The 2018 edition of ‘Guida Blu’ by Italy’s largest environmentalist group, Legambiente, in collaboration with the Touring Club Italiano presented the ranking of the most beautiful and on environmentally friendly Italian bathing areas. In particular, 17 sea areas, and 6 lake ones, obtained the prestigious “five sails” recognition.
The ranking is based on the analyses and evaluations carried out by Legambiente’s schooner, “Goletta Verde”, which for the second year assigns the “sails” to tourist areas, rather than to single resorts. Particular attention is also given to the possibilities of excursions, dives, bike routes, canoe rentals, and places that deserve a special visit, or experiences that will be difficult to forget.
On the first two steps of the podium there are two Sardinian areas ‘Baronia di Posada and Tepilora Park’ (Nuoro) on the Western coast, and Chia (Cagliari) in the South of the island. In third place there is the Tuscan territory of ‘Maremma’ (Grosseto) with Castiglione della Pescaia as the best municipality, followed by Scarlino, Marina di Grosseto, and Follonica. Liguria’s ‘Cinque Terre’ (La Spezia) ranked fourth with impressive locations such as Vernazza, Riomaggiore, and Monterosso al Mare. Ranking aside, the regions that obtained the most 5-sails awards for their seaside tourist area are Sardinia (5), Sicily (4), Tuscany (2), Puglia (2), and Campania (2).
As far as the classification of the five-sails lake areas is concerned, Trentino Alto Aldige is triumphing with Lake Molveno (Trento) crowned as the best, followed by Lake Fiè (Bolzano), and Lake Monticolo (Balzano). Other noteworthy lakes are Lake Mis in Veneto, Lake Accesa in Tuscany, and Lake Avigliana Grande in Piedmont.
Ilona Catani Scarlett