I'm not sure why it has taken us so long to discover Neilson beach clubs, but our week at Baia dei Mori - our first Neilson holiday - met and exceeded all our expectations. We were looking for an...
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Think of activity holidays in Italy and your mind immediately conjures up vivid images of stunning coastlines with sparkling seas, sleepy terracotta villages, chic cities, delicious food, fine wines, architectural wonders, famous artists, fast cars and passionate, friendly people.
From the top to the toe of the famous boot, Italy has more than 7,600 kilometres of coastline. Travel to the far south and you'll discover the little-known region of Calabria. It has a dramatic coastline surrounded by two seas - the Tyrrhenian and the Ionian, deserted beaches, mountain ranges and three national parks. And it's here that we've based our Airone Beachclub
The coastline and hillsides of Calabria lend themselves to a wide range of activities, so it's a great destination for us. Come and grab yourself a little bit of La Dolce Vita with water sports in the beautiful Ionian Sea, cycling through rural hillsides and relaxing beside our gorgeous pool.
If you like the idea of setting off on an excursion during your holiday in Italy, there’s a lot on your doorstep in Calabria. The area has a hugely rich history with ancient archaeological sites, medieval towns, prehistoric caves and UNESCO World Heritage Sites to explore. Not to mention some amazing local bars and restaurants where you can feast on Italy’s famous cuisine to your heart’s content.
At a Glance
Family activity holidays to Italy
Italy is famous for welcoming the bambinos. Family activity holidays in Italy are all about fun in the sun, plenty of delicious food and hopefully an afternoon riposo (nap) or two. Children are doted on wherever they go, and restaurants are well geared up to pleasing families. And let’s not forget our exciting kids’ clubs where children from tots to teens can have a go at new activities and make loads of new friends, while parents enjoy a well-earned break. Will it be the pool, a massage or an adventure? We hate those tough decisions!
Calabria is particularly good for paddle water sports, such as kayaking and stand up paddle boarding, so don’t be surprised if you find your children paddling off from the beach most mornings. The club also has four tennis courts that the kids will be able to enjoy.
Couples' activity holidays to Italy
The land of romance, hey? Well, if you like a little more action on your holiday, we think we’ve found the perfect blend of recreation and high octane. Airone offers a great selection of activities for couples to try, whether you do them together or individually.
Sailing as a couple is enormous fun, and you can’t go wrong with a bike ride for two. And of course, you might find yourselves doing activities individually in the daytime, before catching up on all you learned over dinner and a glass of wine.
For days where you simply want to kick back, our beach is long and sandy, and we have three treatment rooms to test out. The surrounding region of Calabria makes for great exploring on foot.
Activities to do in Italy
Take Italian sunshine, crystal-clear seas and stunning countryside and you’ve got all the ingredients for an incredible outdoor playground. You’ll find plenty of inclusive activities on offer, whether you love water sports or staying on dry land.
The large sandy beach at Airone Beachclub has plenty of space for everyone. Gentle breezes build throughout the day to create the perfect environment to learn and progress your sailing and windsurfing skills, while the turquoise waters are great for kayaking and stand up paddle boarding with a long stretch of coastline to put your paddle skills to the test.
Airone has a large freeform pool with an area marked for lane swimming, as well as a fun children’s splash pool. If you love a game of tennis, you’ll find four brand new courts ready and waiting for you or test your head for heights with a trip to the climbing wall. Or how about heading to the fitness deck to join a range of exercise classes including Zumba, HIIT, Pilates and yoga.
Italy is renowned for its excellent road cycling with smooth roads, rolling hills and medieval villages to entice you into a ride. You can also find some mountain biking trails nearby. Why not borrow one of our fleet of high-spec bikes and join us on a guided ride? You can always fly solo if you prefer, using our handy local Strava routes.
When to visit Italy
As you would expect summer in Italy is lovely and warm, with temperatures in the peak summer months of July and August regularly topping out in the mid to high 30’s. You’ll want to be close to the water when these temperatures top out, so head to the beach and take to the water on a kayak, dinghy or windsurf. May and June tend to offer a more manageable climate, although the sea may still be a little fresh. September days are lovely and the sea is still warm enough to swim in.
For ideal wind conditions, we generally advise to head out onto the water at around midday. If you're just starting out in the water, the breeze is at its most gentle in the morning, easing you into your activity before the conditions pick up at lunchtime.
Culture
Where to start? The Italians have quite a cultural legacy, from the Roman Empire to famous artists of the Renaissance era. From the north to the south the culture is very different and down south in the region of Calabria - where you’ll find Airone Beachclub - the locals like to take it slow.
We think there's an authentic feel that's often lost in well-known regions and glitzy cities. Calabria has a wild mountainous interior, three national parks, and many museums, castles and churches where you can learn about the region’s history. The Pollino National Park is the largest in Italy, and is well worth exploring.
Eating like a local
Italy has a reputation for world class cuisine, that is so much more than pizza and pasta. Every region of Italy has its own take on the Italian staples. In the north polenta, risotto, pork and cheeses are common ingredients. In the south tomatoes are king, as are peppers, olives, olive oil and garlic. Spaghetti and pasta, the foods most people associate with Italy, originate from central regions in the country.
Italians take their food very seriously and love to gather family and friends together to enjoy long, sociable lunches. Most meals start with ‘antipasti’, bite-sized pieces to share, usually cured meats, cheese, and olives. This is followed by ‘primo’, the first course, which is usually pasta or risotto, then ‘secondi’, the main course - meat or fish served with vegetables. Dolce or sweets are then served, usually with coffee.
On the subject of coffee, one thing you will probably never see in Italy is someone drinking a cappuccino with a meal, the locals drink it most of the time for breakfast. After the one milky coffee, locals generally stick to espresso for the rest of the day
Travel info
Language: Italian Currency: Euro Local time: GMT/BST +1 Flight time from UK: approx. 3 hours Visa info: Visa is not required for UK passport holders Additional info: Before you travel visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy for recommendations and advice for your holiday to Italy