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4 Avventure Acquatiche tra canyon e correnti

Albania: Hidden Riviera & Living Water Canyons

Albania: Hidden Riviera & Living Water Canyons

Imagine entering a 26-kilometer-long canyon, with walls up to 100 meters high, carved by water and time: this is the Osum Canyon, in the heart of central Albania. Here, you can go soft rafting—an experience suitable even for first-timers with a paddle. Between April and June, the water level is ideal for exploring gorges brought to life by seasonal waterfalls, natural tunnels, and niches where water reflects limestone walls and lush vegetation. From here, heading south, you reach the Albanian Riviera, stretching between Himara and Ksamil. It's a coastal strip still largely untouched, with crystal-clear beaches and hidden spots like Gjipe Bay, accessible only on foot or by boat. Paddling a kayak here, between golden cliffs and emerald waters, is a truly awe-inspiring experience—with secluded coves and a silence that invites reflection.

In Ksamil, the sea is incredibly clear, perfect for snorkeling among sandy seabeds, colorful fish, and even the chance to swim to the small islands that dot the bay. Venturing inland, you’ll arrive at Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site. Among Greek and Roman ruins, ancient amphitheaters, and well-preserved mosaics, you’re immersed in a timeless atmosphere surrounded by lagoons, reed beds, and centuries-old olive trees. In Porto Palermo, you can visit a Venetian fortress overlooking the sea, and nearby, spend the night in fishing boats turned into tiny floating refuges, moored in quiet bays. For those seeking authentic contact with nature, there are seaside bungalows in Qeparo or Jale, and wild camping spots perfect for enjoying fiery sunsets. Traveling through Albania is also a journey of flavors: ultra-fresh fish, mountain cheeses, and artisanal rakì sipped in stone villages where time moves slowly. It’s the perfect itinerary for independent travelers in search of balance—between sea and land, nature and history, open skies and Balkan rhythms.

France – Camargue & Canal du Midi: Houseboats and Flamingos

France – Camargue & Canal du Midi: Houseboats and Flamingos

Sailing slowly along the canals of southern France, immersed in marshland nature, is at the heart of a houseboat journey through the Camargue and the Canal du Midi. No boating license is required here—just rent a small river boat and set off to discover a liquid landscape of reeds, still waters, and ancient Provençal villages. This experience is perfect for those seeking a slow, floating rhythm, far from the more beaten tourist paths. Along the route, you'll pass pink salt flats inhabited by flocks of flamingos, moor next to windmills, vineyards, and small towns with local markets and sun-drenched squares. Ideal stops include Aigues-Mortes, with its medieval walls overlooking the water, and Sète, where the canals meet the sea. Kayaking is the perfect companion for exploring the nearby natural oases and wild Mediterranean beaches: you'll glide through brackish lagoons and sandy stretches, with the scent of wild rosemary in the air and the sounds of wildlife all around in the reserve. The Camargue is a paradise for birdwatching: beyond the iconic pink flamingos, herons and dozens of other species thrive in this unique ecosystem. Each evening, you dock in a new corner of peace, where you can enjoy a dinner onboard with local delicacies: olives, cheeses, fresh fish, and a glass of rosé. Perfect for travelers who love nature, water-based activities, and mindful relaxation, this itinerary is an invitation to slow down, breathe, and be gently rocked by the landscape.

Costa Rica - Thermal Rivers & Jungle Rafting

Costa Rica - Thermal Rivers & Jungle Rafting

In Costa Rica, water is the true protagonist: it flows through primary forests, bubbles hot from volcanoes, and shapes spectacular landscapes where nature reigns supreme. One of the most thrilling ways to experience this environment is white-water rafting on the Pacuare River, considered one of the most beautiful in the world. The route—suitable even for non-experts in good physical condition—winds through lush canyons, waterfalls, and rock walls draped in vegetation, with Class III and IV rapids offering a mix of adrenaline and calm stretches ideal for spotting wildlife like toucans, blue morpho butterflies, and the occasional sloth or monkey. After the adventure, relaxation comes in the form of thermal waters near the Arenal Volcano, in the La Fortuna area. Here you can soak in warm rivers and natural pools like those of Río Chollín, Ecotermales, or Tabacón, surrounded by tropical forest and with views of the volcanic cone. The journey continues with a stay in ecolodges nestled in the jungle, often reachable only via short treks or hanging bridges. Some, like Pacuare Lodge or Nayara Tented Camp, offer accommodations overlooking private waterfalls, rainforest hiking trails, and birdwatching tours at sunrise. In the Monteverde region, you can walk among the clouds on suspended walkways through tropical forest, while on the Osa Peninsula, within Corcovado National Park, guided treks take you through primary jungle and along deserted beaches.

This itinerary is perfect for those seeking authentic contact with nature, balancing dynamic activities with moments of deep immersion in greenery. The mood is one of intense yet balanced tropical exploration, where water—whether rushing, thermal, or falling from the sky—accompanies every step and makes the experience vivid, rejuvenating, and deeply sensory.

Gili Islands

Gili Islands

Microcosmo Tropicale tra Riti, Reef e Ritmi Lenti

Le Gili Islands, situate tra Bali e Lombok, sono tre isolette (Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno e Gili Air) che offrono un mix irresistibile di natura, cultura e vibes da sogno. Un tempo terra di pescatori Sasak e rifugio di hippie negli anni ’80, oggi sono diventate un’icona dell’Indonesia più autentica (e senza motori: qui ci si muove solo a piedi, in bici o sui cidomo, le carrozze trainate da cavalli). Il paesaggio è da cartolina: sabbia bianca come borotalco, acque che sfumano dal turchese al blu elettrico, fondali pieni di vita, e il vulcano Rinjani che si staglia all’orizzonte. Ma il vero spettacolo è sott’acqua. A Gili Meno puoi nuotare tra statue sommerse ricoperte di corallo (le Nest Sculptures dell’artista Jason deCaires Taylor), mentre a Gili T ci sono dive spot come Shark Point e Turtle Heaven, dove avvistare squali di barriera e nuotare accanto a tartarughe verdi grandi come tavole da surf. Se preferisci qualcosa di più chill, prendi una maschera e fai snorkeling direttamente dalla riva: a est di Gili Air, bastano due passi nell’acqua per trovarti circondato da pesci pagliaccio e coralli color pastello. Le vibes cambiano da un’isola all’altra: Gili T è la regina del divertimento, tra party sulla spiaggia, sunset bar con dj set e mercatini serali di street food (non perderti i satay di pesce e il banana pancake!). Meno è silenziosa, quasi meditativa, perfetta per chi cerca tramonti in solitaria e passeggiate lungo la spiaggia con vista sull’oceano aperto. Gili Air è il perfetto equilibrio: qui puoi iniziare la giornata con una sessione di yoga vista mare, proseguire con un corso di freediving e concludere con una cena a base di tempeh grigliato sotto le stelle. Tip da local? Vai all’alba al lato nord di Gili Meno, dove la sabbia è più fine e spesso sei completamente solo. Oppure prendi un kayak trasparente da Gili Air e pagaia lungo la costa fino a scoprire piccole spiagge nascoste, perfette per un picnic improvvisato. Se capiti durante una cerimonia balinese (sì, qui si mescolano influenze Sasak, balinesi e musulmane), fermati: la spiritualità delle isole è parte dell’esperienza. E la sera, siediti in un warung locale, ordina un nasi campur ( riso con pesce grigliato, manzo, uova, o qualsiasi altro ingrediente a scelta) e ascolta le storie di chi vive qui tutto l’anno: surfisti, apneisti, artisti, nomadi digitali. Le Gili Islands sono una parentesi sospesa tra cielo e mare, dove ogni giornata è un invito a rallentare, immergersi (in tutti i sensi) e lasciarsi sorprendere.

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