Emilia-Romagna is in the Northern Italy, placed between Lombardy and Tuscany and one of its boundaries is the Adriatic Sea. This Italian region is one of the most developed regions of Italy from different points of view such as economic, cultural, gastronomic and touristic. It’s in Emilia-Romagna where famous Italian brands such as Barilla, Maserati, Ferrari or Ducati have their headquarters. It’s in this region where Parmigiano is produced and wine such as San Giovese is created to enjoy every dinner. Moreover Emilia-Romagna is the region where the playful Riviera Romagnola is.

Riviera Romagnola (Rimini), Emilia-Romagna, Italy by

This coast is well known by Italian people for their weekend outdoors and as the perfect place to go if they want to have some fun. In fact here you can find many different coast cities one next to each other where the most famous are Rimini, Riccione, Bellaria-Igea Marina and Misano Adriatico. These cities offer a wide range of golden beaches, restaurants with typical dishes, events, good hotels and a lot of different options to live a wonderful holiday at every age following your passions.

Most of young people find in Riviera Romagnola the perfect place to take a holiday breakaway with sunbathing, nightlife in the most beautiful discotheques of Italy and a lot of live concerts for free in café or in public square. Sportive travelers can find the perfect place to visit the famous Imola and Misano circuits where celebrities such as Valentino Rossi trained and raced with their motorbikes. If they are not keen on motors they can benefit of wonderful bike itineraries to discover the green and characteristic backcountry and take the best photographs of Italy. Families can find in Riviera Romagnola a lot of services also on the beach to make the kids have fun in a safe place and parents have some relaxing hours in wellness centers or at the seaside.

Oltremare in Riccione (theme park and dolphins arena), Italy by ItaliaABC

On the other side all the Italian food lovers can taste the best of Italian dishes such as Piadina, tortellini, lasagna and tagliatelle made by traditional Sfogline (women who prepare pasta in the most traditional and Emilian way). Never forget that great Italian chef started their career here in Romagna to learn how to do great pasta just from flour and water.

Plan your holiday in Riviera Romagnola it’s also really convenient: this region is well known by Italians for the great hospitality that people have and all the hotels have a certain look and feel that makes you always feel like you’re in a top venue but paying a smart price. For this reason, if you plan your vacation in Riviera you can also screen some three stars hotels because most of them have a good mix of services for all the family, a private access to the beach and a staff that can speak English, French and German without problem and make you feel like you’re home. People here also have the tradition to make you discover the best corners of their cities and the history of it helping you to plan a daily itinerary based on your needs and hobbies.

Talking about the cost of fun you will also discover that Riviera Romagnola is cheaper than other Italian cities because here the cultural nightlife is something that hosts sometimes include in holiday packages or take in consideration seriously. In fact in July all the Riviera Romagnola cities every year organize a big event called Notte Rosa (Pink night) that take place simultaneously on a weekend. It’s a big party where all the “guests” wear a pink accessory to be part of it and celebrate all night long attending free concerts in every corner of the cities and have fun in all the shops, café of the coast and watching fireworks.

Beach games Bellaria-Igea Marina by Albino Di Lieto

In wintertime Riviera Romagnola is particularly warm and can offer a lot of good places to taste great Italian food, museum to visit and many other activities to play sport or have a cultural trip.

If you take a trip to Riviera Romagnola or Emilia-Romagna you will come back with great memories and the feeling you discovered an old friend you can’t wait to see again.

Bio
Valentina is an Italian weekend traveler who enjoys low cost trip all around Europe and take street photography of unique places. Recently she traveled to London in UK and Igea Marina in Italy.

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Beach in Sicily, Italy / photo by admin

1. Ostia

Ostia is about thirty minutes from Rome by train, and is one of the most popular summer day trips for Roman citizens. Three miles of golden sand is bordered by the Paolo Toscanelli boulevard; a great place for you to stroll down, popping into the cafes and restaurants for bite to eat. The beautiful beach is divided up into public and private areas- you can access the private for a fee; these beaches are usually less crowded with better facilities. If you’re tired of the sun, check out the Roman ruins or the historic port of Ostia Antica.

2. Nettuno

Slightly further from Rome is the bay of Nettuno. Easily accessible on foot, the sea esplanade leads to modern Nettuno; whereas the older ‘Il Borgo’ part is located near the town centre. Il Borgo contains some of the Amalfi coast’s best restaurants, with a beautiful view over the port area. Live music and other activities take place over the summer on the esplanade and the marina. The best small beach is the Spiaggia le Sirene.

3. Santa Marinella

It’s just a quick train ride from the Rome Termini station, (only 45 minutes) to this picturesque beach commune. The clean Mediterranean sand and crystal waters attract many locals, so this isn’t the place to go if you’re looking for privacy and seclusion! Adding to the allure, one of Italy’s most famous seafood restaurants – L’Acqua Marina – is located only ten minutes away.

4. Sperlonga

When you need a break from the history, consider Sperlonga. Although it’s two and a half hours from Rome, the journey is definitely worth it when you see the stunning pale sandy crescent and open ocean view. The beach is well-developed, with all facilities within easy reach; and the local eateries serve everything from fish and chips to authentic Italian cuisine. Some places will even deliver food direct to your beach towel!

5. Santa Severa

With the officially-recognized cleanest waters around Rome, this beach is easy to get to from Rome by bus or train. In addition to the pristine sand, there’s a nature reserve located on a nearby headland; as well as a naturally formed cave system once used as a hiding place by slaves.

Whether you’re renting one of the Rome apartments or staying in an Amalfi coastline villa; visiting a local beach is the perfect way to finish off your summer vacation. Make sure you leave early to grab that prime spot on the sand!

Next time you are heading over to Europe, why not rent one of the apartments in Rome from Worldwide Accom.There are many within the city centre, close to the metro stops as well, meaning you can easily hop on the metro to all the attractions or even to the beach.

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Mediterranean Sea / Photo by admin

Spain

Since its days as a Roman outpost, Spain was a Moorish settlement before evolving into the contemporary European country it is today. Its historic sites celebrate the full breadth of its heritage, but none captures its Moorish past more than the breathtaking, Andalucia. On the left bank of the River Darro and occupying a strategic hilltop overlooking the city of Granada, this breathtaking palace and fortress complex was constructed during the mid 14th century by the Berber rulers of the Emirate of Granada. The Moorish architecture, shady courtyards and beautiful gardens, with views of the Sierra Nevada mountains have visitors from around the world flocking there on a daily basis. The areas open to the public are the Alcazaba, the Nasrid Palaces, the Mosque baths and the Generalife gardens. Since entrance is strictly controlled, visitors should purchase tickets in advance, to avoid disappointment. To arrive in Granada and not be able to visit the Alhambra, would be a tragedy.

France

Languedoc Roussillon in southern France has one of the most well preserved Roman aqueducts in existence. The 1st century Pont du Gard is just part of an extensive water system designed to carry water from the River Eure to Nimes, some 30 miles away. The half mile long and 165 feet high tri-level aqueduct was originally constructed without the use of mortar, and its stones are held together with iron clamps. The stones, some of which weigh more than six tons, were hoisted into place by a human-powered treadmill block and tackle winch. The aqueduct was restored during the 18th century, and visitors today can now walk across it.

Italy

Known as the “Eternal city,” no visit to Italy is complete without a visit to Rome, which abounds with historical sites, Roman architecture and masterpieces of art, spanning the different historical layers which have built this amazing city through the centuries, from the remains of the Roman empire, through the Medieval and Renaissance periods to the modern day site of 21st century architectural statements. The city’s quintessential spectacle has to be the, commissioned by Vespasian in 72 A.D. and inaugurated by Titus in 80 A.D. Elliptical in shape, its 76 entrances allowed 50,000 spectators to enter and watch gladiatorial battles. Built from brick and concrete, and faced with travertine and marble, the amphitheatre boasts three levels of arcades in Doric, Ionic and Corinthian styles. The Coliseum deteriorated into little more than ruins, until 1750 when it was saved by Pope Benedict XIV, who declared “this is a holy place, where Christian martyrs’ blood was shed..”

Greece

Athens may be a modern day nightmare when it comes to traffic and getting around, but this should not deter visitors from seeking out the Acropolis, atop of which sits the Parthenon, commonly known as the Temple of Athena. Constructed between 447-432 BCE, the Doric temple was dedicated to the goddess Athena, also known as Parthenos (virgin) and housed a monumental statue of her which was made from gold and ivory by Pheidias. Mathematicians will be interested to learn that with eight columns at the front and seventeen columns at the flank, the temple conforms to the ratio of 9:4, which its builders used to govern the vertical and horizontal proportions of not only the temple structure, but many other proportions within it, such as the height of the columns and the space between them.

Israel

History and archaeology lovers, as well as pilgrims from around the world have plenty of sites to visit in Israel. One of the most visited is the fortress of Massada, built in 30 BCE by King Herod. It sits on top of a steep mountain overlooking the desert to the west and the Dead Sea and Jordan to the east. At the start of the revolt against Rome in 68 BCE, Massada was conquered by a group of Jewish zealots and was to become their final stronghold, before the Romans besieged the fortress, having constructed an earthen rampart on the western side of the mountain. Built on three rock terraces, the most impressive structures still standing are Herod’s northern palace, a large bath house with a mosaic floor and walls decorated with murals.

Egypt

The oldest and only of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World to remain largely intact, the Great Pyramid of Giza is the largest of the three pyramids in the Giza Necropolis. Built as a tomb for fourth dynasty Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu, over a 20-year period from around 2540 BCE, the pyramid, which originally stood 480 feet tall, and comprises more than 2.3 million stone blocks weighing two and a half tons each, remains an amazing feat of construction that still has engineers, archeologists and scholars in awe of its magnitude. Erosion has reduced the pyramid by around 30 feet in height, but it remained the tallest man-made structure for 3,800 years.

Hannah writes for medwelcome.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Michael from Minnesota

Giglio offers beautiful beaches and numerous bays for a relaxing holiday, far away from the hustle and bustle. Its untouched nature is ideal for hiking and crystal clear sea with rich marine life is ideal for snorkeling and diving.

If you would like to spend your holidays on a beach with golden sands and wild nature around, then you should come here and look for Spiagga delle Caldana, which will be the right place for you. Located south of the vibrant beach Cannelle, the beach of Caldana is really a “precious jewel”, which is accessible only by boat. If you want to visit the beach during a round trip by car to Italy, it is better to park your car at the Tuscan mainland. Access of tourists to the island with an area of ​​21 square kilometres is limited.

Crystal clear water, that is full of fish, is a paradise for divers. You can discover the remains of three towers that were used in 60′s of the last century for transshipment cargoes. Rocky reefs with colorful corals, underwater cave with a statue of the Virgin Mary and seahorses, however, can be seen only by experienced divers. But do not give up! The diving school is located in close vicinity to the beach.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, source wikipedia

Giglio has become very popular and world-known since the last month due to an accident of mega cruise ship Costa Concordia. The ship hit a reef on Friday 13 January 2012 and partially sank. The number of tourists increased rapidly in this island as everyone wants to see the largest passenger ship (by tonnage) to sink. If you still haven’t seen it, don’t worry, the ship will probably be waiting for you at the coast of Giglio for additional several months. In these days it is without a doubt the best attraction in the area.

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One of the best preserved and maintained monuments is a fortress Talao (Torre Talao). It offers a great view of miles of beaches and cliffs.

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In the historical center of town you can see a Norman castle from 11th century, monastery, ruins of Judas tower, Palazzo dei Principi from 13th century, Church of San Nicola in Plateis from the 8th century, Palazzetto Normanno from 12th century, a former prison Cimalonga tower from 15th century and many more.

You can see here a lot of exotic plants. For example, cedar. The whole region was named right after this slow-growing tree as Cedar Riviera. The tree grows up to a height of 40 to 60 meters with a trunk diameter of 80-200 centimetres.

If you don’t find something you are looking for right in Scalea, then go to the neighboring national park – Parco Nazionale del Pollino. Here you can see another amount of plants as well as protected animals, caves and several gorges, such as Argentino River Valley, the gap in Lao or Romito cave with the pre-historic graffiti.

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Rimini is located in an area known as Adriatic Riviera, which is famous for its endless sandy beaches and long gradual entry into the sea, which is appreciated especially by families with young children. The resort is situated on a flat sea coast in the southeast corner of the Po Valley, about 200 km south of Venice and 50 km from the historic city of Ravenna. Along with several other towns in its surroundings creates a long strip of the urban landscape.

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The town has been here already since Roman period, which is reflected in the buildings in the city center. Rimini has received wider recognition in 1843 when the first spa resort was built here, which is still working. They deal with the treatment of musculoskeletal diseases and respiratory tract and are located in the northeast of the city. During the World War II almost the whole town was destroyed but it has been reconstructed during following years, began to grow and today it is one of Europe’s largest sea site resorts. The first hotel was opened here by Baldini family together with a spa centre in the year 1843. Since then there has grown additional 1600 accommodation properties.

Currently this resort can offer not only the sea, beaches, entertainment and attractions, but also nice old city with some beautiful and important monuments. So you can find a wonderful combination of nature, history, culture and entertainment here. Rimini has two faces – one is historic, great and calm in the same time, while the other one is trendy, vibrant and splendid.

Fans of medieval and Roman monuments will certainly not be disappointed since there are few of them right in the city center. One of the most important monuments is Ponte di Tiberio, a bridge that was constructed of Istrian marble. Its history dates back to the year 20 AD. Up to 90′s of the 20th century the bridge was used for transport, but now serves only for pedestrians. At this bridge, originating from the reign of Emperor Tiberius, starts the main street Corso di Augusto, which crosses the old city.

Following the street you can get up to the south edge of town where you can admire the oldest triumphal arch in Italy – Arco d’Augusto, which was built in 26 BC and served as the official gateway to the city. From the gate, then leads the main road Via Principalis.

The main square of Rimini is Piazza Cavour, which reflects all the city life. Its dominant feature is the ancient palace Palazzo del Podesta built in the 14th century. In front of it you can see the equestrian statue of the former ruler Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta. He was considered as one of the most daring military leaders in Italy of this time.

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On Via IV. Novembre street you can see a Renaissance cathedral church Tempio Malatestiano, which is perhaps the most beautiful building in the town at all. It was built in the 13th century by architect Leon Battista Alberti. His work has subsequently become a jewel of Renaissance architecture. Old Town provides a pleasant rest from the otherwise bustling tourist center. You can wander the picturesque cobbled streets or relax in hidden corners and observe the life around.

But Rimini is mainly known for its busier environment and rich cultural program. It is an ideal place for those who want to enjoy an active holiday full of fun and entertainment of various kinds. So if you like a hectic shopping, crowded pizzerias, discos and bars, you should spend some time on the main street near the beach. In the dark the resort transforms into a center of wild fun. There are especially young people, who are enjoying the vibrant nightlife of clubs and discos until the early morning hours. Exuberant nightlife is the main reason why Rimini is often called “Ibiza of the Adriatic” among young people. However you will not be disappointed even if you are the lover of good food and drink, as you can sit in a comfortable environment of restaurants, pizzerias and bars.

If you will want a break from the hot Italian sun, go to cool down into the Adriatic Sea. Rimini has over twenty kilometers of beaches with golden sand, which is sometimes up to 200 meters wide. Although the sea is a little cloudy from the sand, do not worry about its purity. If you do not prefer sunbathing on the beach and just lying, you can try paragliding, windsurfing, water skiing or jet-ski. In addition to water sports Rimini offers also opportunities to play volleyball, tennis, golf, mini golf and many other sports you can think of. If you have roller skates, be sure to take them with you – Rimini offers several special in-line routes.

You can also spend some time in one of the many parks. The biggest one is the Parco XXV Aprile, where you can get from the street Dario Campana. If you are planning your vacation with children, it is better to choose accommodation in a quieter part of town, like Miramare de Rimini, where the beaches are not overcrowded and there are no fees. This is more quiet part than downtown, which you appreciate mainly during the evening and night hours. As the busiest part of town is considered Rivazzura.

Around the city there are many theme parks, e.g. Fiabilandia, but also the Dolphinarium, a water park and Aquafan underwater world. Perhaps the most popular amusement park is Mirabilandia – Land of Miracles. Among the frequently visited attractions is Italia in miniature, where you can see Italy’s most famous buildings in miniature.

In addition, only about 20km from Rimini you can find the second smallest state in the world – the Republic of San Marino, which is definitely worth a visit. So Rimini is a place where you cannot experience boredom, but unfortunately there is sometimes very hard to find moments of peace.

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Area of Gennargentu National Park includes Gennargentu mountain that is mainly represented as the largest mountain complex in Sardinia, which peaks reach maximum heights of up to 1834 m above sea level (Punta La Marmora). During the brightest days you can see the entire coast of the island from those peaks. Other highest peaks of the mountain are Bruncu Spina (1.828m), Punta Florisa (1.822m), Punta Paolina (1.792m), Punta Erba Irdes (1.703m), Bruncu Allasu (1.701m), Monte Iscudu (1.676m) and Monte Spada (1.595m).

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Gennargentu mountains are connected to the mountains della Barbagia and extends to the sea where forms the bay of the Golfo di Orosei, wildest place over the Mediterranean.

The original idea of ​​establishing a national park in this area relates to people rather than nature itself. Recent local research has indicated that the area starts to slowly deteriorate and devastate and there was a noticeable decline in population. Unemployment also reached alarming values, the traditional sources of livelihood are dying and lack of employment alternatives.

Already in 1962 a plan to restore Sardinia was established, knowing that this exceptional region contains all the elements that clearly indicate the specific nature: richness of vegetation, flora, fauna, strong traditional economy (grazing) and also a very important historical and cultural aspects.

The climate of the national park is Mediterranean, with rainfall mainly concentrated in autumn, winter and spring. The higher mountain areas are characterized by a cool Mediterranean climate, which contributed to the maintenance of a typical high mountain vegetation. The snowfalls are frequent during the winter season but the length and thickness of snow cover is low.

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Amalfitana Coast has been inhabited since the early Middle Ages. There are many cities with important architectural monuments and works of art. The local people adapted to the terrain variety (the terraced vineyards, orchards in the valleys). The largest center of Amalfitana Coast is the historic town of Amalfi. The main monument is The Dome from 10th century. Another popular place is the village of Positano and Ravello romantic village with its beautiful gardens. Since 1997, Amalfitana Coast is a part of UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Positano, Campania, Italy by Stefano Costantini

Positano is one of the world’s most beautiful resorts and, of course, one of the most expensive. The most renowned beaches here are sandy beaches Spiaggia Grande and Spiaggia Fornillo. There is also the rocky beach Scogliera. Of course you can do a wide range of activities here. The most popular is the diving and surfing. However the area is suitable for hiking as well. During the summer season Positano holds many festivals and celebrations. Among the most significant is the celebration of the landing Saraceno – “Festa di Santa Assunta” or Festival of Dance – “Premio Positano“.

The city was an important port during the 16th and 17th centuries, but later in the 19th century many people moved out and those remaining lived very poorly. Around the year of 1950 a poor fishing village has been discovered again and opened to a new and lucrative industry. Today the inhabitants live solely from tourism. Currently Positano has around 4,000 inhabitants.

Positano, Campania, Italy by Jensens

There are several sights that you can find here, but visitors are coming here mainly for romantic sunsets. One of the best ways to enjoy a sunset is sitting on the beach with a glass of Limoncello.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Paul Resh

The island has been and still is for his position, and especially for its beauty and uniqueness, the seat of the higher society and artists. E.g. the Swedish writer Axel Munte spend here some part of his life. His Villa San Michele is now open to the public as a museum. In Capri you can find such villas and residences on each corner. One of the most famous – Villa Jovis – was built by Emperor Tiberius as his summer residence.

From the higher part of the island you can find a picturesque view of the entire magical panorama, but also of the Augustus Gardens and the magnificent white cliffs – Faraglioni. Near the town of Anacapri is the highest peak of the island, Solaro.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Nenita Casuga

From the above mentioned information, it is clear that the island of Capri has a romantic beauty. But its uniqueness lies elsewhere – in the Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra) – the sea cave – magnet for the tourists. And indeed, when the lights switch off in a dark cave and you see the azure blue sea, you stop breath and enjoy a unique experience. The trip to the famous cave, although you will pay around 16Eur, is worth your visit. Tourists can reach the cave by bus or taxi from Anacapri; or by boat from Marina Grande.

Capri, it is not only the nature and beauty, but also a typical Italian countryside atmosphere. In the picturesque square in the Capri town you find many shops and boutiques selling souvenirs and other products of local production. Lovers of sea and water activities can visit the beach at Marina Piccola, or drive around the island tour on a boat ride (an experience for about 9 Euro).

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