As a natural north-south bridge between Europe and Africa, Italy is a vitally important region for more than 550 bird species, both migrants and breeders. More than 20% of the “Boot” is under environmental protection, and those areas include many of the most famous reserves and sanctuaries in all of Europe, featuring the greatest diversity of wildlife and habitats anywhere in the European Union.

That diversity is due in part to Italy’s astounding range of habitats, created by a unique set of geological and climatic conditions. Equally crucial, though, is the venerable history of human influence on this complex land. In Italy, as almost nowhere else, the natural and the cultural merge. Historic cities like Rome, Venice, and Florence are set in spectacular landscapes that they have helped forge over the centuries.

These varied landscapes, home to some of the rarest birds in Europe, offer a lifetime’s worth of birding. Italians today are proud of their country’s rich environment, and eager to share it with visitors. So grab your passport and binoculars and come explore Europe’s finest birdwatching paradise, its culture, its history, and its superb natural beauty. Marco Valtriani from S-Cape Travel will talk about conservation projects in Italy and also ongoing ecotourism initiatives around the country.

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