The Wildlife Lover's Guide to Italy

If like me you're an animal lover and you want to go on vacation to a part of the world that is home to some amazing animals, you may want to think about visiting Italy. As part of my vacation, I booked an italian villa that I used as a base and I travelled to various parts of the country that is home to some wonderful creatures.

Why don't you do the same? Read on for more information about the amazing animals you'll come across on your trip to Italy:

National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise

Found in the central Apennines, and home to some incredible animals, animal lovers really need to head to the park as you may come across some Marsican brown bears, some chamois, Apennine wolves, otters, deer, and more. If you do want to venture into the park, it's essential that you stick to the paths and tracks, if you have a guide with you, stick with them at all times and follow their instructions. Remember, this is the animal's home and they have every right to go where they want to go within the park.

If you spot an animal eating one of the best things you can do is to let it continue eating. This is because we want it to feel relaxed in its environment and to behave just as they should in the wild. Although it may be tempting to get close to any animal you come across it is best to stay at least a few metres away so they are not disturbed.

With the possibility of lynx being introduced to the park, this is one of the most amazing places you can visit in Italy, thanks to the sheer diversity of animals that you'll have the chance to see.

Gran Paradiso National Park

Home to a population of ibex, a species of goat, Gran Paradiso National Park is simply stunning and was Italy's first national park. Not only is the park home to ibex, but it's also home to woodpeckers, golden eagles and Eurasian badgers. Located in the Graian Alps, and home to just 60 ibex in the 19^th century, those who run the park have now successfully worked to protect this species, and there are now approximately 4,000 ibex living in the park.

With its sweeping valleys, weaving pathways, and stunning views, the park offers an incredible day out to animal lovers and those who simply love to hike. Take plenty of water with you, and your camera of course, and enjoy a remarkable day out in an incredible national park.

If you are lucky enough to spot some ibex, try not to get too close during the mating season as the males often fight, so you may want to stay well away. Take your camera with you though, and you should get some remarkable shots of the ibex, and the rest of the incredible wildlife that live in the park.

Maddalena Archipelago National Park

Located in northeast Sardinia, and one of the most beautiful places in the world, Maddalena Archipelago National Park is home to the ‘Seven Sisters', and it's here where you can find some stunning sea life. Surrounded by magnificent beaches and crystal clear water, if you love sea life, you'll love the national park.

The park itself spans over 20,000 hectares of both land and sea and the area is so well protected you will need to have permission to fish or dive into the waters.

Home to a variety of gulls as well as sea turtles, the park is quite unlike any other you may come across, simply because most of its inhabitants live in the water.  If you do get permission to dive into the waters you may want to have a waterproof camera with you so you can get some great snaps of the sea life you may only ever see in this part of the world.

Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park

Found in Abruzzo, the park was established back in 1991, and covers an incredible 770+ square miles. If you love to engage in a spot of bird-watching, this is the park for you. Home to woodpeckers in addition to peregrine falcons, eagle-owls and more, the park is also ideal if you would like to spot some wolves, wildcats, bears, and chamois.  Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park is one of the most beautiful places in the whole of Italy and visitors will often come across cubs and fully-grown animals that they may wish to photograph.

Not only is the park home to a wide range of animal species, but it also happens to be home to 59 orchids, a few carnivorous plants, and 139 Italian plants. A must for lovers of biodiversity and those who simply love to be out in nature, if you have the opportunity to visit this park, we recommend that you do.

Italy is home to some amazing scenery and wildlife, so while you're in the country why not take the opportunity to see it all? Stay away from those busy tourist spots and head to a few national parks and see the local wildlife in their natural habitat. You may have to pay an entrance fee to some of the parks, but it is worth every penny as the money goes towards supporting the area and keeping the animals safe and healthy.