More than just running

I just got back from visiting my family in Italy. That included a few days in the Italian Alps, where I visited my grandma, and a few more days spent in Sardinia with my aunt.  The other family I have in Italy is Italy itself, and its spectacular landscapes.  Running in the Alps is just like seeing my family again.  Just like grandma has a smell, the alpine forests have a smell that brings me right back to my childhood.

If you are thinking about a running vacation, there is no better place than Italy, and here is why.  In the cities, there are plenty of bike lanes, and the roads in small towns are for the most part quite safe.  The trail system is very advanced, party because there were trails before there were roads, and trails are always well used by the general population.  A small town, a hut or a cafe` are always around the corner, so you are never cut off from food or water, even in the high mountains.  The weather is usually mild, but the best months to visit are early summer or early fall.  The culture is also superior to expectations, and so is the food.  For a runner, vacationing in the land of "no carb left behind" is a dream come true.  The hotels range from very nice youth hostels, to simple pensioni, to modern luxury hotels, with any amenity and service imaginable.  It is also very easy and pretty inexpensive to rent a small apartment, and shopping for food in Italy worth the trip by itself.  The public transportation system is extensive and reliable, so there is no need to rent a car.

The running culture in Italy is very developed, and new and exciting races are always around the corner, on roads and trails.  Although Italy is viewed as a conservative country, half naked runners (and beachgoers) are a common sight pretty much everywhere.

So, if you are thinking about visiting Italy, bring your running shoes, and perhaps the next time you go back, you will also feel like you are visiting family.