Legend attractions table

🗺️ Itinerary – The first attractions presented are part of the recommended itinerary, which generally includes the most representative historical, artistic, and cultural sites. Monuments, museums, and landmarks are selected to offer a comprehensive view of the destination’s identity.

🌳 Parks & Nature – This section is dedicated to green areas and protected natural spaces, ideal for those who love walking outdoors, hiking, or simply relaxing in an unspoiled environment. Parks, nature reserves, and panoramic trails surrounded by greenery are highlighted.

🏖️ Sea & Beaches – For coastal destinations, this category gathers the best beaches and seaside resorts, chosen for their scenic beauty, service quality, and accessibility. Whether hidden coves or equipped shores, this section helps visitors select the ideal spots for a day at the sea.

🌊 Lakes & Rivers – Lakeside and riverside landscapes offer varied tourist experiences, from water sports and walks along the banks to boat excursions. This section highlights the most scenic places to enjoy breathtaking views and activities in contact with nature.

📅 Events and Celebrations – This section gathers the most significant events, both religious and secular, taking place in the destination throughout the year. The aim is to provide visitors with a clear overview of festivities and key events, helping them choose the best time to visit based on their interests.

🍴 Restaurant Selection – This section lists a careful selection of the destination’s best restaurants and trattorias, chosen by cross-referencing ratings from Italy’s main food and wine guides (Michelin, Gambero Rosso, Slow Food, Espresso, Touring Club, and others). The goal is to offer visitors a reliable and qualified reference that especially highlights local traditions, ensuring authentic and high-quality culinary experiences.

🥘 Typical Dishes & Products – Here the most representative gastronomic specialties of the destination are listed, from traditional dishes handed down through generations to certified products (PDO, PGI, PAT, etc.). This section helps visitors explore local excellence and discover what makes the territory’s culinary identity unique.

🍷 Wines and Beverages – Every destination has its symbolic wines and drinks. This section indicates the DOCG and DOC wines produced in the area, together with typical local beverages. From prestigious wines to lesser-known artisanal productions, visitors get a complete picture to enrich their food and wine experience.

🅿️ Parking and Mobility – Getting around a new destination can be tricky; this section provides information on the main available parking areas and public/private transport. Airports, train stations, subways, and ports are included to ensure smooth and hassle-free travel.

📌 Additional Note – In some destinations, extra sections may appear, dedicated to specific types of attractions:
🛁 Thermal Baths & Springs – when the location is renowned for natural spas or water springs.
🎿 Ski Resorts – in mountain destinations with ski slopes, resorts, or infrastructures for winter sports.
These sections are included only when relevant, to offer a complete overview of local specificities.

Thanks to this subdivision, the attractions index becomes a useful tool to better organize the visit, adapting it to one’s needs and preferences.

Evaluation System

• Three asterisks (***) – Attractions with three asterisks are considered must-see stops that alone are worth the trip. They are the symbols of the destination and represent the heart of the tourist experience.
• Two asterisks (**) – This level indicates attractions of great interest which, although not at the very top of tourist rankings, are absolutely worth a visit. These are places of high historical, cultural, or scenic value that complete the picture of the destination.
• One asterisk (*) – Attractions of significance that, while not essential, provide an interesting addition to the itinerary. They may be secondary stops, but they still offer a pleasant experience for those with more time.

Scoring Criteria

• Relevance of the attraction – Each attraction is evaluated based on its notoriety and its generally recognized historical, artistic, cultural, or scenic value.
• Average of tourist guide ratings – The score considers the average ratings given by major tourist guides, both print and digital, that cover the specific attraction.
• Traveler reviews – Opinions and ratings expressed by users on major travel platforms (Google Maps, TripAdvisor, etc.) influence the final score, providing real feedback on the visitor experience.

Thanks to this scoring system, visitors can better organize their travel experience, choosing according to their interests and the length of their stay.

Monuments and Museums – This category includes historical, artistic, and museum assets that are part of the main itineraries and enjoy the protection of important organizations:

• (UN) UNESCO World Heritage – Attractions recognized by UNESCO for their outstanding cultural or natural value.
• (NM) National Monument – Assets declared of historical and artistic importance by the Italian government.
• (FAI) Italian Environment Fund – Sites of historical and landscape interest protected by FAI, a private organization responsible for their preservation.
• (BPL) Most Beautiful Villages in Italy – Municipalities and historic towns included in the official list of the association “I Borghi più belli d’Italia”.
• (BAT) Orange Flag – Touring Club – Award assigned by the Italian Touring Club to villages distinguished for tourism quality and sustainability.

Parks and Nature – The natural attractions listed in the table include protected areas and reserves of particular ecological value, managed by various entities:

• (UNG) UNESCO Global Geoparks – Natural reserves that are part of UNESCO’s Global Geoparks Network.
• (UNB) UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme – UNESCO recognition awarded to territories promoting sustainable development in harmony with nature.
• (CE) European Charter for Sustainable Tourism – Certification granted to natural parks for sustainable management and focus on ecotourism.
• (DE) European Diploma of Protected Areas – Recognition by the Council of Europe for natural areas of high scientific and environmental interest.

Sea and Beaches – The seaside resorts and beaches listed in the table are selected based on environmental quality and tourist services:

• (BL) Blue Flag – Award given by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) to beaches and marinas that meet high standards of water cleanliness and sustainability.

Restaurant Selection – For restaurants, the specific rating assigned by guides is not indicated for ethical and copyright reasons. However, the table shows the number of guides (from 1 to 10) that reviewed the establishment, since the selection is based on the following 10 reference food and wine guides: Michelin Guide, Gambero Rosso, l’Espresso Guide, Italian Academy of Cuisine, Slow Food Guide, Bibenda, Golosario, Identità Golose, Touring Club, Trip Advisor.

Typical Dishes and Products + Wines and Beverages – These sections highlight the typical products of the destination, classified according to the main national certification and protection marks:

• (DOP) Protected Designation of Origin – Certification that guarantees the geographical origin and quality of a food product.
• (IGP) Protected Geographical Indication – Mark ensuring that at least one stage of production takes place in a specific geographical area.
• (PAT) Traditional Agri-Food Products – Category including products linked to local culinary traditions recognized by the Ministry of Agricultural Policies.
• (STG) Traditional Speciality Guaranteed – Mark protecting traditional production methods of specific food products.
• (DCO) Municipal Designation of Origin (De.C.O.) – Municipal certification protecting local products and specific gastronomic traditions.
• (DCG) Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin (DOCG) – Highest certification for Italian wines, ensuring top quality.
• (DOC) Controlled Designation of Origin (DOC) – Certification attesting the geographical origin and characteristics of a wine.

This detailed structure makes it possible to immediately recognize the importance and protection of each attraction or typical product, making it easier to plan the itinerary according to visitors’ interests.

Format of the Indicated Duration – The estimated visiting time is expressed in minutes, for example 60 means 60 minutes of visit, or, as in the case of parts of the day (morning, afternoon, evening), 1,3 means 1 hour and 30 minutes. Fractions of an hour are always based on 60, not on 100.

Criteria for Estimating the Duration of the Visit – The indicated duration for each attraction is the result of:

• Analysis of major reference tourist guides, which provide an evaluation based on direct experience and the cultural, historical, or landscape value of the site.
• Cross-checking with user reviews, which give real feedback on how much time is actually needed to fully enjoy the attraction.

Thanks to this column, visitors can optimize their time, decide which attractions to visit based on daily availability, and build a personalized itinerary.

📌 Note for the Parking and Mobility section: in the Parking and Mobility section, the Visit column does not indicate the length of stay but the number of available parking spaces. This value represents the parking spots available at each listed parking area, to help plan movements.

Structure of the Itinerary

Each itinerary can include up to 10 main stages (X, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I), since Google Maps does not allow inserting more than 10 waypoints.

⚠️ Warning: the starting stage X is a convention used only inside the table. Google Maps itself does not assign any letter to the starting point of the route.

In addition to the main stages, there may also be sub-stages, which likewise cannot be entered in Google Maps but are listed in the table to improve the organization of the visit.

Each sub-stage is linked to a main stage and is identified with the same letter of the main stage followed by a progressive number:
Example:

• Main stage: A
• Linked sub-stages: A1, A2, A3, etc.

To improve the readability of the table:

• Main stage rows are marked with a white background;
• Sub-stage rows are highlighted with a light gray background, to distinguish them visually.

Managing Itineraries with more than 10 stages

Itineraries exceeding the 10-stage limit are split into multiple connected parts.
Each part is highlighted with a different color to make consultation easier:

• Part 1: red background
• Part 2: green background
• Part 3: yellow background

And so on, with distinctive colors for each subdivision.

⚠️ Warning: the connecting stage between two routes is marked with the double indication I–X:

• The letter I indicates it is the last stage of the first itinerary;
• The letter X indicates the same stage is also the starting point of the second itinerary.

In this way, the user can easily understand the continuity of the route and switch from one itinerary to another without losing the logical thread of the visit.

Usefulness of the Stages Column

• Allows following a structured itinerary with clear and well-defined references.
• Makes it easier to use Google Maps navigation, maintaining a direct correspondence between table and map.
• Makes it easy to identify sub-stages without confusing them with main stages.
• Supports optimal route management, especially in complex itineraries with many stages.

Thanks to this column, organizing the visit becomes simpler, more effective, and visually clearer, ensuring a well-planned travel experience.

Modes of Transport and Related Symbols

Each mode of transport is identified with an abbreviation that helps quickly understand which means is most suitable for reaching the destination:

• W (Walk) → The attraction is easily reachable on foot, without the need for any vehicle.
• C (Car) → It is recommended to use a car to reach the attraction, as it may be located outside the city center or in an area not served by public transport.
• B (Bicycle) → The attraction is accessible by bicycle, ideal for cycle routes or eco-friendly travel.
• SU (Subway) → The best way to reach the attraction is the subway/metro, available in cities with this public transport system.
• BS (Bus) → Using the bus is recommended, useful for urban or suburban connections in the absence of metro lines.
• TR (Train) → The attraction can be reached by train, often useful for intercity travel or destinations located along railway lines.
• BO (Boat) → A boat is required or recommended, for example to reach islands, lagoons, or coastal towns accessible by sea.
• VA (Waterbus) → The attraction is accessible with the waterbus, a typical means of public transport in cities like Venice, useful for moving along canals or short sea routes.
• CL (Cable Car) → The attraction can be reached by cable car, particularly suitable for mountain or panoramic areas.
• AP (Airplane) → The attraction is at a distance that requires traveling by plane, typical for international destinations or very distant locations.

Usefulness of the T (Transport) Column

• Provides clear and immediate guidance on the most suitable means of transport for each attraction.
• Helps better plan movements, optimizing travel time and selecting the most convenient options.
• Supports those who prefer sustainable travel options, such as walking, cycling, or using public transport.
• Particularly useful in large cities, where the choice of transport can significantly affect the time and ease of visiting attractions.

Thanks to this breakdown, the T (Transport) column becomes an essential reference for a well-organized, hassle-free trip.

Time Column: estimated travel time – The Time column indicates the time needed to reach the attraction, starting from a fixed reference point, usually the starting point X of the main itinerary, or the center of the tourist location (unless otherwise specified). The value, calculated via Google Maps, is expressed in minutes and is essential for organizing movements and optimizing available time.

Km Column: estimated travel distance – The Km column indicates the distance separating the attraction from a fixed reference point, usually the starting point X of the main itinerary, or the center of the tourist location (unless otherwise specified). The value, calculated via Google Maps, is expressed in meters. Like the previous one, this data is essential for planning movements and optimizing available time.

C (Compass) Column: direction of the destination – Finally, the C (Compass) column indicates the direction of the attraction relative to a fixed reference point, usually the starting point X of the main itinerary, or the center of the tourist location (unless otherwise specified). Possible directions are North, South, East, West and C (Center), which usually refers to the historic or main area of the city. This information is useful for quickly orienting oneself and understanding the geographic layout of points of interest.

📌 Note: if the attraction to be reached is located in C (Center), the time and distance values are usually not specified.

The following specifications are used:

1) Attractions Requiring a Booking – Some attractions require a booking, with different conditions:

• 📞 B – Booking → The attraction is bookable, but a booking is not mandatory. To book, use the contact details available on the Google Maps listing.

• 📞 BR – Booking Required → The attraction is only visitable with a mandatory booking. Without a booking, access is not allowed. Booking references are available on the Google Maps listing.

2) Attractions with Limited Accessibility – Some attractions may not always be available to visit:

• ⚠️ OR – On Request → The attraction is visitable only on request, so you must contact the site/organization in advance to check availability.
• 🚫 CL – Closed → The attraction is temporarily closed and cannot be visited. Closures may be due to restoration works, seasonality, or other contingencies.

3) Freely Accessible Attractions – Some sites are always open or can be enjoyed from outside:

• ✅ AO – Always Open → The attraction has no closing times and is accessible at any time (e.g., squares, outdoor monuments, public parks open 24/7).

• 🏛️ OV – Outside View → The attraction is viewable only from the outside, so it can be admired without entering interior spaces (e.g., private castles, historic buildings with limited access, villas not open indoors).

This breakdown lets visitors understand at a glance how to visit each attraction, making it easier to plan an itinerary according to availability and personal needs.

Months column – Specifies the time of year when an attraction is open. This is particularly useful for seasonal activities (e.g., beach clubs, theme parks, mountain huts). If you see Jun/Sep, it means the site is open from June to September inclusive.

⚠️ Note: if months are shown without “/” (e.g., JunSep), it means the attraction is open only in June and September, not continuously from June through September. The same logic applies to any month combination.

Days column – Lists the days of the week when the attraction is open. For example, M/F means it is visitable from Monday to Friday, while all indicates it is open every day.

⚠️ Note: if days are shown without “/” (e.g., MF), it means the attraction is open only on Monday and Friday, not from Monday through Friday. The same logic applies to other day combinations.

Hours column – Indicates opening and closing times. To improve clarity, two separate fields are available, useful for split schedules. For example, if a museum is open 09:00–13:00 and 15:00–18:00, the two blocks are shown separately to avoid repeating hours across months and days.

Closed column – Specifies regular closing times/days. For instance, Su pm means Sunday afternoon, while Su eve stands for Sunday evening.

📌 Note: months, days, and hours are reviewed periodically for accuracy. However, always verify on Google Maps and official sites—or by phone for major attractions—to confirm visiting conditions and prices.