Visiting Italy obviously means a trip to Rome, Venice, Milan and Florence. What you're missing out on is the real life Italian experience - the sand and sea, the Mediterranean.

Italians always keep the best secrets only known to themselves. Where do they go for their holidays seeing as they live in Italy and have been around Rome, Milan, Venice and Florence all their lives? "Al Mare" (the sea) is the answer.

Italy's northern parts are renowned for all things elegant. Central Italy is famous for her Roman times. Southern Italy is ageing gracefully. All are surrounded by the great Mediterranean Sea. Even far north Italy, bordering Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia and France, has its own lakes which draw thousands of holiday-makers each year.

A holiday in Italy has traditionally meant a standard tour of everything historical. The Colosseum, the Cistine Chapel and the canals of Venice are enough to entice anybody to visit Italy. Taking a back seat to Italy's long and rich history are hundreds of kilometres of golden beaches and lidos.

Before we go any further I must inform you all of what a 'lido' is. It's extremely important to know the beach systems of Italy. 'Lido" technically means ' a/the shore' in Italian. But what you will find in this instance is that a lido is somewhere where you can rent a piece of beach with a great view of the ocean for a few hours.

Each lido has colour-coded deck chairs and sun umbrellas with side tables lined up a few metres apart. The popular beaches are lined with dozens of individual lidos and you can tell where each lido begins and ends by their colours.

After you've paid the 5-7 euros per day (on average) to rent your own table, umbrella and chair, you will find change room facilities close by. Cheaper lido rates are available to beach dwellers for weekly or monthly stays.

Each Lido usually has its own cafe or restaurant, meaning you don't have to leave the beach at any stage of the day. Some lidos even have their own nightclub, where you can dance the night away on the sand. Individual lidos employ their own uniformed life guards.

Sea lovers can even shop while sun baking. Periodically there will be a beach walking salesman selling cds, towels, sunglasses, pieces of coconut, a massage or a fake tattoo! When that gets boring there are usually organised beach volleyball or soccer games and some lidos even have their own pool.

When visiting Italy it's more than likely that you will arrive at Fiumicino airport, Rome. First timers usually want to visit the Pantheon, Colosseum, Spanish Steps and all that Rome has to offer, but Lido di Ostia a.k.a. Ostia Beach is a must for some Roman sun and fun.

Ostia was once just a sea port in ancient Roman times, famous for the arrival of Cleo Patra, but now serves as a haven away from the city life of central Rome. A 20 minute car ride or 40 minutes (1 euro each way) on a trenino will get you there. Travelling to Ostia is a mini-history lesson in itself as you will pass Cestius' Pyramid and St. Paul's Gate. The train will take you directly to the beach entrance.

Ostia's "Lungomare" ("Long Sea" - shopping complex) adjoins the popular section of the beach and is easily accessible. Should you find that you're still on the sand and the clock has struck 9pm (which is common as the Italian summer sun sets around 9.30pm), be sure to visit the Faber Beach Lido and Australian Pub situated on the beach. Boasting a sand dance floor, a life guard tower that converts into a dj console and more kangaroo and crocodile statues than the average Australian back yard (as all Europeans think we have them as pets), this is the closest you will get to an outback pub away from Oz.

Organising a week at Ostia beach is worthwhile, although most visitors are tourists looking for an escape from Roman monument viewing for a day or two. There are other beach locations throughout Italy worth a weeks lazing about.

From Rome's or Milan's airports it's easy to find a cheap flight to Olbia on the island of Sardegna or Taormina on Sicily's east coast. Depending on what you're wanting Olbia is similar to a secluded Whitsunday Island beach with untouched white sands and crystal blue waves. Taormina boasts some of the best Mediterranean views from 200 metres above sea level and some of the most picturesque beaches and bathing spots on the planet.

Offering views to Corsica and mainland Italy, Olbia is situated on the far north east point of Sardegna. Taormina and Giardini Naxos (nearby beach) offer endless Mediterranean views toward Greece. Both are away from mainland Italy and entice the traveller to combine ancient history with Europe's best Summer sun bathing conditions.

Many resorts in Taormina are close to the Greek Theatre and central Piazza which is stacked with souvenir shops and bars. Olbia's multicultural influences also include Greek and of course Roman.

Lazing away your day on the white sandy beaches will fill your days. Enjoying a drink in bar that overlooks the 11th century San Simplicio Cathedral in Olbia's main piazza will ensure a great evening out. Don't think for a minute that these beach paradises which are mentioned are only good for sun baking.

Taormina has a number of beautiful beaches which compliment the Bay of Mazzarò and feature beautiful marine grottos and faraglioni (lighthouses). Both seaside getaways are breathtaking.

Puglia is known for its cultivation. But the southern most region of mainland Italy is also renowned for its economical seaside family holidays on the Adriatic Sea.

When it comes to value for money Vieste is probably Italy's best kept secret. Southern Italy has been portrayed to be governed by the corrupt and civilised by the poor. Italians have taken advantage of this misleading interpretation and for years have been enjoying affordable family beachfront experiences.

Vieste not only offers great beaches and nightlife, but it is one of the few places in Europe with surfing standard waves! July and August are definitely the best times to visit the small northern Pugliese town. Unlike many other cities in Italy during the Summer, Vieste mainly attracts Italian holiday makers as opposed to foreigners due to its low key reputation.

The Vieste lidos are slightly cheaper than other beaches, as are rental apartments, restaurants and bars. The airports of Foggia and Bari will get you there.

Renowned for its art and romance whoever thought that Tuscany would offer great beaches? Viareggio is the place to be for the beach parties and discotheques on the Tyrrhenian coast. Rivalling Viareggio for the beach party holiday is Rimini on the Adriatic coast.

If you're prepared to sacrifice sleep for enjoyment then these are your good-time destinations. Rimini and Viareggio are often compared to the Spanish party island of Ibiza.

Viareggio and Rimini allow the traveller to experience great nightlife. Lidos once again add colour to the beaches. Just metres away across the esplanade are kilometres of bars, pubs and restaurants. Budget hotels and hostels are more common but don't expect a quiet stay in such accomodation. The youth invade every Summer and they don't forget their music.

The Rimini and Viareggio beaches are great to recover your nights out on, but are not recommended for family re-unions. Nudity and youth ensure that anybody that's not prepared for the unexpected could be shocked. Definitely the places to go for non-stop partying "Al mare".

The lakes in northern Italy are great for any traveller craving elegance, views and water. Italy's largest lake Lago di Garda (a.k.a. Lake Garda) will take you there.

Lying between kilometres of mountains, the sea-like Lake Garda is 54 kilometres long (from Riva to Sirmione) and is 2-11 kilometres wide depending on which town you're visiting. The shoreline is speckled with resorts and vineyards and offers a great alternative to the beach. The views are endless so take plenty of film.

The best thing about Lake Garda is the ferry ride which covers the entirety of the lake. Ferries come at 30 minute intervals and stop at major towns which all offer something unique. So hopping on and off will become second nature. Putting aside 1-2 days for the sea ride is recommended.

Here the lidos are non-existent but there are still plenty of beaches at the northern end of the lake. Most hotels offer pool and sun bathing facilities to compensate.

Lake Garda is half way between Milan and Venice and is not as popular as the nearby Lake Como and is not as sought after by tourists, resulting in cheaper rates and meals. The restaurants and bars are authentic Italian and are ideal if you're after romanza.

Depending on how much time you have in Italy will affect which and how many of these sea escapes you can enjoy. Rome serves up the sea with a splash of ancient history. Olbia and Taormina are Italian island getaways with magical views. Vieste is family affordable with fewer tourists. Rimini and Viareggio are your beach party destinations. Lago di Garda is relaxed and picturesque.

Italian history and art has kept her coast line irrelevant to most tourists in the past. It's time to enjoy the southern European summer. Hopefully you will come away will that Italian sun tan you were looking for. Happy holidays! buona vacanza!

by David Ferrini