Venetian Riviera, Italy Holiday Review - Avoid in August if possible

Submitted by: Glen
Date of travel: 14-August-2007

I went to the Venetian Riviera in August and let me tell you that it was fantastic the weather, the people and the food all complemented each other. The beach was clean and although there was a lot of sand it was really hard to see it because the beach was just so packed. If you want a spot you better get up early and mark your territory as the beaches over there fill up fast and they stay that way all day. The shopping is classy and the whole area oozes style and you will feel like you are an Italian aristocrat walking around the Venetian Riviera.

Cattolica, Adriatic Riviera, Italy Holiday Review

Submitted by: donna
Date of travel: 24-July-2007

Cattolica, situated on the Adriatic Riviera. Cattolica constituted in fact a pause in the travel for the pilgrims that covered the Bologna-Ancona-Rome route many centuries ago, recalls its roots with pride as a fishing village, were Dante holidayed, and rich Italians escape to in the summer Festival season. Today with some 2km of golden sands sheltered in a small gulf. Safe waters to swim in and clean child friendly beaches to while away the day on. The suburb of busy bustling Rimini, ( hometown of Fellini), neighbouring to Missiano, and Riccione, Cattolica holds a more cosmopolitan feel to it, with the glamour of Italian designer shops set amongst the historic old town features. This is the home town of Alberta Ferretti. Plenty of churches, monuments and ancient relics on display. With a short holiday season, running from June to September, there is plenty going on every evening, in almost every square. Everything from food fairs, flea markets and open air fashion shows, concerts and plays. There really is so much to see and do, but the hard decision is which one to see that night. Or if you prefer you can watch the locals parading by from one of the many restaurants, cafes and bars. With Italian fare being at the top of the menu, you will struggle to find any cuisine from outside the country, as this is a country that truly does believe in promoting its own self worth. Here you will see no ’English breakfast’s or noisy bars. As Italian taste is only catered for. You get the feeling as you make an attempt at the language that you truly are in a foreign country, unlike many of the destinations throughout Europe that cater sole for the brits, looking for Blackpool with the sun. And make sure you sample as many of the different types of Italy’s gelato’s on offer. As Gelatire’s are on every corner. With water melon and supia de inglese being my favourite. The beach front hosting all the usual sea front camaraderie, but if you haven’t been to Italy before, then sampling what’s on offer on just the beach is an unusual but exclusively a Italian thing. As the beach is divided up into different sections, each sectioned owned by a family from the region, all each with there own facilities available, from the usual toilets, games room to some having gyms, sauna’s and swimming pools on them, were you can spy the Italians in all there glory, working out, parading themselves as they like to do, and do so the best. You pay for your sun lounger and get use of all the amenities on offer. Each section even has its own life guards, and children entertainers on hand from dusk till dawn. As if the beach and clear waters wasn’t enough. all day until late in the evening. There is also two free beaches, one situated either end of the bay, each equally clean and safe, but with no amenities on hand. The province of Rimini has many a mini tourist train, which for a small charge takes various routes in and around the province. As well as being on the coastal route from Bologna to Ancona, with fast trains arriving every fifteen minutes, the province has excellent bus service, both being regular and clean. Just make sure that you have your ticket stamped before departing. So what else does Cattolica, Jewel on the Adriatic have to offer? August is the Italian workers shut down month, when it impossible to do business, and Ferrogosto - The feast of August, the roman holiday event. Were the locals of this province go mental on the beach with water games and generally just soaking everyone for this the only time of the year they can get away with this. And the coastal towns come alive with food parties and music galore, serving free wine refills if you just buy the jug made of pot. But be sure to book any accommodation well in advance as in august it is impossible to find anything left. August is also host to the Moto GP. in missano, as if the Ferrogosta doesn’t attract enough people, this event brings ultimate chaos to the roads i