Sea in winter: 4 Italian off the beaten track destinations

Rimini all year round

A favourite destination for Italian and Nordic teens, well known for its brilliant, lively summer season, Rimini has massively invested in trying to extend its seasonal attraction or, at least, in gaining a reputation as a destination for festive holidays.
The name of the New Year’s Eve 2015 programme is symbolic of this:“The never ending New Year’s Eve”.
Many events and parties will light the cold Rimini nights and, though the water may be too cold, a few brave ones will welcome in 2015 by taking a dip in the Adriatic sea.
Save the date: 01.01.15- A swim in the sea, in front of the “Bagno 65” in Torre Pedrera, a few km north of Rimini.
And if you want to warm up afterwards, tea and biscuits will be offered, followed by a hearty and a spaghettata at noon.
Where to stay?Hotel La Gioiosa

A real Christmas village

Scicli, a small town not far from Ragusa in the east of Sicily, is the perfect destination if you want to go to the sea on winter time but don’t want to risk the quick changes in the weather that make even short walks on the beach impossible.
The whole town has been transformed into a Christmas village with lights and decorations on every corner.
Some local buildings will remain open throughout the holiday season and will house special events and exhibitions.
A special “Chistmas village” itinerary has been created by the local community, too: many families have prepared a Christmas Village in unusual locations, with the help of little statues.
The Marinero family has a long tradition of preparing the Christmas village in the “Grotta delle cento scale” (The 100-stair cave), a small passage excavated in the rock, that leads to a water source.
The Baroness Adalgisa Penna will proudly show you her village where some pieces date back to the XIX century.
For more info contact Barbara at info@ragusaospitalitadiffusa.it or tel. +39 3355372142
Our favourite hotel in Scicli is Albergo Diffuso Scicli

A road trip through the hills of Le Marche

The sea in winter…and more if you are heading for Riviera del Conero in the Marche region.
When the weather is good, you can get to walk along isolated sandy or rocky beaches, with only the sea and the person you’re with for company.
Watch out for what the waves bring to the seashore, as it might be a sign for your 2015: a bleached tree trunk? A message in a bottle? Perhaps a big flat stone to keep as a table centrepiece for your next dinner with friends and… tell them the story of when you were walking alone along a picturesque Italian beach.
And if it starts to rain, no problem!
Just take the opportunity to visit the small and enigmatic churches in white stone in one of the many villages along the Riviera.
Our favourite one is Santa Maria di Portonuovo, in Portonuovo: a small white chapel dedicated to Saint Mary the protector.
Where to stay? Acanto Country House

The Salerno lights and the ruins of Paestum…

Though not as popular as the Amalfi Coast, the Cilento area was awarded “Unesco world heritage” status a few years ago.
A stay in Cilento will open up limitless opportunities:

• Shopping in Amalfi: visit the shops while avoiding the summer crowd and see the new trends for Spring/ Summer 2015
• Visit Salerno and its lights: for a few years now, artists and performers have been invited to cover the city streets and main squares with their work. The city shines with a magical atmosphere..
  As well as last year’s 16 installations, five new works have been added:
  Aurora boreale,
  Cenerentola,
  Peter Pan
  Orsa tra i ghiacci
  Gli Angeli.
• The antique ruins of Paestum and Velia>/li>
• La Certosa di Padula, one of the largest religious buildings in Europe.
  Building started in the XIV century and was completed in the XVIII century.
  Info +39 0975 77745/ – 77552>/li>

Your stay in Salerno? Residence Ancora

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