Adriatic Coast: you re always welcome

Transcription

1 Adriatic Coast: you re always welcome Not one kind of tourism, but lots. Not one opportunity to have fun, but lots of opportunities to enjoy an unforgettable holiday. This is the Adriatic Coast of Emilia Romagna. The packages presented in this magazine represent the best that is on offer, developed along 110 kilometres of coastline. A mix of beach and art towns, environment and sport, nightlife and theme parks. Everything set in a reception context which is constantly in search of innovation and quality. The hotels, tourist villages, clubs, the courtesy and hospitality of our operators are the first business card of tourism in Emilia Romagna. Continuous investments guarantee their progressive qualification, with increasingly improved and integrated services and all-inclusive packages at highly competitive rates. Few other capitals of tourism are able to offer a mix to compare with that of the Adriatic Coast of Emilia Romagna: the family beach is a place to regain a perfectly calm balance, with accessorised reception structures and equally adequate beach facilities; the theme parks that attract children, parents and grandparents, from Easter to October; the environment, the Delta Park, the Casentinesi Forests and the High Valmarecchia, a landscape which has remained unspoilt despite the economic development of one of the richest areas in Europe; the sense of tradition which is also renewed in the food and wine culture linked with places and territories. Then there is Pink Night, the positive emblem of night-time entertainment, of the carefree holiday spirit that leads the way, in this case too, to a variety of nightspots from the clubs to dancing on the beaches all of the very highest level: Where the fun s at to quote the title of the website the portal of the Adriatic Coast of Emilia Romagna. A mention must also be made of the facilities on offer for pleasure sailors, which are unique in Italy, with just under six thousand moorings in modern wet docks; sport, from sailing to golf, from cycling to beach tennis and beach volley; even wellbeing, with the areas spa facilities. In short, not one kind of tourism, but lots: and this is where you ll find the most entertaining relaxation there is. Andrea Corsini President of Unione Prodotto Costa Antonio Carasso Programme Coordinator RIVIERA MAGAZINE - 3

2 IN THIS ISSUE OF RIVIERA MAGAZINE 8 Lidi di Comacchio The Park beaches The Ravenna beaches The trendy coast Cervia Milano Marittima Naturally elegant Cesenatico A seafaring town Gatteo a Mare Would you like to dance? Savignano Mare A 180 metre oasis San Mauro Mare Relaxation is an art on the family beach Bellaria Igea Marina Strolling along Isola dei Platani Rimini The Fellini capital Riccione Glamour day and night Misano Adriatico Full speed ahead Cattolica Holiday in style USEFUL INSERT 36 The beach Safe sea, fine sand 38 Po Delta Park Nature s wonders 40 The many Parks of the Adriatic Coast Dolphins and roller coasters 42 The hub of fun Endless night 44 Health and Wellness Pamper yourself at the spa 46 Active holiday Fill up on energy 48 Wine&Food Delights for the palate Milano Ferrara Bologna Forlì Cesena Venezia Ravenna Rimini Events, art and culture Not just sea Choice of holidays 2008 Operators and offers Firenze Roma

3 14th June 16th July RAVENNA FESTIVAL Ravenna 5th April 20th July 21st June 29th June Ermitage Italia presents GAROFALO e il CINQUECENTO FERRARESE FESTA ARTUSIANA Forlimpopoli, province of Forlì-Cesena Castello Estense, Ferrara Cristo porta Croce, 1530 San Pietroburgo, Museo Statale Ermitage Foto di E. Filippi - Archivio fotografico Provincia di Forlì-Cesena

4 Lidi di Comacchio The Park beaches Seaside holidaymaking tied to the environment, where each locality has its own charm: pristine, for families, fashionable. A holiday in the seven Lidos of Comacchio is special. Accommodation along this 23 km of coast mainly involves apartments (25 thousand) and camp sites. There are only 35 hotels. Many visitors are interested in the surrounding countryside and come to see the natural environment of the Po Delta Park, directly behind the wide beaches. From north to south, each Lido has its own specific identity. Lido di Volano is the wildest, Lido delle Nazioni offers a mix of Delta breed horses and spa facilities (seasonal, with water dating back 5 thousand years), the Lido degli Scacchi and Pomposa are ideal for families. Here we find Porto Garibaldi with its large fishing harbour and marina (mooring space for 300 boats) and its history, Lido degli Estensi is the lounge and Lido di Spina, the last and southernmost locality, is renowned for its pinewood and the Museum home of Remo Brindisi. 1 Not to be missed At the Lidos of Comacchio (Blue Flags for various consecutive years), the large equipped beaches stand side by side with stretches of pristine sand, while the various localities provide top-quality amenities with plenty to do for the kids and strong focus on entertainment and security. On Sundays, in July and August, the local life-saving service recruits trained dogs to lend a hand.during the week, each Lido holds a shopping market, with lots of side events and entertainment. Night-life abounds and during the late and early hours buses link the various discos and venues. Local cuisine is keyed to Delta traditions and for those who want to keep in shape after eating a plate of fish and drinking a glass of wine, there is a broad choice of sports equipment on the beaches. Alternatively, a bike ride is ideal for making contact with the natural environment. Tourist Information Offices Typical Comacchio Typical Comacchio specialities, where eels play a leading role, accompanied by the wines of Bosco Eliceo. Not to mention other delicious items such as clams, mussels, sea-bass, gilthead and mullet. The trails The trails that criss-cross the Po Delta Park amid dry land and water, and which can be covered on foot, by bike or on horseback, pass through areas of great scenic beauty creeks, saltpans and pinewoods. Museum Well worth a visit is the old-town centre of Comacchio the Roman Ship Museum, with artefacts dating back to the 1st century B.C., the 18th-century Ospedale degli Infermi, site of historical-archaeological exhibitions, and the elegant Palazzo Bellini, which houses the Civic Library and Historical Archive, not forgetting Manifattura dei Marinati, the factory where Comacchio marinated eel is still processed today. Entertainment In Comacchio, the nights are animated by historical regattas on the canals, street dancing and theatre, seafaring sounds and tales, fashion parades, popular festivals and firework displays. The monumental Trepponti bridge is the heart of these activities. Ferrara Castello Estense Ferrara Tel Fax infotur@provincia.fe.it Comacchio Via Mazzini Comacchio (FE) Tel Fax comacchio.iat@comune.comacchio.fe.it Previous page: Comacchio, the Trepponti bridge 1. Goro, harbour 2. Lidi ferraresi RIVIERA MAGAZINE RIVIERA MAGAZINE - 9

5 The Ravenna beaches The trendy coast Evening beach access makes the difference. Nine beaches for lots of different ways of approaching a holiday along the Adriatic Coast. This is what the Ravenna coast, between Casalborsetti and Lido di Savio, has to offer. Casalborsetti, in the past a small fishing village, is now at the centre of major changes, starting with the new marina, able to accommodate 400 boats and plans to build a new golf course. 2 3 Just a few kilometres away is Marina Romea: wide beach, excellent hotels and close ties with the creeks and pinewoods of the nearby Po Delta park. Another small village is Porto Corsini, a departure point for horse rides through the hinterland. 1 Tourist Information Offices Ravenna Via Salara 8/ Ravenna Tel Fax turismo@comune.ra.it IAT Teodorico Via delle Industrie Ravenna Tel teodorico.iat@libero.it IAT Classe Via Romea Sud, Ravenna Tel classe.iat@libero.it For some years now, Marina di Ravenna has been one of the coast s trendiest localities, especially since the beach has been made accessible in the evening, with music, restaurants, films and the presentation of books. The town boasts the largest marina on the Adriatic coast, Marinara, with mooring space for 1100 boats. The main road, lined with pine trees, leads to Punta Marina, or Punta Marina Terme as it is now called. Here visitors will find a spa centre on the beach which exploits all the beneficial properties of the salty, bromine and iodine water. A broad range of accommodation (hotels and apartments) is available at Lido Adriano, a big favourite with families. Nudism and nature coexist at Lido di Dante, one of the Italian beaches open to nudists, just a few hundred metres from the mouth of the Bevano river, with its pristine natural environment of sand dunes. Finally, the last two Lidos, both very similar the one to the other: Lido di Classe and Lido di Savio which, besides the sea and pinewood, also offer holiday packages that include the nearby Mirabilandia amusement park Happy hours on the beach 2. Ravenna, the wonderful Byzantine mosaics of the Basilica of San Vitale 3. Marina di Ravenna 4. Marinara, the Marina di Ravenna harbour Not to be missed The mosaics The ancient mosaics, which make Ravenna the capital of mosaic art - eight of its monuments have been declared World Heritage sites by UNESCO. During the summer months, evening guaided visits to the Basilica of San Vitale, to the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, to the Domus of the Stone Carpets and to the San Nicolò complex. Ravenna Festival The prestigious Ravenna Festival, with its outstanding concerts, stage performances and operas. Bassona beach Taking a dip at Bassona, which Legambiente (Society for the Protection of the Environment) has included among the ten most beautiful beaches in Italy. Surrounded by the Lido di Dante nature reserve at the River Bevano delta, the beach - a part of which is set aside for nudists - lies next to a large pinewood and a series of sand dunes that stretch for over one kilometre. Excursions An underwater visit off Marina di Ravenna to the Paguro reserve, the wreck of a platform with its thriving marine vegetation that has become a natural habitat for fish and shellfish RIVIERA MAGAZINE RIVIERA MAGAZINE - 11

6 Cervia Milano Marittima Naturally elegant Environment, gastronomy, fashion and superior hotels - different ways of being on holiday. Tradition and modernity, traces of the ancient salt civilisation and elegant and sophisticated site amenities, atmospheres of times gone by and a worldly air coexist side by side at Cervia Milano Marittima. Two different, but complementary hearts for a locality that has earned itself a place of honour among European holiday capitals. 1 On the one side is Milano Marittima (established in 1912 by a group of Milanese industrialists), with its fashion boutiques, crowded night clubs, modern hotels, well-attended roundabouts, gardens and greenery, a 27-hole golf club, the celebrities who attend the trendiest clubs, the beach parties and full optional bathing establishments and the luxuriant pinewood, the ideal place for jogging or relaxing walks. On the other side is Cervia, with its salt-pans, the saltpan workers village, the fishing nets on board the fishing boats in the Canal Harbour, Piazza Garibaldi with its beautiful paving stones, the spa, the plates of fish cooked in the traditional way in the many restaurants, the industrial architecture of the Salt Stores and the San Michele Tower and numerous events, from the World Kiting Festival to the Sand Castle Master Cervia, salt pans 2. Milano Marittima, concertino Tourist Information Offices Cervia Milano Marittima Viale Matteotti, 39/ Milano Marittima (RA) Tel Fax iatmilanomarittima@cerviaturismo.it All the holidaymaker has to do is choose and it only takes a short walk to move from one world to another from an aperitif at Milano Marittima to the history and culture of Cervia evoked by the quadrilateral of the Saltpan workers village (the old-town centre) and the Salt Museum housed in the Magazzeni (Stores) where the white gold was kept. Not to be missed House of Butterflies Green and blue are the characteristic colours of Cervia, a town where flower-filled gardens give off inebriating perfumes. More colour is provided by the butterflies at Casa delle Farfalle & Co (House of Butterflies) with 1200 square metres of exotic environment for beautiful Amazonian, African and Indo-Australian butterflies and characteristic habitat for the insects that show off all their particular features. Wellness The Spa Centres, the beach and the hotels offer wellness areas for both physical and psychological health, with massages, whirlpool baths and wellness treatment sessions, also with the possibility for customised treatment sessions. Excursions Excursions in the green areas of the saltpans and pinewoods enable direct contact with nature but also with music, thanks to the summer concerts. New The brand new CerviAvventura, the park where you can experience the thrill of flight amidst the pines RIVIERA MAGAZINE RIVIERA MAGAZINE - 13

7 Cesenatico A seafaring town Bragozzi and battane, fish restaurants and shopping in the splendid setting of the canal harbour. Top-class fish restaurants inserted in a truly unique setting a harbour designed five centuries ago by Leonardo da Vinci. Cesenatico is a town that maintains a precise seafaring identity. Moored in the upper part of the canal harbour are the bragozzi, battane and trabaccoli ships of the Seafaring Museum together with a splendid dry section, while behind the wharfs stand the Conserve, enormous conicalshaped containers, once used as refrigerators to store the fresh fish, which was covered with pressed snow and ice. Cesenatico is also famous for its gourmet restaurants: every year over half a million people from all over Italy and Europe enjoy the culinary delights the town has to offer. Cesenatico is a European holiday capital. Besides the beach, it also organises numerous sporting events the Nove Colli long-distance cycle race, the Vele di Pasqua race for catamarans, staged at Easter, numerous beach volleyball courts located here and there among the golden sands of the bathing establishments, the marina, two large green parks to the north and south, a golf course and sailing schools. Cycling enthusiasts, and other too, will not fail to visit Spazio Pantani, a 300 sq.mt. exhibition area where photos, family heirlooms and audiovisual material belonging to the Champion of Cesenatico reconstruct the pirate s career. A town with an enviable lifestyle: over 40 km of tree-lined streets with splendid hotels, villas, shops and restaurants. Many celebrities live here: Alberto Zaccheroni, Azeglio Vicini, Dario Fo. On the left bank of the canal harbour is the home of famous 20th-century writer Marino Moretti. This is open to the public and contains manuscripts and documents of all kinds. One of Cesenatico s most charming events is staged in the winter, when the Seafaring Crèche is set up on the old boats moored in the harbour: on this occasion, the place of the ox and ass is taken by dolphins and the gifts presented to the Child Jesus are fish and piadina. 1 Not to be missed Tourist Information Offices Museum A visit to the Museo della Marineria, which witnesses the city s seafaring soul, with its outdoor exhibition of ancient armed boats with brightly coloured sails vele al terzo the only one of its kind in Italy. Fishing-oriented tourism Try the fascinating experience of fishing-oriented tourism accompanied by the sector s direct protagonists, the fishermen, who readily disclose their professional secrets and methods and then savour our traditional fish-based recipes at the gourmet events Azzurro come il pesce (As blue as a fish) in spring and Il pesce fa festa (Fish celebrations) in autumn. Spazio Pantani Relive the great sporting achievements of the cycling champion from Romagna, Marco Pantani, in the Spazio Pantani, riding your bike along the hinterland itineraries on which Marco used to train, perhaps in preparation for the Nove Colli, Europe s most popular bike race, with over 10,000 participants. Garibaldi Festival Take part on one of the summer events awaited by locals and tourists alike: the Garibaldi Festival, celebrated on the first weekend of August and evoking the historical episode of the hero s embarkation at the port of Cesenatico, with official ceremonies, the traditional Palio della Cuccagna and finally a magnificent firework display. Cesenatico Viale Roma Cesenatico (FC) Tel Fax info@cesenaticoturismo.com Previous page: canal harbour and the characteristic sails 1. Gardens by the sea 2. The beach RIVIERA MAGAZINE RIVIERA MAGAZINE - 15

8 Gatteo a Mare Would you like to dance? In the home-town of the Casadei family, a holiday for children and adults alike. Would you like to dance? This is the most frequently asked question at Gatteo Mare. Of course, you are free to accept or not, but remember that this small seaside resort (7,000 inhabitants) is considered the place where liscio dancing was born. Romagna Mia, at the top of the charts for being the most played, sung and danced melody in the world, saw the light here along with the famous Casadei dynasty. And if you don t know how to dance, never mind, you ll learn. Dance halls are not lacking for sure in this part of the land. Polka and mazurka are even danced at dawn: the most curious appointment is on the beach at Gatteo every morning from 6 to The town is distinguished by a cheerful atmosphere, but above all it is highly organised. You can be sure that people will do all they can to give you a great holiday. Within its one square kilometre of surface area, the town boasts 90 hotels, 30 bathing establishments, bike and pedal-boat rental, tennis, miniature golf, swimming-pools, water-skiing, one hundred shops and craft workshops. The most original? The artistically-made bread shops, real works of art that have even been made to order for pope John Paul II. Tourist Information Offices Gatteo a Mare Piazza della Libertà Gatteo a Mare (FC) Tel Fax iat@comune.gatteo.fo.it Next page: the beach 1. The home of liscio dancing This peaceful haven is very popular with families with children. Besides the sea and beach however, Gatteo has a history stretching far back through the centuries. It was originally a Roman settlement (many archaeological artefacts have been discovered) and Julius Caesar s historical Rubicone river runs through it. Not to be missed: the turreted medieval Castle with a moat where, on 10 August, the feast of the patron saint St. Laurence is held, and the beautiful San Rocco Oratory. Not to be missed Julius Caesar Alea iacta est, the dice is cast, are the famous words pronounced by Julius Caesar on crossing the River Rubicone. Now the river can be crossed by the new cyclist/pedestrian bridge linking Gatteo a Mare to Savignano and San Mauro Mare, where a bronze bust of Julius Caesar can be admired. Summer events The town offers visitors a series of unique summer events: the Settimana della Micizia (Friendship with Cats Week) in July; the musical review Siola d Oro dedicated to the memory of the famous soprano Lina Pagliughi, whose birth centenary is celebrated this year; and, Gatteo in Musica with its extensive choice of summer concerts. The Music And where but in Secondo Casadei s native town can we listen to and enjoy the best ballroom dancing, which is typical of Romagna? 16 - RIVIERA MAGAZINE RIVIERA MAGAZINE - 17

9 Savignano Mare A 180 metre oasis Sports play a lead role together with lots of entertainment for the kids. The shortest beach of the Adriatic Coast of Emilia Romagna is just 180 metres long. Welcome to Savignano Mare, a gem of fine sand that shines just a few hundred metres from the right bank of the mouth of the Rubicone river. A protected area full of charm that represents the singular short coastline of the Municipality of Savignano sul Rubicone. 2 1 Here, the big amenity for visitors is the award-winning 5-star campsite with lots of activities on offer (from golf to sailing) and where children can have the time of their lives in the swimming pools, on the slides, with inflatable games, entertainment, in a real paradise for kids. If you lift your gaze towards the sky, you can see 12 different types of seagulls. Behind the beach in fact is a protected area that extends over two hectares, chosen by the Lipu (Italian Association for the Protection of Birds) for its new Coastal oasis. This nature park stretches along 12 km of coast (including parts of Cesenatico, Gatteo and San Mauro) and is the perfect place for birdwatching or nature walks. The entrance to the park is from the former S.S. 16 main road with a car park and information desk A perfect oasis for smaller children as well 2. Scenic view of the beach 3. The beach Tourist Information Offices Savignano Mare URP (Ufficio Relazioni col Pubblico) del Comune di Savignano Piazza Borghesi Savignano sul Rubicone (FC) Tel Fax urp@comune.savignano-sul-rubicone.fo.it Talking about walks, do not miss that across the spectacular wooden bridge that stretches across the Rubicone river mouth. The walk starts in San Mauro Mare and ends in Gatteo. Walking over the bridge is like being suspended in the air while below, boats enter and leave the marina. The most photographed point of the bridge? Naturally that with the bronze bust of Julius Caesar with the legendary words alea iacta est, the dice is cast. Not to be missed Festival Only a few kilometres from the sea, Savignano sul Rubicone is the centre of permanent activity in the photography, image and visual communications field. One of the cult events held in September is SI FEST Savignano Immagini Festival, a festival of photography and videos, exhibitions, meetings, readings and projections which is a major appointment for critics, enthusiasts and artists from Italy and abroad. History The Roman bridge on the historical river Rubicone, a river that defined Ancient Rome s northern border. Museum The Ancient Pieve Romanica (Romanesque Parish Church) of San Giovanni in Compito, which dates back to the 11th century, with the adjacent small but significant Museo Archeologico del Compito, desplaying major Roman and medieval artefacts. The prestigious Accademia dei Filopatridi, founded in the 17th century, which houses a vast assortment of documents dating from the 12th century to the present day RIVIERA MAGAZINE RIVIERA MAGAZINE - 19

10 San Mauro Mare Relaxation is an art on the family beach What is a family s holiday dream? It is perfect relaxation. This is the challenge faced by San Mauro Mare, a little town along the Romagna coastline, midway between Rimini and Cesenatico. It offers a clean sea with a shallow seabed, protected play areas on the beach and fully equipped green parks where visitors may rest during the warmest hours of the day, besides organized entertainment for both kids and adults on the beach and on pleasant summer evenings. This is the business card of a resort focused on tailormade holidays for children. 2 The family beach has in fact a calm sea caressed by the memories of generations that made it a privileged holiday target. It was the beach for holidays with grandparents, peaceful days with parents and today a place to be enjoyed with ones own children. 1 Tourist Information Offices San Mauro Mare Via della Repubblica San Mauro Mare (FC) Tel Fax Numero Verde info@sanmauromare.net The ideal way to spend a day is clearly to enjoy the beach, the sea and on the beach initiatives. And yet, we suggest that visitors should find the time to discover the rest too. San Mauro is a place of culture: it is the land of Giovanni Pascoli; the house where the poet was born has been a national monument since 1924; it is the landscape mirrored in the eyes of the cavallina storna, protagonist of Pascoli s famous poem, which also relates about the Torre, the magnificent estate formerly owned by the earls of Torlonia. Summer evenings witness the courtyard charged with the suggestive atmosphere of the Giardino della Poesia (Garden of Poetry), of celebrations in the barnyard, of concerts and dramas. And if you long to discover spots hidden away in the hinterland, you can participate in free excursions with food and wine sampling organised by the Municipality Villa Torlonia, splendid setting of cultural events 2. Holidays for kids 3. The beach Not to be missed Excursions Weekly excursions in the hinterland with guided tours on Pascoli s Tracks organised by the tourist bureau with sampling of traditional produce. Fiera della conchiglia The many events number the Fiera della Conchiglia (Shell Fair), Fasèm la Pida, which focuses on typical produce and Comepergioco, the traditional Easter event dedicated to the world of shoes a San Mauro tradition and an absolute must. For children Besides Il Paese dei Balocchi (Toy World), dedicated to the world of children RIVIERA MAGAZINE RIVIERA MAGAZINE - 21

11 Bellaria Igea Marina Strolling along Isola dei Platani Shopping and Concerti all alba (concerts at dawn) at Polo Est. Welcome to Bellaria Igea Marina, the Romagna Coast s best lounge. An ancient seafaring town, today it is a modern tourist resort, which has been awarded the Blue Flag. Bellaria Igea Marina is a child-friendly city developed on a human scale. It stands out for quality, hospitality and safety. 2 A short stroll will immerse you in the vegetation, colours and peaceful atmosphere of Isola dei Platani, the city s pulsating heart where tourists and residents alike meet either on a glamorous shopping spree or to sip an aperitif in one of the many bars, which enliven the area. 1 The historical centre s natural surroundings play the absolute and unquestioned protagonist with both trekking paths and cycle lanes, which run amidst century-old oak, pine and durmast oak trees that rise throughout the Uso river s nature park. Then we find a lake in Parco del Gelso (Mulberry Park) and the 2 km. stretch of white sandy beach along the southern border of Igea Marina the largest and one of the most beautiful free beaches along the entire Adriatic Coast Concert 2. Beach Volley 3. Merry-go-round 4. Old village 4 Tourist Information Offices Bellaria Igea Marina Via L. da Vinci Bellaria (RN) Tel Fax iat@comune.bellaria-igea-marina.rn.it A beach with a dual life and a dual soul: in the day an open air gym for all types of activities ranging from beach volley played on the entire sandy shore to yoga and fitness programmes organised in the Polo Est village area, sailing centres, a sailing school and beach golf, at night shows and music rule the scene till dawn in the new Beky Bay facility, which is a free meeting area. Not to be missed The events Concerts, shows, cabaret, music and theatre events, historical commemorations such as Lo sbarco dei Saraceni (The Landing of the Saracens) liven up summer evenings. The BellariaFilmFestival- Anteprimadoc and Junior Quality Filmmaking Preview, which numbers shows for children, is worth mentioning, besides the extensive choice of sports with national Beach Volley competitions involving matches on the beach from April onwards. Entertainment A new area for music and entertainment at night: Beky Bay. Igea Marina s current meeting spot is directly on the beach: stage, dance floor and catering stalls welcome both tourists and protagonists of the musical and showbiz scene. Casa Panzini The garden of writer Alfredo Panzini s house hosts evening meetings and interviews with famous writers and literary-world celebrities. Marinara Gathering of historical boats in the canal port followed by a parade in the open sea RIVIERA MAGAZINE RIVIERA MAGAZINE - 23

12 Rimini The Fellini capital This is where holidaymaking was born; marina, exhibition centres and movida are Rimini s new look. Why choose Rimini for a holiday? Because lots of people, in a 1 to 10 rating would still give the city top marks. From zero to ten is also the title of Ligabue s film, which is set in the holidaymaking capital and is only one of the many films shot in the city of Fellini. Yes, because besides the wide beaches, the night clubs, the historical buildings, its prestigious Exhibition Centre and its University, Rimini is also known for being the city of one of the world s most famous film directors who, with his film Amarcord conveyed onto the screen what is one of Rimini s best known buildings, the Grand Hotel, opened in 1908 and a meeting place for the cream of international tourism. If you would like to know more, we can tell you that in the Fellini Park area, in 1843, the first bathing establishment saw the light. If you enjoy sailing and need to moor your boat, on the left side of the harbour a new marina was opened in 2002 able to accommodate 680 boats. If on the other hand you are an environmentalist, you might like to know that in 2005 Rimini was awarded a Blue Flag for the fourth consecutive year. 1 A city with roots that go back to ancient Rome, today Rimini offers holidaymakers wide beaches for an active holiday and can also count on the seaside areas of Torre Pedrera, Viserbella, Viserba, Rivabella, San Giuliano Mare, Bellariva, Marebello, Rivazzurra and Miramare. Rimini city centre also boasts lots of unique cultural monuments: the Malatesta temple, the Arch of Augustus, the bridge of Tiberius and the Sismondo Castle. Not to be missed Tourist Information Offices History A walk through the past on the tracks left by twenty centuries of history, from the Tiberius s bridge to the Sismondo Castle, from Piazza Cavour to the Church of San Giovanni Evangelista, from the Arch of Augustus to the Malatesta Temple, and the Civic Museum which recounts Rimini through over one thousand five hundred exhibits. Entertainment The movida in the old town: in the squares and streets behind the Old Fish-Market, every evening thousands of young people convene for an aperitif, a snack, a concert, to read and meet. The Events Cento giorni in festa (One Hundred Festive Days), over 500 summer events liven up the promenade and peak on 5 July with La Notte Rosa, the summer party to rival New Year s Eve. The real New Year celebrations are another excellent opportunity to discover the magic of Rimini in winter and to party throughout the Christmas period, which culminates with Italy s most famous party on Rimini s main square with live music and entertainment. The Events The great Rimini events: from the Rimini Wellness to the Meeting for friendship among peoples, from the Paganello frisbee championship to Children s July, not forgetting the symphony concerts of the Sagra Musicale Malatestiana, the new sounds of Percuotere la mente and the magic of Cinema sotto le stelle and A marena. Rimini Marina Centro Piazzale F. Fellini 3 - Tel Fax infomarinacentro@comune.rimini.it Rimini FS Piazzale C. Battisti 1 - Tel Tel./Fax infostazione@comune.rimini.it Previous page: Tiberio bridge 1. Grand Hotel Rimini, since Rimini, movida between the beach and the clubs RIVIERA MAGAZINE RIVIERA MAGAZINE - 25

13 Riccione Glamour day and night From trendy bars to bike hotels. Riccione, Green Pearl of the Adriatic, is one of Italy s tourist capitals. Towards the end of the last century, the public authorities and private businessmen began designing and building the seaside town we know today, with its tree-lined avenues, villas with gardens, parks and, naturally, hotels. Today Riccione is famous for its trendy bars but also for the wide variety of facilities on offer. It is the ideal holiday destination for families, but also the perfect reference for sports enthusiasts, especially cycling fans, offering some of the best-equipped bike hotels on the Adriatic Coast. Relaxation and wellness characterise the beaches and spa centres, located on the seafront and therefore just perfect for those who wish to combine the benefits of a beach holiday with spa treatments. 1 There is also a lot on offer for nature lovers, thanks to the presence of numerous ecological hotels. Walking along the high class Viale Ceccarini, you can enjoy shopping in its numerous boutiques or enter the welcoming bars and restaurants that make Riccione one of the cult resorts of holidays made in Italy. Tourist Information Offices Riccione Piazzale Ceccarini Riccione (RN) Tel Fax iat@comune.riccione.rn.it Next page: Oltremare amusement park 1. Viale Ceccarini, fashion, tree-lined and always busy This is the birthplace of brand new fashion trends that then spread throughout Italy, with fashion and jewellery shows attended by personalities from the world of entertainment. You re sure to have fun in Riccione, thanks to the various activities offered by the town s theme parks, from the highly innovative Oltremare joined by the technological Imax to the tried and tested Aquafan, from Indiana Golf to Beach Village. Not to be missed The Amusement Parks The latest, fantastic new theme parks: Oltremare with its dolphins, seahorses, nature trails and the rediscovery of our planet s roots; Imax, Europe s largest and most allencompassing film screen; and Aquafan, the number one water park. The Events Special meetings for Italian collectors, with the most important international events in the sector: the International Stamp Fair, the National Numismatic Show and the first event dedicated to electronic cash, the Europa Card Show. Gastronomy Fish restaurants, some of the most famous on the Adriatic coast, where the taste and flavours of Romagna s cuisine, made of fresh, genuine ingredients, combine with the creativity of the most refined chefs. Not forgetting the dishes characteristic of the hills and the inland areas, the wines of the Malatesta hills and the genuine products made inland. The night Breakfast at dawn with hot custard-filled doughnuts, after a night out on the town, along the seafront and in the surrounding hills, in Italy s most famous discos, clubs and bars! 26 - RIVIERA MAGAZINE RIVIERA MAGAZINE - 27

14 Misano Adriatico Full speed ahead For car and bike speed freaks at Misano World Circuit. Surrounded by green hills, Misano Adriatico stretches along three kilometres of coastline between the River Conca and Rio Albarello and, in addition to the numerous beaches, reception facilities and a famous tourist harbour, offers tourists the extensive green areas inland and a nature oasis on the River Conca. 2 1 The beach at Misano could be described as the motor beach, as one of its greatest treasures include Misano World Circuit, a splendid racing circuit built in 1972, where international motorbike and car races take place every year: from September 2007 it will once again host the international motorbike championship too, the famous kermesse, whose protagonists are Valentino Rossi & Co. The main feature of this circuit is that not only the great champions race here, it s open to enthusiasts too; quite simply, the circuit is open to everyone. Numerous foreign tourists come to Misano every year to test this track. Misano World Circuit is also home to the safe driving school directed by Siegfried Stohr, former F1 driver who raced in the 1980 s. Go-kart enthusiasts must not miss Riviera Verde Misano, a circuit made famous by the first biking escapades of Valentino Rossi Marina di Portoverde 2. The characteristic marina of Misano Adriatico 3. Misano World Circuit Tourist Information Offices Misano Adriatico Via dei Platani Misano Adriatico (RN) Tel Fax iat@comune.misano-adriatico.rn.it With the Marina of Portoverde, Misano also makes its mark in nautical tourism: a tower dominates the tourist harbour, which can hold up to 350 boats and is one of the best equipped on the whole Adriatic coast. Portoverde is also the departure point for boats taking tourists on interesting trips out onto the high sea and along the coast. Not to be missed Bay of Portoverde Moor your boat or simply dream, admiring the magnificent crafts in the bay of Portoverde, the tourist harbour with top quality facilities Misano World Circuit A day at the Misano World Circuit to watch one of the many international events, or take part in a safe driving course RIVIERA MAGAZINE RIVIERA MAGAZINE - 29

15 Cattolica Holiday in style Fountains, entertainment in the outdoor arena and diving with the sharks at the aquarium. It is known as the Queen of the Adriatic and has been awarded the Blue Flag a total of eight times. This is Cattolica s visiting card, a town capable of offering its guests peace, quiet and environmental beauty in the outermost district of Romagna, which borders the hills of the Marches region. Renowned since the 18th century, when the first bathers began to make their appearance, Cattolica has undergone redevelopment which has renewed and redesigned the town. Beaches, pedestrian areas, theatre, outdoor arena, musical entertainment, fountains and lights all add life to your holiday. Traces of the old seafaring tradition and the town s roots are displayed in the Museo della Regina (the Queen s Museum). The beach is wide, the sand fine and the seabed slopes gently out towards the open sea, protected by wave breaking rocks. These elements make Cattolica the ideal place for a family holiday with children. The beach has been designed for walking along the coast right by the sea, with wooden walkways which are well lit during the evening to enhance the relaxation of visitors to the town. 1 The beach facilities include space for play, sporting activities and relaxation. There s also space for water sports enthusiasts. The Sailing Club organises sailing and windsurf courses. The many attractions on offer include the Park Le Navi located in the former summer resort opened in 1934, with futuristic architectural elements similar to ships. The structure houses a huge aquarium, with fish and sharks from all over the world. There are also many surprises with shows and particular scenic effects. Not to be missed Tourist Information Offices Arena della Regina The Events The Events Acquario-Parco le Navi Top quality entertainment in the form of appointments with dance, drama, concerts, opera and comedy held in the Arena della Regina and the Salone Snaporaz, as well as a trip to the Museo della Regina, which is home to unique exhibits in the two sections of Archaeology and Marine items. Cattolica in fiore (Cattolica in bloom), the Flower Show held every spring that features Italy s best flower nurseries and transforms the town centre into a sea of colours and fragrances. La Notte Magica delle Vongole (The Magical Night of Clams): a thousand ways to savour clams, is held in the Harbour on the last Sunday of July. The fishing fleet offers clams and wine till evening, when the port turns into a theatre filled with music and the colours of 40 clam-fishing boats, which simultaneously lift the sea to create the longest fountain in the world. The numerous markets that light up an evening stroll, antiques, collector s items, art and charity markets. The craft boutiques where traditional crafts are handed down from generation to generation. Visit Acquario Parco Le Navi. A fascinating journey in the world of the abysses and a unique opportunity in Europe: swim in a tank with 14 sharks! Cattolica Piazzale Roosevelt Cattolica (RN) Tel Fax iat@cattolica.net Previous page: the fontains of Cattolica 1. The Town Hall square 2. Acquario - Parco Le Navi RIVIERA MAGAZINE RIVIERA MAGAZINE - 31

16 PUBBLICITA SPORT

17 The touristic website of Adriatic Coast of Emilia Romagna with all the localities, events and holiday offers and where to book. 31st July 3rd August Riviera Beach Games

18 The beach Safe sea, fine sand Sport and happy hours in the shade of the Blue Flags. La Daphne The water of Emilia-Romagna is probably the closest monitored, inspected and controlled in the world. Every week, all year round, the laboratory boat of the Daphne, i.e.: the oceanography structure of Emilia Romagna (now transferred to the Regional ARPA) runs tests to analyse practically everything: how much phosphor, how much nitrogen, how much dissolved oxygen, how much chlorophyll, how much and what kind of zooplankton, what kind of fauna is present in the water at that moment, from Lido di Volano to Cattolica. The aim? To know, in real time, the state of the sea s health. The bulletin of the results is available to anyone on the Internet. The address is The task force of biologists who look after the Emilia-Romagna sea is based in Viale Vespucci 2, not far from the pretty port of Cesenatico designed by Leonardo da Vinci. It is from here that, every week, at seven o clock in the morning, the engines of the laboratory boat of Daphne 2 start up. The measurements have become more and more sophisticated, explains biologist and researcher Attilio Rinaldi, the operational manager. Today we use marine cameras linked up to satellites to inspect the seabed. Perfect for children and reassuring for mums. But above all creative for everyone. The Emilia Romagna sea, the blue outline to 110 kilometres of coast, can be enjoyed to the full 24 hours a day. The sea is the ideal habitat for dancing, sports activities (sailing, surfing, wind surfing, kite surfing and water skiing), walking, talking, trips out on a pedalò, playing beach volley and beach tennis, activities with the children, snorkelling and now even relaxing, with offshore meditation and yoga on yachts. Obviously you can swim too, if you like! The perfect lounge, and not just because the bed of this fortunate area of the Adriatic is very shallow for metres and metres out from the beach, offering the chance to enjoy so many activities, but, above all, because this mirror of water in front of the Emilia Romagna coast is one of the cleanest in Europe. An increasing number of blue flags flutter over the various towns and strict tests run by the German Automobile Club have concluded that Emilia Romagna has the healthiest sea in the whole Mediterranean area: out of 91 sampling areas, 87 were awarded top marks. So the water is safe. This could also be due to the fact that there are over 800 lifeguards one every 150 metres watching over the safety of bathers. It should also be noted that there are 45 first aid cen- tres open just a stone s throw from the beaches. And in the evening? You can set sail, heading away from the shore to dance to the strains of a live orchestra. Alternatively you can climb aboard one of numerous fishing boats to enjoy the latest craze on the Riviera: holiday fishing. Family Hotels, and exclusive club Book your holiday with Family Hotels and Camping Villages, the exclusive club dedicated to families with children. You ll find the list in the tourist operator pages marked by the Papo logo RIVIERA MAGAZINE RIVIERA MAGAZINE - 37

19 Po Delta Park Nature s wonders Amidst land and sea, piles of salt, eels and flamingos. Paguro the off-shore rig A few miles off the coast, east of Marina di Ravenna (12 to be exact) nature has taken a tragic event and turned it into a tiny piece of marine paradise. the Paguro, an off-shore rig which exploded in 1965 and which, thirty years later, has developed into a biologically protected area. After contacting the Paguro Association ( ) you can dive down below to discover fauna and flora which cannot be found anywhere else in the Adriatic. The wreck - the highest part of which sits 12/15 metres below sea level - offers a home to croakers, sea bream, lobsters, sea bass and saddled bream. It s early morning. I wait for the mist to lift and admire the view: ducks, herons, teals and coots. Surrounded by water and silence. These aren t the words of Lord Byron and not even those of an advertising company with the latest product to promote. They re simply an expression of the feelings aroused by the natural environment that runs along the coast from Ferrara to Cattolica. A territory capable of allowing the coexistence of a huge range of seaside facilities with an unspoilt natural heritage. We suggest you take a trip to discover it: marshlands, pinewoods, natural dunes, saltpans, hills, parish churches, gullies, flora and fauna. A route which comprises the Po Delta Park, with Bosco della Mesola, the Sacca di Goro immediately inland, the Comacchio lagoons and marshlands (remember Giuseppe Garibaldi with Anita dying in his arms as he flees into the mist ), Ravenna s tidal lagoons, the mouth of the Apennine rivers such as the Reno, the Lamone, the Bevano, the Fiumi Uniti and then the Saltpans of Cervia. A real mixture of nature and gastronomy. This isn t just a list of the environmental beauties to be observed, but also an unspoilt excerpt of Italian history, which tourists would be wise not to miss ( Further south and further into the inland areas of Rimini, the Marecchia Valley and the Oriented Nature Reserve of Onferno offer a glimpse of rural antiquity. The caves, gullies, stone dwellings, bats and an extraordinary range of fauna lead to the Naturalistic Museum at the visitors centre ( romagna.it/parchi/onferno). Well inland, miles from the coast, the Apennines show us a new dimension of nature: that of deer and wild boar, parish churches and fortresses. And those who hanker after greenness and tranquillity can head for the hills above Forlì, Cesena or Faenza and gaze out over the vineyards or wheat fields, where a pheasant in flight can always be seen ( RIVIERA MAGAZINE RIVIERA MAGAZINE

20 THE AMUSEMENT PARKS The many parks of the Adriatic Coast Dolphins and roller coasters 24 amusement parks in 60 km. RAVENNA Acqualand Water Park Riolo Terme (RA) Tel Acquaparco Auai Auai Water Park Lido Adriano (RA) Tel Belafonte Minigolf Miniature Golf Pinarella di Cervia (RA) Tel Casa delle Farfalle (Butterfly House) Environmental Education Centre Milano Marittima (RA) Tel casadellefarfalle Parco della Salina Theme Park Cervia (RA) Tel Mirabilandia Theme Amusement Park Ravenna Tel FORLÌ-CESENA Atlantica Water Park Cesenatico (FC) Tel RIMINI Acquamania Ecological Water Park Morciano di R. (RN) Tel Acquario di Cattolica Le Navi Marine Theme Park Cattolica (RN) Tel Aquabell Water Park Bellaria (RN) Tel Aquafan Water Park Riccione (RN) Tel Beach Planet Water Park Riccione (RN) Tel Delfinario di Rimini Theme Park Rimini Tel Eden Park Theme Park Torre Pedrera (RN) Tel Fiabilandia Theme Park Rivazzurra di Rimini (RN) Tel IMAX 2 and 3D cinemas Riccione (RN) Tel Indiana Golf Miniature Golf Riccione (RN) Tel it Italia in Miniatura Theme Park Viserba di Rimini (RN) Tel com Museo dell Aviazione Aviation Theme Park Rimini Tel Oltremare Theme Park Riccione (RN) Tel Palestina in miniatura Theme Park Coriano (RN) Tel Rimini Rimini Rimini Theme Park Rimini Tel Skypark Adventure Park Perticara di Novafeltria (PU) Tel Wander like a modern-day Gulliver among the monuments of Italy in miniature, defy the force of gravity on a breathtaking roller coaster, stroke the back of a dolphin and experience a close encounter with a shark, or even sit behind the wheel of a car and learn to drive like the grown-ups. Lots of different emotions and lots of wonderful memories await your children in the theme parks of the Adriatic Coast. This is a fantastic opportunity to give your children a holiday dedicated to pure enjoyment, giving you the chance to turn back the hands of time and become a big kid for a few days. The area between Ravenna and Riccione houses the highest concentration of amusements and water parks in Italy. The fun journey starts in Ravenna, with Mirabilandia and its record-breaking roller coasters, numerous live shows and the splendid tropical beach, and ends in Riccione with the trio of aces, Aquafan, Oltremare and IMAX: a water park covering 100 thousand square metres, a marine park where you can learn the thousand secrets of nature, while you have fun, and see the biggest cinema screen in Europe. There are countless parks to visit in the middle, from the magic of New Fiabilandia in Rimini to the underwater world of Le Navi Park in Cattolica, visiting the 272 most famous Italian and European monuments reproduced to scale and presented by Italia in miniatura and the Casa dele Farfalle (Butterfly House) at Milano Marittima. Everything is geared towards savings money, with numerous offers that include visits to the Parks and Hotel promoted in conjunction with the accommodation facilities of the Adriatic Coast. The records of Romagna s theme parks Every year the amusement parks of the Adriatic Coast of Emilia Romagna open their gates to 4.5 million visitors, who are amazed by the many attractions offered, from the Katun at Mirabilandia (Europe s longest and fastest roller coaster, measuring 1.3 km long, 50 metres high and travelling at a speed which varies from 110 to 140 km an hour, with 4g acceleration), to the 3 km of breathtaking slides at Aquafan, from the mega screen measuring 600 square metres of IMAX to the 14 sharks who live in the tank of Le Navi park, from the flight simulations held in the cockpit of the Antonov 2 and the AB 47G helicopter at the Aviation Museum in Rimini to the biggest dolphin lagoon in Europe (3,000 square metres) at Oltremare. 1. Parco Mirabilandia 2. Casa delle Farfalle 3. Aquafan 4. Oltremare 5. Italia in Miniatura 6. Fiabilandia 7. Parco Le Navi 40 - RIVIERA MAGAZINE RIVIERA MAGAZINE - 41