You’ve seen the treasures of the Renaissance in Florence, marvelled at Rome’s ancient history and been awestruck by Amalfi’s glittering coastline. What next? Italy may be famed for its culturerich cities and breathtaking hill towns, but if you want to experience another side of the country, consider a trip that focuses the rich seam of natural wonders along the length and breadth of the peninsula.
Whether you fancy seeking out bears and wolves in the national parks, hiking along Alpine wildflower meadows, or even volunteering to help the whales and dolphins off the Italian coast, there’s an exciting array of travel opportunities for intrepid nature lovers, and a raft of knowledgeable guides and responsible operators ready to introduce you to Italy’s wilder side.
Wildlife Watching
There are many exciting animal species in Italy, and the Central Apennines – Italy’s ‘wild heart’ – is the perfect place to find them; a magnificent area boasting a rich diversity of habitats, including beech woods, open hillsides and alpine grasslands. offers several trips in the area, including ‘Italy’s Big Five’ (brown bears, wolves, deer, wild boars and chamois); a four-night exploration of the Park (£530), learning about
