Destin-Nation Italy: Best Beaches Along the Mediterranean's Boot
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A A AIt may not be tropical, but Italy is surrounded by the temperate Mediterranean, making for beautiful beaches up and down its three coasts.
Add in the shorelines of Sardinia and Sicily, the country's two largest islands, and it's easily one of the world's greatest beach destinations. (Bonus points for the readily available fresh fish and chilled white wine.)
High season is late summer, when whole cities decamp to the shore and beach chairs sell for a premium-if you're lucky enough to find one vacant. Early summer is a better time to visit, when the water has warmed up but before the crowds descend.
Thanks to a surfeit of regional airports and an excellent rail systems (the trains sometimes run on time) getting to and around Italy is also a fairly early. The Italian attitude, which is at times excruciatingly relaxed, can be frustrating, but chances are that if you get stuck you'll wind up someplace charming.
Mondello Lido, Sicily
Italy's most famous island, Sicily is ringed by beaches, from the wild Vendicari Nature Reserve to sandy stretches near Giardini Naxos. But for its size and scene, the Mondello Lido near Palermo could well be the top choice here. Just five miles from Palermo, the island's capital, it's an easy weekend (and weekday) escape from the city and visitors make for the wide, white-sand beach in droves.
Ample hotels, restaurants, bars and clubs await, and the beach has every imaginable water sport and plenty of space to zonk-out-on-the-sand. Framing the picture is a sort of Sicilian Diamond Head, Cape Gallo, a rocky point jutting north into the Mediterranean and Mount Pellegrino.
Where to Stay: The splendid Hotel La Torre is a short walk from the beach, with ocean-view rooms that will run you $130-210 and a lovely outdoor terrace and swimming pool. The Villa Esperia is a slightly more affordable choice three blocks from the beach with rooms from roughly $100.
Getting There: Many airlines fly to Palermo, but you'll have to connect in Europe from the U.S. Conveniently, Mondello is closer to the airport than Palermo's city center.
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There are great beaches on the Adriatic side also...
July 30 2011 at 11:27 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyJust back from Milan, Florence, Sardinia and Venice.
Bella, Bella!!
Gorgeous scenery in Sardinia!
Great golf course at Tanka Resort in Sardegna !
Nice beaches, but people have been there before...
June 06 2011 at 1:04 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI've been to Italy many times and always find something or someone beautiful to look at. The beaches, the countryside, and the old cities are wonderful to explore. There is something to be said for old world charm. And many of the young Italian men are stunning to look at and very charming.
June 06 2011 at 11:48 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replylooking for really are the best beaches in the world
June 06 2011 at 10:13 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replytake note of the chemtrails in the sky :(
June 06 2011 at 2:19 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replygreat info- great photos - thanks!
June 05 2011 at 10:36 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyVisited Cinque Terre 2 years ago. Amazing views...each one more breath-taking than the last. Each of the 5 towns have something different to offer. Your pic showed an overwhelming busy beach. When we visited the exact spot of your pic, it was May 2009...and there were no crowds. Just beautiful beaches to walk and enjoy. The people we met from all over the world were just enjoying a peaceful, beautiful place. Actually is awe-inspiring, with the color of the water changing depending on where you are, but it's all very beautiful blues ranging to turquoise. So glad we had the chance to visit our daughter in Italy...and she introduced us to this place like none other! From Texas
June 05 2011 at 10:33 PM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down Replymy parents from messina sicily.....im on my way...looks great
June 05 2011 at 10:13 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThere are many beautiful places to visit. Personally, I say BOYCOTT ITALY due to their unjust legal system which has wrongfully convicted Amanda Knox. Also, there is another case where a US child has been held in an Italian orphanage for several years. Italian Government refuses to give the boy back to his father, also a US citizen who, In the USA, has full custody of his son. Sorry, no Italian vacations for my family!!
June 05 2011 at 10:12 PM Report abuse Permalink -1 rate up rate down Replyfor your info italy has one of the best legal system in the world
if you did the crime you will do your time it bothers you that amanda was found guilty maybe you dont know all the facts but im sure the italians legal prosecutors know more than you do ciaooooooooooooo
I agree - I'd rather to go Greece. Just like Italy as far a natural beauty and the sea, but it's even better - you have the Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea.
June 06 2011 at 1:08 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHot 5 Deals
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