Ken.G

Heavenly beaches, ever-white mountain peaks, green hills and lavender fields - all of this can be found in one place, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. It is a beautiful area located in south-eastern France, right on the border with Italy. Every year, artists from all over the world come here, looking for inspiration among the towns lying on the hills, lavender fields and rocks burnt by the southern sun. It is also a mecca for tourists heading to the Cote d'Azur, vacationers tempted by sunbathing with a view of the Alps. These are not all the advantages of the region, as just an hour from the sea there is a unique, green place.

Maritime Alps

The land of eternal ice, the Kitzsteinhorn glacier (3029 m), is the perfect place for anyone who wants to enjoy the view of over thirty alpine peaks. From autumn to summer, it is a skier's paradise. Over 130 kilometers of ski slopes with all levels of difficulty, more than 50 lifts make this place a Mecca for winter sports fans. The crystal clear waters of Lake Zeller See, one of the cleanest in Europe, offer not only the possibility of swimming, but also a whole range of water sports - from canoeing to surfing. Ice and water are just a fraction of what Zell am See-Kaprun has to offer, arguably Austria's most diverse natural region.

The land of crystal water

Homeland of Valpolicella wine and Padono cheese, a mainstay of separatists (according to an unofficial online vote in 2014, 89% of residents opt for disconnecting from the country) - what region are such opinions circulating about? About Veneto, located in northeastern Italy, famous for the cultivation of fruit, vines and wheat. It is home to the largest Italian tourist centers, with Venice at the forefront. Beautiful beaches and extensive tourist infrastructure have been tempting millions of tourists from all corners of the globe for years. Every town here has its own history. It would be difficult to see them all in one holiday, but it is certainly worth seeing what "little Venice on land" has to show - Portogruaro.

Little Venice on land

In the south of Europe lies a small country considered to be one of the greenest in the world, Slovenia. Almost half of its area is covered by forests, and the other - by arable land. It is a country of underground rivers and caves, a paradise for cavers. The Slovenian land hides over 7,000 caves, including the most famous one located in the village of Postojna (Postojna jama). Another cave, Vilenica, hosts a Central European literary festival every year. As the first in Europe, the cave was opened to mass tourism - in 1633, by the decision of the owner, Count Petazzi, it was made available to the inhabitants of Lokev / Corgnale. Slovenia is a country of five historical lands, including the Prekmurje region, nestled between three countries: Hungary, Croatia and Austria.

The charms of Prekmurje

Located at the foot of Monte Maddalena, the second largest city in Lombardy (after Milan) is a true pearl of the region. Brescia, called the "lioness of Italy", is a rapidly developing economic center, where at the same time great importance is attached to the cultivation of tradition and the history of the region, so that it does not fall into oblivion. It is a city of contrasts, winding streets and a huge number of atmospheric places, perfect for tourists visiting Italy. Today, Brescia is a dynamically developing economic center with history in the background. It may come as a surprise that the city is not too crowded with tourists - even in high season. On the other hand, it makes it a great place for anyone who would like to get to know all the best in this country during their holidays in Italy , but without the disturbing crowds. You can start your tour from the Old Town, surrounded by the remains of city fortifications from the reign of the Venetian Republic. There are countless winding streets waiting for us there, and at every turn there is a cozy cafe where you can taste Pirlo, a combination of white wine, campari and mineral water. There are many squares in this part of the city, but one of them stands out - Piazza della Loggia . It is home to the town hall, a palace with a characteristic roof, and a building that is the center of the city's political, artistic and cultural life. Above the north-eastern part of the city, on a hill overlooking a beautiful view, is Castello . The squat walls and the multitude of fortifications of the castle testify to its strategic importance for the area. At the end of the 19th century, it was taken over by the city and now serves as a museum. On the outskirts of Brescia is the Mille Miglia , a museum dedicated to the famous car rally that starts and ends in the city and runs through the roads of northern Italy (the stop halfway through the race is Rome). The history of the rally dates back to 1927. The Mille Miglia takes place every year and is unique for two reasons - vehicles manufactured before 1957 start in it, and the route is only on public roads.

Brescia - the lioness of Italy

"... is a beautiful, kind, charming and entertaining child, endowed with natural goods, attention, knowledge and love worthy of which the only defect that draws him unfair dislike is that he is lower in height than other Beskidy brothers," he wrote about the Little Beskids Kazimierz Ignacy Sosnowski. He noticed the beauty of the mountain range lying in the Vistula basin, surrounded by its three tributaries (the Biała, Soła and Skawa rivers). This range is 35 km long, 10-15 km wide, and the average height of its hills is only 513 m above sea level. Compared to the Tatra Mountains, the Beskid Mały may be of a meager stature, but it does not prevent it from enchanting more tourists. Every year, it attracts thousands of lovers of mountain nature with the beauty of its landscapes and easy routes. They come from all over the country (and not only) to get to know the beauty of the Beskid Mały Landscape Park, Natura 2000 area - an area where you can see a wolf, lynx, and even a brown bear.

Małe is beautiful, i.e. a trip to the Little Beskids

The Dolomites attract lovers of mountain landscapes with the richness of their beauty. With a variety of climbing rocks, a palette of fantastic colors and ubiquitous contrasts - green meadows right next to steep and raw cliffs. The Dolomites were formed in ancient times, when the Earth did not yet know man. They were born as a result of the powerful waves of the prehistoric Tethys Ocean that today proudly soar skyward like jagged blades. In 2009, this beautiful mountain range was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Since then, it has been under special protection, not only as a rich source of information for geologists, but also as a reserve of unique flora and fauna. It delights with the uniqueness of forms and colors.

Two green hearts of Dolomites

The Eternal City of Rome, located in central Italy, is the destination of millions of tourists every year to see caput mundi (Latin for "head of the world"). This global metropolis, washed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea and wrapped in the Tiber ribbon, has been attracting people from all over the world for years. It tempts them not only with the enormous number of tourist attractions (it is difficult to mention even a fraction of the monuments remaining after antiquity and the Middle Ages). It is a city of two countries (Italy and the Vatican), with a large international airport, an extensive network of highways and a perfectly organized network of high-speed railways. Full of monuments, yet very modern. Thirty km from its center, among the benefits of the 21st century, is probably the first colony of Rome - Ostia .

Wandering city - Ostia

Tyrol is a region historically consisting of four parts, and geographically encompassing territories belonging to two countries - Austria and Italy. Every year, it is a destination for thousands of amateurs of active recreation. The landscapes of the region are perfect for lovers of mountain tourism, alpinism and all kinds of winter sports. In summer, numerous shelters, located on the most interesting high-mountain routes, make it easier for both amateurs and professionals to climb new peaks. For tourists who prefer winter recreation, there are many ski resorts, hundreds of kilometers of slopes of various difficulty levels, served by several dozen cableways and lifts.

The roof of Tyrol

The second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, covered with evergreen macchia, considered by many to be the mythical Atlantis - is Sardinia, which is the destination of thousands of tourists from different countries every year. No wonder: 300 sunny days a year, beautiful seaside resorts, wild mountainous terrain and delicious cuisine are just a fraction of what the island has to offer. Add to that the almost 1,900 km of coastline, wonderful sandy beaches with crystal clear water, all surrounded by wild nature. The proverbial icing on the cake is the Mediterranean climate, characterized by mild winters and hot summers. All this makes Sardinia a great holiday destination all year round for many people.

A light and shadow show in Sardinia

Lido di Jesolo is one of the largest seaside resorts on the northern Adriatic Sea. It is very popular among tourists, especially those who prefer not only blissful relaxation on a deckchair - it will be loved by those who want to make the most of their stay in such an attractive region.

Camping holidays in Lido di Jesolo. Active recreation on the Adriatic Sea

The Friuli-Venezia Giulia region is not only the most Balkan area of the Etruscan country, but also the Italian gateway to Central Europe. The region, torn by many wars in the past, was as important as the center of Italy. It is also the land of two languages: Italian and Friulian, it is a land where the lively Forlan dance reigns, often used by French composers. Trieste is undoubtedly the pearl of the region - the capital city, a typically Italian center, and at the same time with clearly visible influence of its neighbors: Austria and the countries of the Balkan Peninsula.