Green tourism in Italy: 5 unmissable itineraries

The entire Tuscan territory has long boasted particular attention and respect for the environment, with eco-friendly tourism among the most developed in Italy. Just think of the city of Grosseto, a model city for sustainable tourism in Europe, or the Maremma National Park, recognised as "European Excellence" in sustainable tourism. Renewable energy, sustainable structures, plastic-free beaches, zero-km products, cycling, and trekking trails will guarantee you a complete green experience.

In the Maremma area itself, you will be amazed by the diversity of its territory and the colours that combine with each other, the yellow of the beaches set against the green of the hills with the blue of the Argentario sea in the background. Special mention must go to the seaside village of Castiglione Della Pescaia, which adopted a plastic-free policy some time ago, visible in the cleanliness of its beaches and crystal-clear water.

Not to be missed is the marvellous natural oasis of the Maremma Natural Park, where you can wander through the lush Mediterranean scrub, discovering wild, unspoiled landscapes and meeting typical local animals. Here you can choose from a variety of routes on foot, by bike, or on horseback to explore different areas with unique views. The pearl of the Maremma and an unmissable stop is the Argentario, a promontory overlooking the sea famous for its crystal clear waters, where you can explore its coves and paths surrounded by greenery and rocks.

For those who love trekking and scuba diving in emerald waters, then a visit to the magical Giglio Island, still little known to mass tourism, is a must. In addition, the Maremma boasts several of the most beautiful natural spas in Italy, including the famous Saturnia Hot Springs which will offer you total relaxation and  enchant with its spectacular setting.

Lake Garda, an unquestionable destination for foreign and Italian tourists, has rapidly aligned itself with the demands of eco-friendly tourism, becoming one of the main green destinations of Italy. If you want to be catapulted into a surreal landscape, surrounded by the majesty of the Alps and immersed in the palm, cypress, and olive trees, then the largest and most picturesque lake on the peninsula is for you.

Beaches to relax and admire the sunset, hot springs, gastronomic tours with zero-kilometre products, water sports (sailing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing), and many itineraries on foot or by bike will allow you to explore its natural wonders and feel part of them at the same time.

Among the many places to visit slowly and sustainably, we recommend the Blue Flag beaches of Gordone, the magnificent Ponale path overlooking the lake, and the Valle Dei Laghi cycle path, which, with its 15 km, will not only allow you to admire the most beautiful views and glimpses of the lake, surrounded by vineyards and orchards, but also to get to know some of the most characteristic villages scattered around the lake. For a truly unique and relaxing experience, a stone's throw from the lake you can also immerse yourself in the natural paradise of the Colà Hot Springs.

But Lake Garda is not only nature, history, and culture complete the panorama. In the Upper Lake area, for example, you can visit the Vittoriale Degli Italiani, the home of the famous writer Gabriele d'Annunzio, the Andreè Heller Botanical Garden, as well as various Roman and prehistoric sites.

You will also have the opportunity to take part in food and wine tours, for example in the vineyard area from Desenzano to Salò you can visit local farms and oil mills and taste DOC wines. In addition, we recommend to taste the renowned Monte Baldo truffles and the tasty citrus fruits used to make various liqueurs.

For a conscious and responsible trip, Sardinia is an ideal destination for its extraordinary biodiversity and cultural traditions. In addition to its wonderful beaches, the island offers many activities in the equally beautiful inland areas for a slow holiday in contact with nature and history.

In the inland areas of the south, you will find several plateaus with circular routes of various levels that are interesting from both a historical and a landscape point of view. In Isili you can admire the archaeological sites of the Nuragic civilisation and several museums, or get to know the natural habitat of Europe's last wild horses in Giara di Gesturi.

For a truly unique experience, wealso recommend the tour on the ancient locomotive from Mandas to Arbatrax on the west coast and famous for its red rocks. You will slowly cross and observe magical places among valleys, forests, lakes, mountains, and plains that will leave you speechless.

For mountain lovers, not to be missed is Gennargentu, the highest mountain in Sardinia, which offers countless itineraries of varying difficulty, the most beautiful time being in spring when the Peonies are in bloom. If you want to capture the true soul of the island then you absolutely must attend one of its 1000 religious celebrations.

Among the most famous and eccentric is the festival dedicated to Sant'Efisio, celebrated on 1 May in Cagliari. Here you will be overwhelmed by an explosion of colours, sounds, and scents. The procession is opened by the traccas, oxen decorated with carpets and flowers, and groups in traditional costume recite and sing, with the sound of launeddas in the background accompanying the procession along its route amidst rose petals of various colours.

Usually, when we think of holidays in Emilia-Romagna we immediately think of the Riviera with its beach umbrellas and beaches. But the region's territory is vast and varied and will excite you with its beauty and 100% green activities.

Among the main ones, we suggest the Ciclovie dei Parchi: 10 cycle routes suitable for everyone within beautiful parks and nature reserves, ranging from the Po Valley to the Apennines, passing through the famous hills of Bologna.

In addition to natural wonders, you will also discover many historical and architectural beauties that will take you back in time. Details of the routes can be found on the Region's website. You can also visit the main towns in the region by bike, as there is an excellent network of cycle paths.

For those who prefer to walk, the region offers many itineraries in areas that are off the beaten track, such as the 14 Cammini (walking paths) that cover 2000 km through nature, local traditions, and typical products, to discover places that are still authentic.

The most fascinating route is the Via Francigena, which in the past connected Canterbury with Rome, and which in recent times has been generating great development opportunities for sustainable tourism. Its original length is 1800 km but the stretch in Emilia-Romagna is about 145 km, a wonderful route through mountain paths, country lanes, villages, tree-lined roads, and towns.

After a long walk, relaxation is a must, and Emilia-Romagna will not disappoint you with its natural swimming pools surrounded by silence, waterfalls, rivers, and lakes. One of the most beautiful places is the Acquacheta Waterfall in the Montone valley, which is also located in the beautiful Casentino National Forest Park.

Trentino-Alto Adige is the symbolic region of sustainable tourism in Italy, having been awarded the title of 'Green Region of Italy' in February 2015. From the Dolomites to Lake Garda, you can choose from countless green activities for a slow holiday amid lush, unspoiled nature.

Active tourism is the most widespread in the Alps, which not only encourages sustainable practices but also supports local economies. You can choose from trekking, Nordic walking, and cycling routes that will take you to the highest peaks and admire the stunning scenery. Another attraction of Trentino is the lakes. We recommend the suggestive Lake Coldonazzo, the largest in the region, where you can relax on its beaches and bathe in its clean waters, as well as practice various water sports. 

Also of interest is IT.A.CÀ, the Festival of Responsible Tourism, which will allow you to explore the wonders of Trento and its hidden valleys more authentically and consciously. In addition, the region boasts 300 km of cycle paths suitable for everyone and in excellent condition, with relaxation and refreshment points, and a railway line well connected to the departure and arrival points of your eco-tour. Among the various cycling itineraries, we recommend the Green Valley, an easy route that runs along the Adige river, through enchanting landscapes far from civilisation, among wonderful forests and vineyards. 

For a glamorous and green experience, don't forget to book your accommodation on Nuovi Sogni.