Italy – Nature
NATURAL TREASURES
Zingaro Natural reserve
Seven kilometers of unspoiled nature from San Vito Lo Capo to Castellammare del Golfo, in Sicily. Based on a huge natural reserve between the province of Palermo and Trapani, the Oriented Nature Reserve of the Zingaro is one of the very few in Sicily that does not have a coastal road, despite the fact that one had been planned.
Whether you decide to follow it starting from San Vito Lo Capo or from Castellammare del Golfo , know that the breathtaking landscape of the Reserve will accompany you throughout the journey. And if you are unable to plan the entire excursion (about 4 hours in all), it does not matter, because extraordinary views are at every step.
An area of 1650 hectares of calcareous soil, for a coastal strip formed by a rocky coast, interspersed with numerous coves.
Rock and sea. Stone and water. The elements that meet, giving life to a mix of intense and soft colors at the same time. The coves, green-blue and white with pebbles and the red earth, so intrinsically linked to the sea.
A multitude of animal forms populate the territory of the Reserve. The Bonelli’s eagle , a species now in decline, reproduces regularly by laying one or two eggs, and other birds of prey, such as the barn owl and the owl. But the Reserve above all welcomes guests who are passionate about crystal clear waters and, although summer is the queen season for tourists, the Zingaro is, even in the mildest seasons, a place dear to hikers who are passionate about trekking and walking.
Vendicari Natural Reserve
The natural reserve “Wildlife Oasis of Vendicari” was established in 1984 by the Sicilian Region. It’s located precisely halfway between Noto and Pachino (province of Syracuse) with a territory that extends for about 1512 hectares.
Inside the reserve, an entire ecosystem lives undisturbed.
You will frequently find yourself in front of breath-taking landscapes, dense vegetation that suddenly opens to a clear sea, very long and golden beaches, that in a few hundred meters become rocky cliffs and then deep sea.
From the observation cabins, you can admire Flamingos, Herons, and Storks that hang here before reaching the definitive migratory destinations.
Gran Paradiso National Park
Between Piedmont and Valle d’Aosta lies the Gran Paradiso National Park, the first national park to be established in Italy back in 1922. Mountain lovers should not miss it: here the panorama alternates between thick forests and alpine meadows – which are filled with flowers in summer – up to the highest peaks with their glaciers covered in snow throughout the winter. Ibexes and chamois run free, and for those interested in flora, there is also a botanical garden where all sorts of mountain species are cultivated: paradise is at a walking distance!
Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park
The National Park of the Belluno Dolomites extends from the Cismon valley until the Piave valley, and was founded in 1990 to safeguard this territory of enormous natural value, which has already achieved note throughout the centuries for the beauty of its exclusive flora (Vette di Feltre, Monte Serva) and its rarity. Consequently the decision was made to protect its 32000 hectare of ‘stupendous natural panorama’ from winter sport development (hotels, ski-lifts, etc).
The area is now a national heritage site of inestimate worth where, rightly, nature rules. What strikes the most is the large variety of the environment, owing to its ‘inaccessible’ location on the borders of the south-eastern Alps, which in prehistoric times saw the formation of glaciers (the last disappearing over 10000 years ago).
The park encompasses areas of medium and high-range mountains, among which loom the peaks of the Schiarà, the Sass de Mura, the Pavone and the Pizzòn. In addition to its natural attractions, the area is endowed with a rich and diverse culture: the small villages within the zone facing the Piave valley (Feltrino and Bellunese) differ accordingly from those of the Val di Zoldo, which present vastly different characteristics.
