Ideas for spending Easter Monday among villages, lakes and hills away from the chaos.
Easter Monday is often organized at the last minute: we start, we choose a direction and we
decides along the way where to stop. For this reason, those territories that are ideal
allow you to move easily, combining short excursions, breaks and visits without
having to plan every detail. In Italy this balance is found above all far
from the most crowded places, among hills, lakes and natural areas.
In southern Piedmont, between the Langhe, Roero and Monferrato, the landscape is crossed
from a continuous network of secondary roads and routes between vineyards. Here the day flows
without mandatory stops: you can start from a village, climb towards a panoramic point –
La Morra is one of the most frequented – and continue towards centers like Barolo or Neive. I
differences in level are generally moderate and the reduced distances allow for more stopping
times along the way, even for an outdoor break.
On the other side, on the water, Monte Isola completely changes pace. You get to
ferry and you move without traffic, along a loop of about nine kilometers. The tour
of the island can be done on foot or by bicycle with relative ease. Who wants to reach the
Sanctuary of the Madonna della Ceriola, at the highest point of the island, must instead
tackle a more challenging climb, rewarded by a wide view of the lake. The villages along
the shore, like Peschiera Maraglio and Carzano, mark the route with piers,
small squares and quiet views.
Further south, in Lazio, Lake Bolsena is suitable for a day without long
movements. The basin, of volcanic origin, is surrounded by centers that can be reached in
a few minutes: Bolsena, Capodimonte, Marta. The lakefront is walkable, with
flat and continuous stretches. You can alternate walking with visiting the historic centers or
stop along the beaches and equipped areas. During periods when the service is active, you
can also move by boat to the islands of the lake.
In Tuscany, the Val d’Orcia is meant to be crossed slowly. The streets
They directly connect villages such as Pienza, San Quirico d’Orcia and Montalcino. Yes
can leave the car and walk along the roads, or stop at viewpoints
along the main road. The routes do not require specific preparation and
allow you to organize the day by alternating short walking sections, stops and
rapid movements between one centre and another.
Towards the Adriatic, the Po Delta introduces a completely different landscape, more
open and flat. Here the main activity is to move along the embankments, by bicycle or
on foot, without differences in level. There are marked itineraries and observatories for the
birdwatching, easily accessible. Boat excursions allow you to enter the
canals and in lagoons. The Comacchio Valleys are one of the most convenient access points,
with organized routes and guided tours.
Entering the South, the Murgia Materana Park changes scenery again. The land
becomes more irregular and the paths follow the edge of the ravine, connecting caves,
rock churches and viewpoints overlooking Matera. It can be accessed from different
entrances, including that of Murgia Timone, and follow marked itineraries of different
length. Guided tours allow you to delve deeper into the rock sites, while the sections
free can be traveled independently.
Staying in the Mezzogiorno, the Cilento National Park allows you to choose between
coast and inland areas. Along the coast, between Palinuro and Marina di Camerota, are
paths that follow the sea line and connect coves and stretches of scrub
Mediterranean. Inland, the routes pass through woods and small towns, with
possibility of combining several stages on the same day.
Finally, in Puglia, Alta Murgia is an open territory, marked by linear paths. The
territory is crossed by sheep tracks and paths suitable for walking and cycling, without
significant slopes. The main access points are located near Altamura and
Gravina in Puglia. During the day you can alternate nature trails with
visit of historic centers.
On Easter Monday the day takes shape step by step, more because of what happens
along the way that for the plans made at the start.