Sitting in the basement of Bussolengo library, rain beating at the window, I found it hard to work out what was going on between Herma and Ian – but then again they hadn’t been too sure themselves. Wavering between recrimination and self-reproach, commitment and cold feet, she was second-guessing his second guesses, at impossible distances of space and time. It had taken fifteen weeks for his break-up letter to reach her, and of course her reply wouldn’t arrive at all. Unable to talk things over, Herma didn’t know what to think or say or do. She simply said that she wanted to leave things as they were for now. She had a vision of the future, but wasn’t sure exactly how Ian fitted into it. I don’t want to give you lots of hope now. When the war is over – it might be soon, or also not – you might have changed. I, too. If I should not love you any more you would understand then of course that I could not marry you … Believe me, Ian, we are not the only ones with trouble like that, there will be hundreds of others. More by this contributorMalcolm Gaskill17 April 2025 Newsletter Preferences This site requires the use of Javascript to provide the best possible experience. Please change your browser settings to allow Javascript content to run. HomeDestinationsInterestsTop Places to Travel by MonthSearchMenuBest time to go to Italy A mix of Mediterranean food and culture with Alpine traditions Save Visited Rate Review ShareBolzano Christmas MarketAosta Christmas marketBolzano Christmas marketBolzano Christmas MarketComo Christmas markets are a new tradition brought from Northern Europe but some regions offer a more authentic experience the South Tyrol region next to the Austrian border boasts many historical and established Italian Christmas markets against the backdrop of breathtaking mountains Bussolengo Christmas Village in the province of Verona This tradition began in 1996 and the area covers over 7,000 sq m of indoor space The village impresses with the lavish Christmas decorations The most awaited of all events is the dinner with Santa Claus usually held every Thursday and Friday between late November and mid-December hosts one of the most picturesque markets—the Marché Vert Noël Over 50 chalets offer sweets and pastries from the region The Aosta Christmas Market is also famous for handmade candles and soap There is also clothing made from natural fabrics like wool and felt the region is also known for its beautiful lace This market takes place at the archaeological site of the Roman Theatre The town of Bolzano in Trentino-Alto Adige in South Tyrol hosts a Christmas Market famous all over Italy With the picturesque snow-capped Rosengarten Dolomites surrounding the medieval town it's hard to imagine a better Christmas destination Bolzano Christmas Market (Bozner Christkindlmarkt) is brightly decorated with traditional garlands and lights Bolzano Christmas market offers handmade wood and glass gifts you can check out Christmas markets in Merano Tyrol town of Trento is home to a magical Christmas Market with a cozy and festive atmosphere About 100 wooden chalets cover two medieval squares: Piazza Fiera and Piazza Cesare Battisti Local craftsmanship will show their best products and gastronomy Try delicious local specialties such as treccia mochèna pastry The town of Pordenone in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region features a large Christmas market with concerts Check out the life-size nativity scene with hand-carved wooden statues and other attractions on Piazza XX Settembre and Corso Garibaldi in Pordenone Another place to check out during the Christmas season is Como's Città dei Balocchi (City of Toys) from late November until early January For over a month the city transforms into a fabulous nativity town entertaining both kids and adults Christmas Market in Cavour Square and Plinio Street The main festivities traditionally begin on Christmas Eve with the arrival of Santa Claus in Piazza del Duomo The last celebration takes place on Epiphany Day again in Piazza del Duomo when a mythical old lady Befana descends from a rooftop You currently use an outdated internet browser. You can upgrade to a modern browser or use the Google Chrome Frame to optimize your viewing experience Both Parking operators and drivers in the cities of Bussolengo Ottaviano and Pietrelcina can now enjoy the many benefits of the EasyPark App for blue line parking Residents and tourists in Bussolengo and Ottaviano wanting to use blue line parking can pay using the EasyPark App Drivers who use the parking areas marked with blue lines can now choose between paying for parking via the parking meter or with the EasyPark App Those who choose the EasyPark app will save time and money because through the app they can extend or stop parking time.  “The introduction of an innovative system in the province of Verona […] is of great satisfaction especially because Bussolengo is the first village in the province to use it […] we chose this innovative and convenient service and we are sure it will be useful for drivers and will also help them save.” many tourists and pilgrims visit the hometown of Padre Pio and the municipality’s addition of a mobile paid parking service will make the parking experience convenient and affordable “Our App is simple to use and intuitive allowing drivers to pay for parking directly from their mobile phone [The EasyPark App is] a system that makes life easier and reduces stress Our thanks go to the municipalities and the local parking operators  who have decided to choose our service proving recognition of the new logic of the smart city."  The introduction of the mobile paid parking solution is the first step towards a smarter city municipalities will be able to reduce the costs and effort of maintaining parking meters and handling coins the EasyPark app brings parking in these cities into the digital era by offering drivers a parking solution in a platform they know and one that can be used throughout Europe The EasyPark app is already in use in 80 Italian cities such as Rome Verona and Catania as well as hundreds of other European cities.  died at 49 in the Natura Viva Park in Bussolengo Judy, the oldest chimpanzee in Europe surrounded by her chimp troop in a nature park in Italy Judy died at age of 49 in the Parco Natura Viva in Bussolengo on Aug Her genetic line continues through her daughter Park members described her as a member of the troop that always gave support to other female members and was socially aware often keeping her distance when dangerous situations arose The park staff shared the story of Judy’s final morning at the park They said she woke up and had breakfast before taking a short nap in the shade and they walked a short distance before she laid down underneath a tree The troop soon noticed that something was wrong and park officials noticed several chimpanzees trying to wake Judy thinking that Tommy was trying to attack Judy but Tommy refused to let go and dragged Judy back into her cage The troop then got hold of Judy and dragged her body to Marco Marco attempted to get the troop members to return to their cages Marco realized she was not breathing and called a veterinarian head of the research and conservation sector of Parco Natura Viva said Judy’s eyesight had gradually worsened with age Judy belonged to the common chimpanzee species, which are on the International Union for Conservation of NatureRed List of Threatened Species The species is native to the savannah of tropical Africa where its biggest threats are habitat loss According to a press release from Zero Motorcycles the company has extended its ‘Go Electric’ promotion through June 30 these exceptional discounts now include the 2024 model year making it an ideal opportunity to join the electric movement and enhance your riding experience These special deals are available only for a short period and while stocks last Visit a participating Zero Motorcycles dealer today (see list below) This work, Out & About: Christmas markets and events in Italy - 2019, by Laura Kreider, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright With the third edition of the WBSC Premier12 beginning on Saturday the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) announced that the fourth edition of the international competition will take place in 2027 and feature 16 teams Commenting on the expanded Premier12 format WBSC Chairman Riccardo Fraccari said: “From 2027 more countries will participate in the WBSC Premier12 providing more opportunities globally and expanding the Premier12 brand for the future All of our marketing partners and key stakeholders have welcomed the proposed changes and we are confident that fans will appreciate the presence of more teams.” (Photo of WBSC Chairman Riccardo Fraccari unveiling the Premier12 trophy courtesy of WBSC) Reserved area Transparent Federation Privacy policy Copyright © 2022 FIBS (Federazione Italiana Baseball Softball) - Viale Tiziano 74 This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial - Share with same attribution 4.0 (CC BY-NC-SA) which is available on the Internet many certifications guarantee what is said: TUV Austria Ok Compost for the compostability of materials Hanse Control® for the compatibility of capsules when used with Nespresso® machines Pellini Caffè is also the only Italian roasting company to have obtained BRC certification with the maximum AA+ score MILAN — We receive, and gladly publish, an open letter from Dr Marco Pellini, President and CEO of Pellini Caffè S.p.A. one of the most important coffee roasters in Italy based in Bussolengo in the province of Verona Dr Pellini tackles a hot topic – coffee capsules Here is what Dr Pellini writes about capsules we are all much more sensitive to the pollution issue that is hurting our planet we are not often very aware of the fact that we can deeply impact on pollution reduction in a positive and consistent way Let’s talk about recycling and compostables for example Recycling materials is certainly a virtuous and irreproachable behaviour to reduce pollution compostables avoid the necessity to produce and use additional energy to recycle the material itself by using materials that have zero impact after use in its search for the “simplest” most natural things and that makes it “special and unmistakable” like its self-protected compostable capsules a technologically advanced but eco-friendly product This is an economically demanding and productively challenging choice but advantageous for the consumer and above all for the environment A perfect espresso from all points of view: colour because the unopened capsule can be disposed of directly in the wetlands Using these capsules becomes an ecological ethical and above all concrete choice in limiting the use of energy which is indispensable in the various steps of recycling a voluntary certification attesting the value of the management method in maintaining the highest standards in terms of food safety and hygiene Sign up for our daily Newsletter and stay up to date with all the latest news You are receiving this pop-up because this is the first time you are visiting our site You are using software which is blocking our advertisements (adblocker) we are relying on revenues from our banners So please disable your adblocker and reload the page to continue using this site.Thanks A solution to the kiwi's decline could found in a rootstock several field tests have been conducted and the first positive results have been achieved on plots where the replanting of Hayward had been unsuccessful Ceradini will also be able to supply plants that have already been grafted onto plants ordered this period "We have achieved this goal - explains Massimo Ceradini of Kingfruit and B&C Nurseries - by making significant changes in the management of the orchard water usage and fields with a convex section by starting to use a rootstock developed in China and commonly used in New Zealand in difficult soils that we have renamed SAV1 "After having planted it in a strong mortality zone The rootstock's root structure is important and it develops vertically (tap-root) a characteristic that makes SAV1 particularly resistant to water pressure and stagnation as well as being suitable for heavy soils and clay Aware of its characteristics and the outcome the Ceradini group has decided to diversify its nursery by also breeding the SAV1 The images reported here show Jintao varieties grafted on SAV1 by the company Girelli Marco of Bussolengo and kiwis obtained by the company that this year could finally start producing again after many failed attempts Ceradini also asserted that: "We encountered problems with implantation in varying percentages from farm to farm and noted that water management and crop care are key to achieving the best results we can supply pre-grafted plants for the coming year By purchasing plant material with these characteristics entrepreneurs can benefit from enormous management advantages and reduce the technical risks associated with grafting in the fields Girelli Marco farm from Bussolengo (Verona) "SAV1 is a real opportunity to face the kiwi's decline and a good starting point to think to set up future plants in the right way" actinidia is still one of the few crops that are economically interesting for farms that are experiencing a very difficult time The phytosanitary crisis known as "moria" is certainly the most complex obstacle to overcome in order to restart kiwi cultivation in Italy moria is expanding to many domestic growing areas such as Piedmont The symptoms of this pathology are defoliation Contact and information:Massimo CeradiniCeradini GroupPhone.: (+39) 045 8510268Email: [email protected]Website: www.ceradinigroup.com FreshPublishers © 2005-2025 FreshPlaza.com In my childhood, a generation before Malcolm Gaskill’s, the difference between the weight attached to 31 October (barely noticed, if at all) and 5 November (eagerly anticipated weeks in advance) was probably even greater than it was for him (LRB, 7 November) The gradual acquisition of a personal hoard of fireworks was an essential part of preparation a Huddersfield firm with a virtual monopoly of retail outlets in nearby Halifax although we would have known what ‘Bonfire Night’ meant The fifth of November was ‘Plot Night’: the numerous pyres built and keenly protected on waste ground and unadopted streets were ‘plots’; the combustible materials that went into them were ‘plot’; and the process of accumulating these over the preceding weeks – whether through doorstep solicitation or raids on rival pyres – was ‘plotting’ Carried out in small groups under cover of dark without adult involvement And even though the fire on the night would probably be ignited by someone’s dad and the ‘plot toffee’ and potatoes for baking in the embers produced by the mums Plot Night fifty or more years ago was an occasion when the gratification of children was paramount; they effectively ran the show Being of Malcolm Gaskill’s generation, I recognise his vivid evocation of 1970s back garden fireworks evenings (LRB, 7 November). However, decades later, I find myself siding more now with the protagonist of Naomi Shihab Nye’s poem ‘No Explosions’, quoted here in its entirety: To enjoyfireworksyou would haveto have liveda different kindof life. This site requires the use of Javascript to provide the best possible experience Please change your browser settings to allow Javascript content to run World-renowned head coach and former Team USA head will assist the Team Italy coaching staff as special advisor just in time for the which the defending Euro champion Italian softball squad will host in Friuli Venezia Giulia from June 27-July 3 “I am very excited to work with the Italian National Team in their preparation for the European Championships and ultimately their journey to Tokyo and participation in the Olympic Games This is a great opportunity to give back to the game that has been so good to me over the past 40 years and also pay tribute to my Italian heritage and their former National Team coach Looking forward to helping and advising the excellent coaching staff that they have in place anyway I can!”  Mike Candrea will send Team Italy off to the  with hopes his winning ways will rub off in the international competition In addition to coaching the eight-time national champion University of Arizona Wildcats he also coached Team USA to an Olympic gold medal in Athens in 2004 and a silver medal in Beijing in 2008 Recognizing his invaluable contribution to Mike Candrea was presented with the United States Olympic Committee's prestigious award As a way of honoring his ancestral heritage and Italian family roots Mike Candrea has embraced the opportunity to work with Team Italy He already has indirectly been on the job as one of his current Arizona Wildcat players is a member of the Team Italy women’s softball squad After coaching five years at Central Arizona College and winning two NJCAA national championship titles Mike Candrea has enjoyed more than three and a half decades of unparalleled success at the helm of the University of Arizona softball program He has been named National Coach of the Year four times and has received six Regional Coach of the Year honors Mike Candrea owns a 1,664-429-2 (.795) coaching record to date at the University of Arizona Having won close to 1,700 games and eight national championships as well as appeared in 23 Women's College World Series University of Arizona head coach Mike Andrea brings a high standard of excellence to Team Italy He was inducted into the National Softball Hall of Fame in 2017 the legendary coach was inducted into the NFCA Hall of Fame in 1996 the Central Arizona College Hall of Fame in 2009 and the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame in 2019 The Blind Baseball International Cup is the first-ever blind baseball event sanctioned by the WBSC The championship trophy and medals will have the name of the tournament and the inscription “Cup Champions” in both printed and braille text The first edition of the international event will be held in Beek Host the Netherlands will be joined by Germany and USA in Group A Team Italy will compete in Group B with France and Great Britain The top two finishers in each group will advance to the semifinals and the winners of those games will clash for the WBSC Blind Baseball International Cup title The opening round and the semifinals will take place on Saturday The bronze medal game and the championship final will follow on Sunday BLIND BASEBALL INTERNATIONAL CUP SCHEDULE AND RESULTS AIBXC, THE GAME AND THE RULES IN ENGLISH are lobbying to have the sport recognized by the International Paralympic Committee AIBXC founded the first national blind baseball league in Italy The organization now promotes the discipline worldwide The AIBXC in conjunction with the Dutch Federation KNBSB are providing the technical management of the event as well as the equipment and qualified personnel Federazione Italiana Baseball Softball (FIBS) is also supporting the tournament by providing all the scorers and umpires as well as two Italian team selections that will play a demonstration game on Saturday Below is the list of players called up and the technical staff of the Italian national team: Below is the list of Italian Umpires and Scorers as well as the AIBxC staff members who will participate in the event: (Photo of the Blind Baseball International Cup medals that will be awarded courtesy of WBSC) Team Italy Baseball5 manager Maurizio Balla has one more opportunity to train and strategize with his 14 players in Pesaro on Sunday, October 20, 2024 prior to the start of the Youth European Baseball5 Championship which will follow the new WBSC rules implemented to the international competition "For the first time our team will have to deal with the new regulations already adopted at the 2023 U18 World Championship which requires three males to be fielded in the first set We have been working on this innovation for some time It would have been better to have the possibility of calling up ten athletes to avoid having to lose a set due to the lack of players.” who ventured down to the Dominican Republic after signing a contract with the Philadelphia Phillies “I am very sorry that Filippo is no longer with us because someone with his skills cannot be replaced he is used to playing at a high level whatever he does.” In regards to his goals for Team Italy in the Youth European Baseball5 Championship France and Spain will likely be better than us Manager Maurizio Balla will be supported by coaches Simone Perazzini and Paolo Vannini YOUTH EUROPEAN BASEBALL5 CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE Equipped with a powerful roster capable of taking down the game’s elite Italian manager Enrico Obletter will put his resilient softball squad to the test when Team Italy (ranked #10) clashes against top-ranked USA at Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium on July 22 Host Japan (ranked #2) plays Australia (ranked #8) earlier in the Olympic softball opener at 9 am while Mexico (ranked #5) takes on Canada (ranked #3) at 3 pm Team Italy returns to Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium for a battle against Australia on July 23 at 3 pm before getting a day of rest the following day when the Olympic Opening Ceremony takes place The international softball competition moves to Yokohama Baseball Stadium where Team Italy plays two games under the lights The first contest is against Japan on July 25 at 8 pm followed by another nightcap against Mexico on July 26 at 8 pm Team Italy concludes round-robin play against Canada on July 27 at 2:30 pm The battle for the bronze medal takes place on July 28 at 1 pm while first pitch for the gold medal match is scheduled later that night at 8 pm After beating France 19-8 on opening night of the U15 European Baseball Championship at Steno Borghese Stadium in Nettuno Team Italy lost to undefeated Germany 8-6 on July 17 The Germans dominated early scoring six runs in a first-inning offensive blitz Germany tacked on one earned run in the top of the second inning and an unearned run in the top of the sixth inning Azzurri starting pitcher Riccardo Nepoti lasted only 1.2 innings and surrendered seven earned runs before Team Italy U15 manager Roberto De Franceschi replaced him on the mound with Leonardo Belardi who allowed no earned runs during his stellar 4.1 innings of relief Reliever Matteo Colalucci closed out the game for the Italians Germany starter Paul Schmitz stifled the Team Italy offense by striking out 12 batters and allowing just two runs on one hit The Azzurri scored in the third and fourth innings catcher Lorenzo Lambertini walked and was thrown out at second base on a fielder's choice from Leonardo Belardi Both runners advanced one base on a passed ball Then Leonardo Belardi scored on a groundout RBI by Nicholas Bertoldi Elia Sartini led off with a walk and advanced to second base on a single by Filippo Venditti Elia Sartini later scored on a pair of wild pitches Team Italy was delighted to see starting pitcher Paul Schmitz leave the game in the bottom of the seventh inning who immediately gave up an infield single by pinch-hitter Cristian Laghi Back-to-back walks to Nicola Spagnolo and Alessandro Beccari brought Cristian Laghi home to score the first of four runs for Team Italy Nicholas Bertoldi followed with a two RBI single but the late-inning Italian rally fell short Team Italy (1-1) concludes Pool A action against Russia (0-2) on Thursday Team Italy will advance with Germany to the U15 Euro semifinals on Friday Czech Republic (2-0) and the Netherlands (2-0) The loser of the contest will play against Germany in the U15 Euro semifinals on July 19 at 5 pm (local time) while the winner of the game will play under the Steno Borghese Stadium lights at 8 pm against (hopefully) Team Italy The U15 European Baseball Championship final takes place on Saturday The battle for the bronze medal begins earlier in the day at 10 am (local time) The two top teams in the U15 European Baseball Championship will qualify for the 2020 U15 Baseball World Cup From theme parks and sculpture gardens to aquariums and museums here are some of Italy’s most exciting attractions to visit with your kids By Una Dimitrijevic Italy is a charming country filled with a rich history, stunning art, and delicious cuisine it’s also a great destination if you are traveling with children offering numerous exhilarating and educational experiences Discover some of the most fun family-friendly ventures in Italy Looking for a home away from home in Italy Airbnb is a global online community offering accommodation and experiences They have a selection of over 6 million unique properties available through their secure booking service Airbnb has the right short-term let for you Known for its nail-biting roller coasters and thrilling water rides, Gardaland Resort is a popular amusement park near Lake Garda (Lago di Garda) in northern Italy Topping the list of exciting attractions for daredevil kids are Blue Tornado (a vertical loop coaster) and Raptor (a suspended roller coaster that reaches speeds of up to 90 kilometers per hour) brave park-goers can also navigate their way through the world’s first Jumanji-themed labyrinth to restore the sacred gem to the elephant temple In addition to high-adrenaline experiences Gardaland hosts a variety of shows and performances to entertain kids This includes everything from acrobatics and magic shows to live music and a 4D Cinema Experience screening the latest blockbusters There are plenty of food and shopping options to enjoy too making Gardaland a convenient destination for spending a day or two with the family there are several themed hotels that recreate the experience of sleeping in a magic ice castle or enchanted forest Gardaland Resort Partly inspired by Antoni Gaudí’s Park Güell in Barcelona the immensely colorful sculptural park features a Giant Knight The most beautiful places to visit in Italy There are plenty of shady spots and a peaceful pond where you can rest and have a picnic The Giardino dei Tarocchi is a truly unique and magical place to while away an afternoon among stunning art and nature just bear in mind that the site is not open to visitors in winter Giardino dei Tarocchi Also known as the Park of the Monsters (Parco dei Mostri), Sacro Bosco offers a more serene experience for families visiting Italy with kids in the province of Viterbo in northern Italy and features grotesque 16th-century sculptures and dreamlike landscapes The most famous of these is perhaps the ‘Monster fountain’ which has carved stone figures that spout water from their mouths and the perfect place to spend a morning or afternoon with kids They will no doubt enjoy exploring the various caves and hidden paths – not to mention the world of bizarre creatures along the way There are also games to keep them entertained as well as a beautiful flower garden in which to enjoy some quiet downtime it’s worth noting that Sacro Bosco is a peaceful place where children can enjoy art and nature in silence but should also respect the park’s tranquility and refrain from picking flowers or climbing on the sculptures Sacro Bosco The Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology (Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci) in Milan (Milano) is the largest science and technology museum in Italy It is also one of the most important in the world showcasing the largest collection of machine models based on the drawings of Leonardo da Vinci Among the 170 models of his famous inventions on display are his flying machines and weapons as well as models of his anatomical drawings and other scientific studies Top museums and cultural institutions in Italy the museum’s hands-on activities and workshops offer little ones the chance to build their own simple machines or try out da Vinci’s designs for themselves permanent exhibits invite older guests to explore the themes of rail transport Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci Designed specifically for families with young children this theme park features over 40 rides and attractions as well as several educational exhibits and interactive experiences and a farm where kids can learn about different animals and how to care for them Among the park’s most popular attractions is Minitalia which is home to 160 miniature Italian monuments and 16 historical talking statues that help visitors learn about the country’s history and culture Little ones can also enjoy experiences such as riding Thomas the Tank Engine or joining PJ Masks on their museum adventure They will also have the chance to meet and take photos with some of their favorite cartoon characters such as Peppa Pig Come summertime, you will no doubt enjoy cooling down in the various pond and splash pads, or love exploring the different outdoor playgrounds on offer. Notably, Leolandia makes a point of catering to expectant mothers as well as people with special physical or cognitive needs, providing an accessibility map to help everyone navigate the park with ease Leolandia Home to more than 15,000 marine creatures – including sharks and colorful tropical fish – the Aquarium of Genoa (Acquario di Genova) is one of the largest in Europe It is well worth a visit if you want to observe manatees and different types of penguins Visitors will also stumble across tropical plants and multi-colored butterflies within an impressive Central American-themed garden The aquarium features several interactive exhibits for curious little explorers These include touch tanks and feeding demonstrations where children can get up close and personal with the animals There are also educational exhibits that teach them about marine conservation and different ecosystems around the world Older children can immerse themselves in a virtual reality experience in the Deep Sea Room while younger ones can have fun designing their own digital fish you can choose to buy tickets to either just the aquarium or the whole ‘Planet Aquarium’ experience The latter includes access to the panoramic elevator which offers a view over Genova from 40 meters up which invites you to immerse yourself in a tropical bubble that floats on water Acquario di Genova Science City (Città della Scienza) is a brilliant option for families visiting Italy with kids But one of the main draws of this attraction is the 3D Planetarium It screens educational films about astrology Curious little ones can also have fun learning about the human body as they explore the museum’s largest display This features a variety of sensory exhibits and interactive displays designed to teach them about the heart Those fascinated by all things creepy-crawly meanwhile can delve into the world of insects within the Bugs & CO exhibit this is all accessible to English speakers Aside from the permanent exhibits on offer the Città della Scienza also hosts special events and workshops throughout the year so it’s worth checking out what’s on during your visit Città della Scienza Want to visit every famous landmark in Italy with the kids within a single day Then a trip to this quirky amusement park in the city of Rimini is definitely in order Every year, around 400,000 people come to Italia in Miniatura to stroll among the 273 miniature replicas of notable Italian and European architectural sites Young and old can delight in taking selfies at famous places And with around 5,000 bonsai trees dotted throughout the 85,000-square-meter open-air exhibition their travel pics will look even more convincing Not only is the popular family-friendly park a fun place for children to feel like giants but also a great way for them to learn about Italian and European geography and cultural heritage additional attractions include the treetop adventure area and the ‘Cinemagic 7D’ experience where special effects come to life on the screen invites children aged 6 to 12 to earn their driver’s license by taking driving lessons with mini cars and virtual instructors Guaranteed to be a fun day out for kids of all ages Just bear in mind that several attractions are closed during the winter months Italia in Miniatura Routinely voted the best water park in Italy Caribe Bay is a must-visit for families with kids in Italy This Caribbean-themed island park in Jesolo has 2,700 metric tons of white sand and more than 2,000 palm trees Aside from the plethora of water-based entertainment on offer Caribe Bay is open from late May until September if you want to avoid long queues for rides and food it’s best not to go at the height of summer be sure to book an umbrella for shade online in advance This includes two loungers and a locker for your belongings Caribe Bay Parco Natura Vita offers little explorers the unique chance to observe a variety of wild animals up close The popular safari park is home to a whole host of species that are allowed to roam free within a completely wild environment and more from the comfort of their own vehicles as they drive through the Safari Park in around 40 minutes Those visiting without their own set of wheels can hire a Jeep on-site and enjoy the ‘real’ ‘African safari’ experience Kids of all ages can get even closer to animals such as hippos and learn about wildlife conservation in Fauna Park the extended pedestrian area of Parco Natura Viva they can also visit Extinction Park and come ‘face to face’ with a T-Rex and other realistic models from days gone by and food courts on offer throughout the park Natura Viva is the perfect place to visit in Italy with kids Just bear in mind that the drive-through safari closes during the winter months Parco Natura Viva Romeing – guide to interesting places to visit in Rome with your kids Una had already lived in three countries and learned three languages by the time she was nine She has a hard time staying still but has now seemingly settled in Lille Una studied languages and European politics before working in the arts for a few years She’s now a freelance writer and translator and is loving her solitary workplace