Amusement Parks, Zoos and Other Fun Tourist Attractions in Italy for the Summer
A recent study of amusement parks in Italy (sponsored by Suzuki) pegged the number at more than 100 but out of that; only about 25 parks graded as “good” or better. That means you have to choose wisely so you can get the most bang for your buck. So adjust your sunglasses, tighten up your tennis shoes and let’s go!
In Italy, amusement parks are divided into three categories: “Parci Meccanici” or Mechanical Parks (with roller-coasters and robotic or computerized attractions like Disneyworld), “Parchi Acquatici” or Water parks (with water-slides) and “Parchi Misti” or mixed parks; which usually combine elements of all the above but are often built around a zoo or similar natural surroundings.
GardaLand (045-6400-355 or www.gardaland.it). Located on the outskirts of Verona in the north and opened since 1991. With one of the most spectacular roller-coasters in all of Europe, and with a variety of interactive-rides that include trips to Egypt and the Wild West, Gardaland is kind of like a Disney-World wanna-be. The main difference is that Gardaland doesn’t have the budget to pay for a happy staff that numbers in the thousands. The staff that is at the park is more or less efficient and lines move pretty quickly. GardaLand has grown from humble beginnings to become the amusement-park-of-choice in Italy.
Heading South to the Puglia region sits the vast Zoo Safari in Fasano (080-713432 or www.ZooSafari.Fasano.it) Zoo Safari is about 40 minutes south of the port city of Bari and sits just off the Adriatic Coast. Visitor’s can choose from an auto-tour to see the animals or they can do a walk-through. There is a “Baboon cage” with a twist: the humans go in the cage and the Baboons roam free on the outside. You can purchase a bag of peanuts that all but ensures the baboons will not leave you alone. About 7 years ago, Zoo Safari built an amusement park as well that boasts a Ferris wheel, mini-circus, dolphin show and other minor attractions. All in all a good way to spend the day.
One of the more interesting amusement parks sits in the east, on the outskirts of the Adriatic coastal town of Rimini. “Italy in Miniatura” or Miniature Italy (0541-732004 or www.italiainminiatura.com) is just what it claims to be: a reconstruction in miniature of all the major sites and attractions in Italy. You’ll board a gondola and hit the waterways and travel through Venice, Rome, Naples and more. All carefully reconstructed. More fun than LegoLand, “Italia in Miniatura” is a great learning experience for kids of all ages.
Swinging over to the West coast in the sunny suburbs of Naples sits Edenlandia (080 -2394090 or www.edenlandia.it) part zoo, part amusement park and all fun. Edenlandia is low-maintenance in terms of “ohhhs and ahhhs” – you’re not going to see animatronic figures singing and dancing like Disneyworld. But if you take the park at face value (they have a pretty cool monorail) and don’t get caught up in the little things (for example they haven’t painted the Materhorn Mountain attraction is about 10 years), you can have a good time. Edenlandia is located in Mergellina, which is right outside Naples and has it’s own train stop. Edenlandia is easily accessible and that’s plus.
There are a host of other locations that fall somewhere in the three categories I mentioned earlier. Waterparks are especially popular during the summer and can found in most major cities that lie on the east or west coast. Plus in “amusement parks in Italy” in your search engine and stand back. You’ll be surprised at what you find.
I have been to most of the major amusement parks in Italy and several of the minor ones. If you’re looking for DisneyLand Paris than that’s where you need to go, because you’re comparing apples and oranges. Like a lot of European countries, Amusement parks in Italy offer a “service” and that doesn’t necessarily buy you happy faces that are paid to fawn all over you. You will however have a good time and at the end of the day, isn’t that what matters most?
