These Are Italy's Thrilling Extreme Sports (Part: II)

If you are a thrill-seeker that is planning a trip to Italy, you may be looking forward to the relaxation, great food and culture but you might also want to squeeze in some adventure as well and, in that case, you have chosen the right destination! Italy's varied and beautiful landscape makes it the perfect place to enjoy many different extreme sports that are bound to get your heart racing. From tall cliffs to snowy peaks and raging rivers to deep seas, the ingredients for an adventure are all over Italy. Continuing on from our last post, here are some more of the extreme sports and incredible experiences that await in Italy.

4. Marmore Falls

Marmore Falls is a man-made waterfall in Umbria that was created by the ancient Romans in 271 BC. It is one of the tallest waterfalls in Europe and the tallest man-made waterfall in the world. There are plenty of routes for hiking and walking in the area and these are recommended for taking in the fairytale-like beauty of the falls.

However, if you are interested in a more adventurous experience of the falls, there are various companies in the area offer rafting on the river, which stretches for over three kilometers along fourth degree rapids. Beginners and experienced individuals alike are welcome with the only requirements being the ability to swim and good health. There are also easier versions available so that children can join in, as well as canyoning (traversing the mountain by ropes, sliding on toboggans and diving into pools below), canoeing and hydrospeed (a flotation device you hold on to and which allows you to be flung about on the current of the river). Just find a villa with pool in Umbria and discover this beauty for yourself.

5. Cortina d'Ampezzo

Cortina d'Ampezzo is a fashionable ski resort town located in the Veneto region of Italy, just a two hour drive from Venice. It has been a winter sports mecca since the 1930s and even played host to the first Italian Winter Olympic Games in 1956.

Known as the “Queen of the Dolomites”, it is one of the best-known ski resorts worldwide and hosts international sports events annually such as the Alpine Ski World Cup, the Tour de Ski, ice hockey and curling championships, and Cortina Winter Polo. Scenic and lovely, it is well-equipped for skiing with a system of modern ski lifts and snowmaking capabilities that cover 90% of the slopes and which guarantee a ski season that stretches from November to April. In particular, there are great facilities for younger or newer skiers that might be a little more cautious or unstable. There are nearly 140 km of slopes and, due to its location on a broad meadow in the Ampezzo valley, between vast craggy mountains, it is sunny with great visibility. There is also quite a few different activities to choose from as well as Alpine skiing, including freeride, ski mountaineering, Nordic ski, snowboard, ice hockey and much more. It is, therefore, an excellent location for any winter sports enthusiasts and, while beginners are catered for, thrill-seekers in the group will also be satisfied. Just find a vacation rental in Veneto and check it out.

For even more extreme sports, thrills and adventures in Italy, be sure to read on to the following posts in this series.