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ITALY IS AN EXTRAORDINARY COUNTRY FOR JUST AN ORDINARY HOLIDAY!
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BENVENUTI! Hello, I am Vanya, the founder of Design Your Italy, and if you are reading this, it means we already have something in common- our love for Italy. In this brochure, you'll not find any travel packages or any ready-to-go itineraries, yet many reasons to visit any of the twenty Italian regions and get inspired. I want to ask you only one favour. Please, do not underrate any of the regions! They are all superb, and each contributes to make from Italy the extraordinary country it is. Sending you greetings from Milan, Vanya
ITALY ITALY ITALY
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CONTENT NORTHERN ITALY Page 6 - Page 21 Aosta Valley Piedmont Liguria Lombardy Veneto Trentino Alto Adige Friuli Venezia Giulia Emilia-Romagna CENTRAL ITALY Page 22 - Page 31 Tuscany Umbria The Marches Lazio Abruzzo SOUTHERN ITALY Page 32 - Page 41 Campania Basilicata Calabria Apulia Molise ISLANDS Page 42 - Page 45 Sardinia Sicily
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Situated in the northern part of the country, Aosta Valley is the smallest of all twenty Italian regions. Snuggled at the feet of grand mountains, this tiny region has a rich natural heritage to discover. Predominantly a mountainous terrain, here, The Alps sketch a breath-taking vista, and have sculpted Europe's highest peak, the uniquely beautiful Mont Blancthe roof of the Old Continent. The impressive mountain passes, together with larch and fir woods, form a remarkable backdrop for the glacial rivers flows and wild grasslands. A mountain region par excellence, the unique alpine environment of Aosta Valley combines various fascinating flora and fauna biodiversity with picturesque mountain villages scattered through its territory. With small rural houses made of stone and wood, the quiet atmosphere here melts perfectly with the relaxing surrounding. In the same striking setting of exquisite natural landscapes, culture, history, and art coexist in harmony. Many historical and archaeological sites testify to the passage of the Roman conquerors. From crumbling theatres and aqueducts to city walls and old crypts, all provide evidence of a glorious past. Aosta Valley keeps traces of the Medieval Ages, too. Surrounded by greenery, the numerous castles and towers rise on rocky elevations to dominate the vast alpine meadows below. Amid scenic mountains and wrapped in centuries of history, the tiny region of Aosta Valley is an opportunity to discover incomparable beauty and the uniqueness of the local culture and artistic heritage, while enjoying the pure air and natural wonders.
AOSTA VALLEY: LAND OF MOUNTAINS, LAND OF CASTLES NORTHERN ITALY
REASONS TO GO
BORDERS
SPORT
CULTURE
Trekking Road and Mountain biking Summer skiing Mountaineering Climbing Rafting Horseback riding Paragliding Sports Fishing Winter Sports Golf
Roman architecture Castles Hamlets Museums
Piedmont France Switzerland
ENO-GASTRONOMY Food and Wine tours and tastings
WELLNESS Thermal spas
NATURE Naturalistic excursions Botanical gardens Nature Reserves Lakes Mountains
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Umbria is blessed with extraordinary natural beauty. It is the green and spiritual heart of Italy. This central region is the only one without sea borders. Instead, its territory dominated by dense oak forests, gorgeous flowered meadows in a thousand hues and soft rolling hills that change colours each season. Amid the majestic Apennines and fertile valleys, Umbria greets visitors with its magnificent unspoiled natural panoramas, laden with peace and calm. Here, rugged rocky slopes with astonishing peaks overlook parks displaying numerous shades of green and iridescent olive groves. It creates a remarkable setting for a slow pace of life. And in direct touch with this resplendent nature are medieval hamlets perched on the hills. The intact walls and narrow stone lanes are testimony  to the area’s long-established connection between ancient times and modern traditions. Preserving its cosy and intimate charm, the picturesque historical centres reveal the unfurling of the authentic life of Umbria. Filled with architectural wonders and religious treasures that maintain their original bewitchery, the region of Umbria is a mystical corner and sacred land from centuries past. As the native soil of many saints, it is home to multiple abbeys, tiny churches with outstanding frescos and hermitages where one can rediscover the beauty of simplicity. In a serene atmosphere, one can find peace in Umbria: it provides a connection for personal growth and transformation. Umbria, immersed in the tranquillity and of delightful landscapes, the spiritual history of the area blends harmoniously with the natural splendours that nurture both heart and soul. It makes for a remarkable journey.
UMBRIA: THE GREEN AND SPIRITUAL HEART OF ITALY CENTRAL ITALY
REASONS TO GO
BORDERS
SPORT
CULTURE
Trekking Hiking Road and Mountain biking Motorcycle Horseback riding Golf Paragliding Canyoning Climbing and Potholing Rafting Fishing Winter Sports
Spiritual sites Museums Hamlets Etruscan sites Roman ruins Weaving and lace Ceramics
WELLNESS Thermal spas
Tuscany The Marches Lazio
ENO-GASTRONOMY
NATURE
Food and Wine tours and tastings Harvest experience Olive oil tasting Truffle hunting Saffron harvest
Naturalistic excursions Mountains Nature Reserves Birdwatching Lakes and waterfalls
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To experience the quintessential adventure, head to Italy's "toe" and explore the southernmost region of the peninsula: Calabria. Sunny and savoury, this undiscovered corner of Italy is an unusual yet marvellous destination to explore. Lapped by the Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas, the Calabrian rocky coastline stretches for miles with fine sandy beaches lining turquoise water that perfectly contrast with the wild landscapes and plentiful natural splendours. Calabria is distinguished for its richness and beauty. But Calabria is also about great history. Known as the Cradle of Magna Graecia, for millennia it was a crossroad of different civilisations and cultures that have left a rich historical legacy behind. From numerous settlements with ancient origins lying in the hinterland to Roman ruins and splendid churches and monasteries, the region preserves its age-old culture. The beauty of this unspoiled region goes beyond the imagination. Shaped by soaring mountains crowned with jagged peaks, dramatic waterfalls and gorgeous national parks teeming with wildlife and skyscraping trees, the region is an incredible place to discover and enjoy. The southern Italian region of Calabria has many faces. It reveals a world notable for its timeless past and long traditions that still survive in perfect synergy with the idyllic and scenic landscapes. It's a piece of Italy's seductive south - land where a journey turns into a story that endures.
CALABRIA: UNHURRIED BEAUTY, DAZZLING COASTLINES AND ANCIENT HISTORY SOUTHERN ITALY
REASONS TO GO
BORDERS
SPORT
CULTURE
Trekking Snow Trekking Nordic walking Sled dog Hiking Road and Mountain biking Horseback riding Canyoning Rafting Kayaking Paragliding Golf Climbing Scuba Diving Snorkelling Surf Winter Sports
Museums Hamlets Castles Archaeological sites Spiritual sites
Basilicata Ionian Sea Tyrrhenian Sea The Strait of Messina separates it from Sicily
ENO-GASTRONOMY
NATURE
Food and Wine tours and tastings Harvest experience Olive oil tasting
Naturalistic excursions Mountains Nature Reserves Wildlife Parks Coast Marine protected areas
WELLNESS Thermal spas
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At the eternal crossroad of Italy and the cradle of many outstanding different cultures, Sicily is the country’s largest island. Located in southern Italy, Sicily is a harmonious mixture of centuries of history. It’s dazzling diversity it is a love affair any visitor is powerless to resist. Nestled amid three seas, the island’s dramatic swirl of limestone rocks and marble cliffs overlook the crystal-clear water, creating a seducing and striking coastal setting. Enriching the marvellous seaside landscapes are secluded inlets with powdery white sand that contrast strikingly with volcanic beaches and black lava stone pillars. Sicily and the small islands around its coast are a fascinating array of fire giants. Home to active volcanos that create lunar sceneries, Sicily is a witness to myths and ancient history. With century-old unique salt reserves, the region also has an outstanding natural heritage. But this tiny Italian region offers even more. Home to enchanting beaches lapped by the limpid water of the Adriatic coast - lined with fascinating wooden fishermen hubs - Molise reveals an incredible and genuine beauty that blends in perfect harmony with authentic Italian life. In reality, Sicily is an open-air museum. Stepping onto the island means stepping back in time and savouring many cultures. Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Normans, Arabs, and the Spanish have conquered this land through the centuries. All of have left an indelible mark, age-old archaeological stratification and a rich cultural legacy. To witness the past, just visit the beautifully preserved historic towns and small hamlets where daily life still follows a slow rhythm and offers a glimpse into the heart and soul of Sicily. The sun-kissed island is a land of many colours from the intense white of shimmering salt heaps, the vivid and exquisite blue shades of the sea, the bright red of the windmill roofs, the sunny yellow of the cultivation fields, the dusky black of the volcanos, and the emerald green of the pistachios. This rainbow prism makes treasured memories effortless.
SICILY: ETERNAL CULTURAL CROSSROAD AND LAND OF COLOURS ISLANDS
REASONS TO GO
BORDERS
SPORT
CULTURE
Trekking Hiking Road and Mountain biking Horseback riding Windsurf Surf Kitesurf Scuba diving Sailing Parasailing Rafting Canyoning Sky Diving Paragliding Golf Climbing Winter Sports
Museums Hamlets Archaeological sites Arab-Norman Heritage Byzantine Mosaics
Tyrrhenian Sea Ionian Sea The Strait of Messina separates it from Calabria
ENO-GASTRONOMY
NATURE
Food and Wine tours and tastings Harvest experience Olive oil tasting Street Food tours
Naturalistic excursions Nature Reserves Wildlife Parks Coast Mountains Marine protected a
WELLNESS Thermal spas
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