Pasqua in Italia - Easter in Italian

While last year we went on an Easter hike (the pilgrimage route of Pope Francis - RIP Papa Francesco - more on long-distance hiking trails & pilgrimages soon), this year we were drawn to Italy - the Easter bunny was kind enough to deliver chocolate eggs & the traditional Pasqua di Colomba to the beach for an Easter picnic. To avoid long travels, we chose the Lido and went a bit reserved to Lignano, Bibione, Caorle & Jesolo, which are overcrowded and geared towards mass tourism in the high season. For mindful travelers, we definitely recommend a campsite instead of a huge hotel complex or a smaller family-run accommodation in the low season.

Of all the towns, Bibione is still the most relaxed, as the municipality has been promoting the renaturation of the lagoons as part of an EU environmental project since the 2000s and there are extensive nature reserves (it was very heart-warming to see lots of older people collecting plastic waste there every day - this is promoted in Italy as part of environmental protection). The locals also meet on the public beach for jogging, family picnics or swimming (the sea temperatures are still very fresh in April, but there is a spa right in the center of Bibione).

Culturally, Caorle with its historic town center is very exciting, as the Venetian architectural style is best preserved here. A walk along the Lido is recommended here, as there are beautiful stone sculptures and plenty of modern street art to admire and the two churches in the city center exude a magical atmosphere (the Chiesa della Madonna dell'Angelo is known for the traditional Marian processions on public holidays).

Lignano is great for shopping for those who like sustainable, local and traditional Italian style shopping, as it has the best regional boutiques, but also has a lot to offer for children (great public playgrounds, also right on the beach). The city center is being completely renovated and a huge restaurant/excursion destination is being built right by the sea.

The best activity anyway is simply drinking coffee and chatting with the locals, who are usually very patient and affectionate with you when learning Italian (if you order “un caffè é un cornetto al cioccolato per favore”, you get an espresso with a chocolate croissant, in Italy they don't eat much breakfast, but it's very carbohydrate-heavy, so it's easier to eat healthily when camping). If you prefer the Italian atmosphere to the tourist restaurants, it is best to look for small osterias outside the city centers or one of the family restaurants on the wineries of the region Friuli Venezia Guilia.