GARDONE RIVIERA AND TOSCOLANO MADERNO RECEIVE THE FIVE SAILS

Crystal clear waters and places of extraordinary scenic beauty attentive to sustainability and protection of biodiversity characterize the Italian seaside resorts awarded with the Five Sails of Legambiente and Touring Club Italiano, including Gardone Riviera and Toscolano Maderno.

In total, 21 marine and 12 lake tourist municipalities were awarded the prestigious award, presented in Rome in the guide "The most beautiful sea 2024". The guide provides tourist and environmental information on the municipalities of Cinque Vele, also highlighting the commitment to protecting the Caretta caretta turtles.

This year, the guide introduces the 33 common friends of sea turtles, distinguished by the turtle symbol. These municipalities are committed to making the beaches welcoming for turtles that lay their eggs. Currently, 74 municipalities in Italy have signed the protocol, with Campania in first place with 22 municipalities. The "municipalities friends of turtles" initiative is part of the Life TURTLENEST project, which aims to protect the nesting habitats of Caretta caretta. The project is coordinated by Legambiente and involves 13 partners in Italy, Spain and France.

At a regional level, Trentino-Alto Adige has the highest number of award-winning locations, followed by Piedmont and Lombardy.

"The Cinque Sails locations confirm the great commitment towards sustainability," says Stefano Ciafani, national president of Legambiente. "The guide is a map of Italy's marine and lake riches," adds Giulio Lattanzi, General Director of the Italian Touring Club, "promoting sustainable practices and offering advice on cultural and natural activities."