Rome's beach designated exclusively for dogs and their owners reopened on 25 April.

The 7,000-sqm stretch of sand known as Bau beach is located near Fiumicino airport in the Maccarese area west of the city and can be reached from Via Praia a Mare. Inaugurated in 1998, this year it celebrates its 16^th anniversary as Italy's first official canine beach.

Dogs can play and run around freely and drinking water is provided. Owners are offered refreshment areas serving health foods, while there are veterinarians on hand for 10 hours a day, seven days a week.

There are photography and painting workshops, as well as mini-courses in canine first-aid, while dogs are even permitted to accompany their owners at yoga classes on the beach.

A few simple rules apply: only non-aggressive dogs are welcome and generally are not required to be kept on a leash, puppies under three months and female dogs in heat are not permitted, dogs must possess their required identification microchip, and owners must present an up-to-date record of each dog's vaccination history.

To keep the beach clean, refuse bags are available throughout the area. The entry fee, which includes a goody bag for your dog, is €4. Alternatively a yearly pass costs €10.

For more details tel. 3492696461, www.baubeach.it or check out the group’s Facebook page Amici del Baubeach.