Lignano - The Florida of Italy
Ernest Hemingway gave this nickname to Lignano and it couldn't be more aptly named, as it too was built on a drained marshland with the sole intention of building a tourist center. Today, it acts as the main holiday destination for northern Italy and is a favorite with German and Swiss tourists.
General Info
To any Italian living in Northern Italy the name Lignano Sabbiadoro is equivalent to only one thing: vacation, because this is their favorite Yacht Charter destination. Situated in the Udine Province, on the northeastern shore of the Italian peninsula, this locality was built with tourism in mind at the beginning of the 20th century by draining the local marshlands.
The name “Sabbiadoro” literally translates into “Golden Sand” and was added only later to promote the tourism. It seems to have done wonders because today German and Swiss Yacht Charter travelers call this place their summer home.
Travel & Arrival
Though most of the Yacht Charter tourists arrive here by car, there’s also the option of flying in. There are 3 main airports in the vicinity: the one in Venice (100 km via the A4), the one in Trieste (70 km via the A28), the one in Treviso (100 km) and the one in Milan (400 km via the A4 and A28).
There’s only one major road coming into Lignano, the SS354, which connects with the Venezia-Trieste highway to the north, thus linking it to the rest of the country. Driving in from neighboring countries is easy as there are many European roads crossing the region.
Avant & Apres Sail
The town is divided into 4 parts: the Sabbiadoro located the farthest end of the peninsula reaching to the port, the Pineta in the center of town with a commercial center, the City with residential centers and the Riviera, in the western part of the peninsula, also predominantly residential but with a lot more vegetation (pine trees).
It’s on the Riviera that Yacht Charter guests will see the Zoo Park of Punta Verde and the Hemingway Park, named in honor of the great writer who lived here. The rest of the town has a distinct modern look to it, where one can admire the creations of designers such as Pietro Zanini, Gianni Avon and Aldo Bernadis. The only old building is the St. Maria church built in the 15th century but transferred here from the neighboring town of Bevazzana.
The local cuisine is called friulano and as you’d expect from a coastal resort is based on fish dishes caught locally by fishermen which can be seen sailing their boats through the bay. However, the picky Yacht Charter customer can also enjoy true Italian cuisine (let’s just say there’s no shortage of pizzerias here) and also international food.
Shopping and nightlife are clearly tourist-focused, as most activities are centered around the beach and the main plazas. Nightclubs, pubs and bars come to complete the entertainment offer that is generically called “Beach Village” by locals and Yacht Charter visitors alike.
Events & Actions
The waters around Lignano and indeed in all this part of Italian Adriatic Sea are famous for their purity awarded with the Bandera Blue d’Europa. The marinas and harbor offer extensive facilities for all those who wish to practice water sports, experts and beginners alike. Yacht Charter regulars will find here a wide offer of boats available for hire and a magnificent natural setting around the peninsula.
There are also waterparks for adults and kids, but if you’re looking for a more serious way to enjoy your stay, why don’t you get your Yacht Charter crew for a day at the golf course? Other land-based activities include all sorts of team sports, horse-riding, hiking through the neighboring back country and bike riding.
As a true tourist center should, Lignano plays host to many cultural, sporting and musical events, especially during the long summer months. Sporting events include the Fai Golf Cup, the Coppa Hotel President Bis, Coppa residenze del golf, the Trofeo M. Solero regatta and the Trofeo V. Fonda regatta. Musical events that might attract the Yacht Charter crowds include jazz and classical.