best heli-skiing in all of Italy is the Monterosa ski park heli-skiing complex. Many of the drop zones are above 4,000m and just a few minutes&#8217; helicopter ride away. Sign up for a three-day program complete with avalanche training and a guide and then get started at Alagna.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Hang_gliding_in_Umbria\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Hang gliding in Umbria<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you want your adventures in Italy to take you off terra firma completely, you&#8217;ve got to try hang gliding. \u00a0And what better place to calmly fly over than the rolling hills of Umbria? Head to Castelluccio, the highest village in the Apennines and find one of the many hang gliding schools located there. Soar over the hills in the springtime when the entire region seems to burst into blooming flowers.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Paragliding_in_Veneto\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Paragliding in Veneto<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_7803\" style=\"width: 650px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/7833241624_365ed5e4c9_z1.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7803\" class=\"size-full wp-image-7803\" src=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/7833241624_365ed5e4c9_z1.jpg\" alt=\"Photo by Paolo Trabattoni\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-7803\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">See Italy like you haven&#8217;t seen it before \u2013 from the air!\u00a0Photo by Paolo Trabattoni<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You can paraglide all over Italy\u00a0\u2013 in the footholds of the Alps along Lago di Como, over the beautiful Sicilian coastlines for water lovers, and also over the rolling, never-ending hills of Umbria. But head to Veneto for the widest variety of options. Paragliders in the region can choose to fly over beautiful Lake Garda, to look down on the jagged, pink-hued Dolomites from Cortina d\u2019Ampezzo, or soar over the region from Monte Grappa. The peak is protected from northern winds, so flyers can be nearly sure to find ideal weather conditions. There you\u2019ll fly over the Brenta Valley as far as the Slovenian border.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>Have you been on your own Adventures in Italy? We&#8217;d love to hear about them in the comments!<\/em><\/p>\n<div style=\"display: none;\">\n<div><a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/all-around-italy\/a-guide-to-our-favorite-outdoor-adventures-in-italy\/attachment\/add-subtitle-text\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-7978\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-7978\" src=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Add-subtitle-text-410x1024.jpg\" alt=\"The best adventures in Italy are waiting for you. Click through to find out where to go to enjoy Italy's stunning landscape and get your adrenaline pumping.\" width=\"410\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div style=\"display: none;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-7978\" src=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Add-subtitle-text-410x1024.jpg\" alt=\"The best adventures in Italy are waiting for you. Click through to find out where to go to enjoy Italy's stunning landscape and get your adrenaline pumping. \" width=\"410\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Italy has all the\u00a0art, architecture and history that a traveler could want. But many travelers don&#8217;t know that\u00a0it&#8217;s also a paradise for outdoor lovers \u2013 If you&#8217;re looking for a mix of culture and action, or just a full-on adrenaline-filled vacation, here are some of our favorite outdoor adventures in Italy. Land Hiking in the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":40,"featured_media":7801,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[20,106,63],"ppma_author":[161],"class_list":["post-7799","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-things-to-do","tag-attractions","tag-hiking","tag-trip-planning"],"authors":[{"term_id":161,"user_id":40,"is_guest":0,"slug":"ginamussio","display_name":"Gina Mussio","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d9497ce1b0417babd82886ad23b18998?s=96&d=mm&r=g","user_url":"","last_name":"Mussio","first_name":"Gina","job_title":"","description":"Gina is a Midwesterner living in Lombardy, Italy where she writes about Italian culture, travel and food. She is a bilingual primary school teacher by day, forever interested in developing cross-culture communication skills across languages. Gina loves touring Italy's beautiful and tiny borghi with her family and exploring Italy's culture through its culinary history."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7799"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/40"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7799"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7799\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16306,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7799\/revisions\/16306"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7801"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7799"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7799"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7799"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=7799"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}