Millions of people around the world dream of visiting Italy, with all its cities of art and natural landscapes and try the countless delicacies of its famous culinary culture. This mass tourism however is extremely noxious for the environment and for the balance of the country in general, for this reason, I chose to give you, in this article, some advice to discover Italy in an alternative and sustainable way, while enjoying to the fullest every aspect of the journey. At the end of the article, you will also find some ideas for eco-friendly activities to do during your holiday, in the cities as well as in the mountains!
How to move sustainably
Let’s start with the first suggestion concerning the means of transport. The best way to move through Italy in a sustainable way is to use public transport. The train, for example, emitting a very low quantity of CO2 is more eco-friendly than the car.
Travelling by train allows you to actually help the environment, moreover, it also allows you to enjoy the wonderful and different italian landscapes flowing out the window. There are many itineraries to discover Italy by train in every season of the year, so what better time than this fall to experience the Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway in Piedmont and see the Val Vigezzo wrapped in the colors of the foliage.
For the more athletic ones, there is the possibility to move on foot, following specific hiking paths, or by bicycle, cycling on some of the best Italian cycle paths. Talking about hiking paths, there are many of them in every Italian region and of different levels of difficulty. For example, the Via degli Dei, which connects Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany, crossing the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, starting from Piazza Maggiore in Bologna and arriving in Piazza della Signoria in Florence. By moving on foo,t you will completely eliminate the CO2 emissions, making your journey totally eco-friendly, moreover following this path you will have the chance to visit two of the greatest italian cities.
Moving by bike is also a very altruistic choice for the environment. If you want to discover the northern part of Italy, you can traverse the suggestive Val Venosta Cycle Route, starting in Graun im Vinschgau on Lake Reschen, famous for its submerged steeple, and ending in Merano.
Even rest can be sustainable
An extremely important aspect of every journey is the accommodation; even in this case, there are some precautions we can take in order to choose an eco-friendly accommodation. By choosing an unconventional lodging, you will reduce environmental impact, and you will also be able to discover and live personally the culture and the different traditions of Italy. For the most traditionalist ones, there are many eco-friendly hotels, offering the typical comforts of the ordinary ones but with a special attention towards sustainability.
As for what concerns the so-called unconventional accommodations, you can consider staying in an agritourism, in that way you will support the local activity, they are often managed by local families, and you will also be far from the most touristic and chaotic places.
Other solutions, if you really love nature, are camping, perfect, especially if you choose to travel on foot or by bicycle. If you are traveling with children, you can consider staying in a tree house, it could be the perfect occasion to immerse yourself in the unique landscapes of Italy in a sustainable way. One of them is located in Lazio and it’s surrounded by beautiful lavender fields.
Savor Italy in a sustainable way
Here we come to the essential point of a journey to discover Italy, food. Even the culinary experience can be satisfying and sustainable at the same time.
An easy way to combine these two aspects is to buy groceries in local markets. You will be able to buy Km0 products, eliminating the CO2 emissions we would have with their carriage, and you will also eat healthier and delicious foods. Moreover, you will also support the local farmers and producers. Just imagine yourself walking and shopping at the famous Ballarò Market in Palermo, overwhelmed by an explosion of unique colors and tastes.
If you don’t want to cook, don’t worry, there are many restaurants offering typical dishes cooked with Km0 groceries, which allows you to have a healthy and sustainable culinary experience. For those who love wine, there are even some winemakers offering tastings of their organic wines combined with local products.
Have fun all around Italy in a sustainable way
A sustainable holiday doesn’t mean a boring one, as you can maybe think! There are many activities, family-friendly, to do respecting the environment, in the mountains as well as in the cities and in each Italian region.
In the mountains, you can visit a farm offering some workshops, so that both adults and children can get their hands dirty and experience the local culture. Moreover, they will learn the importance of protecting the environment and the animals for the ecosystem.
Alternatively, there are some expert guides who propose excursions or walks into nature to discover the local flora and fauna. Children will enjoy identifying plants and animals.
For those who prefer to discover Italian cities and have a passion for art in all its shapes, there are often cultural initiatives supporting local communities. Otherwise, you can even take part in a cycling tour of the city!
Here we are at the end of this article (but at the beginning of your eco-friendly journey to discover Italy!). I hope you can find many useful tips to discover Italy in all its shades while protecting its territory and its natural diversity, which make Italy so unique in the whole world.
