The area
Between matches there is a town built on water, one of the most important lagoons in Europe and the park where the river Po meets the sea. All a few minutes from the pitches.
Built on thirteen small islands linked by bridges, Comacchio is crossed by canals lined with colourful houses, which is why it is called "little Venice". Its symbol is the Trepponti, a monumental bridge with five staircases where the canals meet.
Must see: Trepponti, Ponte degli Sbirri, Loggia dei Grani, San Cassiano Cathedral and the Delta Antico Museum, with the cargo of the Roman ship found in the lagoon.
A few minutes from the pitches are the seven Lidi di Comacchio: miles of fine sandy beach on the Adriatic, with shallow, gently sloping water that is perfect for children and pine woods behind. Halfway along the coast is Porto Garibaldi and its fishing harbour.
The beaches: Volano, Nazioni, Pomposa, Scacchi, Porto Garibaldi, Estensi and Spina. Try a walk along the seafront or on the Porto Garibaldi pier when the boats come back in.
Right outside town lies the great brackish lagoon of the Valli, at the heart of the Po Delta Park: a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and, together with Ferrara, a World Heritage Site. It is home to pink flamingos, herons, avocets and black-winged stilts, and to the historic eel fishery in the old fishing huts.
Things to do: a boat trip from Stazione Foce to the lagoon fishing huts, a sunset bike ride along the embankments. Nearby: the Gran Bosco della Mesola forest and Pomposa Abbey.
Comacchio cuisine comes from the lagoon and the sea: marinated or grilled eel, seafood risotto, mixed Adriatic fried fish. And for the kids there is always pizza, piadina and gelato.
Via Agatopisto 33 · Comacchio old town
Restaurant and pizzeria in the heart of the old town, among the canals: traditional Comacchio dishes and pizza, a short walk from the Trepponti.
Stazione Foce · Comacchio lagoons
In an old fishing hut in the lagoon, with the large fireplace where eel was once cooked. Traditional seafood: grilled eel, marinated eel, risotto and mixed fried fish.
