Italia 24: Home Built Theme Park?! Ai Pioppi!

Ai Pioppi is one of the most bizarre, yet interesting places I’ve ever visited. The story goes, the owner of this amazing place opened a restaurant and wanted some entertainment for the guests. He did what all of us would and built a theme park himself, featuring a plethora of hand built and human powered attractions. I should add that it’s free entry, though there is an expectation that you will eat in the restaurant.

We arrived and headed straight for the first coaster, Carrello della Gobba (716).

Managed to ignore the signs saying that the weight limit was 80kg, I’ll do a lot for a coaster credit. It was a real experience! Thankfully an experience I survived.

Next was Bob (717&718) a two sided race down a hill. Pushing the coaster car up said hill was not fun, but the ride itself was!

One more cred to get! Gioco Delle Onde (719). I forgot to take a photo of it, but it’s the park’s newest coaster. The owner of Ai Pioppi was sat at the top, giving operating instructions!

We had lunch next. At this restaurant, every dish is served with a side of polenta.

Beer was Helles by Paulaner

Group shot

After lunch we checked out some flat rides!

A centrifuge powered by bicycles! It actually pretty fast!

A sort of see saw thing.

This was the best though:

A giant see saw, where you have to run up and down to make it tip! Was great and very sweaty fun!

That concluded a wonderful visit to Ai Pioppi! I would certainly recommend a visit here, I don’t think this blog has done it justice! It’s such a unique and entertaining park.

Thanks for reading!

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