The report, by environmental group Legambiente and the Touring Club Italiano, also confirmed Sardinia’s lead with seven of those 21 resorts.

The top one was Baunei, in the province of Nuoro.

Sardinia was followed by Tuscany with four locations; Puglia and Campania both with three and Sicily with two.

Closing the ranking are Basilicata and Calabria, this year’s new entry, which gains a spot with Tropea.

The Five Sails reward “those who have managed to best combine territories and places of excellence with sustainable development strategies”.

ANSA