Archaeology handicrafts and science and technology sites to visit Italy

These hills stretch north from the town of Novara (hence their name) and south from Lakes Orta and Maggiore, about a fifteen-minute drive from Gozzano. More a rural area to explore than a tourist attraction in itself, you'll be amazed by the beauty of the villages that dot the area, including Romagnano Sesia, Ghemme, Cavallirio and Borgomanero. Ancient bridges, fortifications, vineyards and rice fields are the main features of the unique landscape of the Novara hills. A beautiful region of Piedmont.

This recently-opened cave has to be earned: a 10-minute drive by car, then as much on foot along a balcony path. Greeted by your guide, you'll receive a caving helmet and set off on your guided tour, a true scientific and historical adventure. The environment once carved out by the underground river is now adorned with pools, stalactites, stalagmites and "draperies", which you discover just a few centimetres from your eyes on a 300 m-long trail. An intimate experience, as close as possible to geology!

Wooden footbridges and staircases lead up to this gorge with its rich vegetation and waterfall. At the top, you're rewarded with a panoramic view of Lake Caldaro. As you approach the Rastenbach Gorge, descending from Altenburg/Castelvecchio towards Lake Kaltern, the atmosphere is suddenly wonderfully refreshing. How reassuring to know that the wooden stairs and bridges are reinforced and properly secured. When you reach the bottom of the 1.5-hour trail (3.8 km), you're greeted by the sun and Lake Kaltern.

The river descends through a long, narrow gorge between Mount Margiani and Mount Omo and plunges with 3 jumps, the last of around 30 metres, forming the famous "Sa Spendula" waterfall. Situated in a natural setting of great beauty, amidst granite rocks and lush vegetation of rockroses and mastic trees, the succession of 3 waterfalls is easily accessible on foot. As for the rest, canyoning enthusiasts will have a field day. The massif is teeming with hiking and mountain-biking trails.

Since 1964, this Italian brand has been offering numerous models. Located in the heart of Chianti, the manufacturer has a 20,000 square meter factory. It designs models that have style. Discover Laika's excellence and its models that combine a nice know-how. You'll sleep like a log in their bedroom like home, very bright, thanks to two maxi-size bays. The new exterior designs, of great aesthetic impact, underline the dynamic line and strong personality of these vehicles.

This archaeological complex is located 13 km from Nuoro going towards Bitti and Orune. It is possible to admire several megalithic circles beyond which begins a vast nuragic settlement of which a polylobed nuraghe, which is preserved on a height of more than 10 meters. To note the presence of a well, or covered sacred spring, and its beautiful dome. The first excavations date back to the 1950s, but they have been intensified since the 2000s. The site has not delivered all its secrets.

The area is rugged, characterized by imposing granite outcrops, shaped by time in a bizarre way and enveloped by shrubs. The tomb and the arch can be reached in 20 minutes by walking along a path that climbs through the scrub. The monument presents the classic planimetric scheme of the tombs of giants: body of the tomb in the shape of apse, covered corridor and exedra in arch. Contrary to other nuragic sites, Barrancu Mannu has the advantage to be isolated and little frequented, what accentuates even more its charm. A beautiful discovery!

A wonderful oasis ideal for all tastes, from lovers of relaxation in nature and romantic atmospheres to sea sports enthusiasts. The marina of Gonnesa is an enchanting stretch of soft, compact sand of a beautiful amber-gold color in the Gulf of Lions (or Gonnesa). The sandy shoreline, wide and more than 3 km long, offers postcard views. Four beaches follow one another like a gentle slit in the rocky coast. Here there is little construction or concrete on the coast, it is wild, windy and we like that!

This Nuraghic complex, located in a forest of holm oaks and chestnut trees, houses an unusual concentration of religious, civil and military structures. The site, in its currently open part, is composed of two tombs of giants and a village that includes the remains of a Nuraghic complex and some huts. This area also preserves the remains of 3 sacred wells and a dwelling area of about 200 huts that has not yet been excavated. Fascinating!

The island's beaches are mainly located on the south and west coasts (where the sunsets are anthological!). The south of the island offers the wildest and least accessible spots by vehicle. Hiking or cycling is an excellent way to discover them.

There's achoice of "equipped" beaches with sun loungers and parasols, lifeguards, kiosks and bars, such as Coaquaddus, Le Saline and Spiaggia Grande.

Repeatedlyawarded the Blue Flag, Maladroxia is an expanse of fine white sand, with pebbled sections, bathed by a crystal-clear sea. The shallow, gently sloping seabed is ideal for families with young children. In addition, thermal waters, already used by the Romans, emerge from the seabed not far from the coast.

There are also wilder spots such as Portixeddu (our favorite beach on the island) and Torre Canai, an Aragonese tower on a small cape facing the main island, offering magnificent panoramic views in an enchanting, sparsely urbanized setting, ideal for breathtaking sunsets.

Cala Sapone is a small beach of pebbles and smooth rock, from which emerge a series of coves to explore on foot. This part of the coastline, teeming with underwater life to explore, is also recommended for underwater fishing and snorkeling. Cala della Signora is a cove enclosed by striking rock walls. Cala Grotta (named after an enormous grotto overlooking the sea) is prized by divers for its emerald-green seabed.

Nido dei Passeri is recognizable by its spiky basalt columns emerging from the waves. Is Praneddas, more difficult to reach, is a rocky arch nicknamed "arco dei baci" spanning a shallow channel that leads to a natural pool. This fantastic pool, around 5 m deep, is renowned for its wealth of caves and ravines, perfect for snorkelling.

Some areas are best reached from the sea, or on foot via often random paths, such as the Portu Sciusciau cove and its great natural arch called Grotta della Sirena.

As for the north and east coasts, they are very popular with windsurfers and kitesurfers.

The archaeological area of S'Arcu 'e is Forros is located on a hill at the foot of the Gennargentu in a wild environment (if we disregard the highway below). It is a set of cult buildings, including at least three temples located in a large village that has been only partially explored. These big temples called "megaron" are characterized by a rectangular plan, unusual in the Nuraghic architecture. The site of S'Arcu 'e is Forros proves to be, to this day, the most important metallurgical center of the Nuraghic Sardinia.

To the south of the temple of Cybele are the remains of a primitive village dating back to the Iron Age (9th century BC). It would correspond, according to tradition, to the village founded by Romulus. So this is where the first Romans lived. The remains of the three huts that were discovered here are among the oldest remains of Rome. To preserve them, they are not always open to visitors. However, we have the opportunity to see the remains of it in summer, the time of exceptional openings.

Did you know that Italy was Europe's leading rice producer? And did you know that Piedmont, and more specifically the area around the town of Verceil (or Vercelli), was the heart of this production? Just an hour's drive south of Lake Orta, you'll find more than 110,000 hectares of rice paddies (perfect for making risotto), creating beautiful, wet, rural landscapes. We'd like to encourage you to explore this beautiful region... and try a dish of rice!