Stop. As soon as you arrive, before you even take a picture of the boats floating on the canal, before you get swept away by the crowds, stop and look at the city. It may seem strange to say, but Venice is first and foremost a city with a slow deep breath, made up of water, stones and people. If you really want to discover it, you have to adjust to its authentic rhythm.

Now start walking. Leave your mobile phone behind, forget the maps and navigators, follow your instincts: if you don't know where to start, let yourself be guided by the Grand Canal; if you are adventurous, get out into the streets, cross the fields and bridges; as soon as your attention is grabbed by a glimpse of something, pursue it; enter a covered underpass and abandon the main routes. Feel free to lose yourself. In the end, all roads lead to San Marco. And when you get there, the sky is turning orange and the marble of the Basilica reflects the final rays of the day.

When night falls, the hustle and bustle of the day dissolves, offering comfort in the taverns where the most genuine encounters take place, in the company of a shadow and a small tipple. With a full stomach and a free mind, you still have time for one last walk, in the strong embrace of the dimly lit streets or on the vast bedrock that show the dark and taciturn lagoon.

But Venice is not alone: it is the centre of an ecosystem made up of islands that you can only explore by crossing the waters of the Lagoon.
To the north, the land is pure and genuine, made of sandbays, reeds and silent islands where nature is the protagonist and art suddenly appears in the most unexpected places.
At the centre, the best-known islands are custodians of ancient crafts, art treasures and traditions.
To the south, the horizon widens and seems to merge into the sea, held back only by the narrow strips of land of the Lido and Pellestrina, where life flows with a balance all its own.

Venice and the Lagoon are two inseparable souls, which together create the journey.

When walking through Padua, you could be stepping on the same stones on which great artists and scientists walked.
Your journey begins in the fourteenth century, following in the footsteps of Giotto and other maestros who left us masterpieces of medieval art in an extended museum, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site listed as the Fourteenth Century Fresco Cycles of Padua.

But Padua boasts another prestigious UNESCO recognition: the Botanical Garden, the oldest university garden in the world still in its original location. Founded in 1545 for the study of medicinal plants, today it is home to rare species and continues its scientific research.

Speaking of science, your journey takes you deep into the Renaissance, to when Galileo Galilei taught at the University of Padua and conducted revolutionary research. Visiting Palazzo Bo, you can admire his desk, the Anatomical Theatre, the lecture hall and the Scala della Sapienza.

If science has left a deep mark, spirituality is no exception. The Basilica of Sant'Antonio, with its imposing architecture and the works of art it houses, is one of the most visited places of worship in the world: every year, pilgrims from near and far come here to pay homage to the relics of the saint.

After this journey through time, a break in Prato della Valle is a must. This vast garden, among the largest in Europe, welcomes you with its spectacular ellipse of statues. If you prefer a lively atmosphere, choose one of the historic cafes between Piazza delle Erbe, Piazza della Frutta and Piazza dei Signori, surrounded by elegant monuments such as the Palazzo della Ragione and the Clock Tower. But in addition to nourishing the eyes, it is also important to satisfy the palate: amid these art treasures, the scene is completed by the local delicacies, fresh products and irresistible aromas of the Mercato Sotto il Salone, the oldest covered market in Europe.

In this pool of learning in which Padua immerses you, there is also room for relaxation: the Euganean Baths, among the oldest in Europe, are an opportunity to pamper yourself and take care of your mind and body. The setting for this wellness corner is the Euganean Hills, a mosaic of panoramic paths, historic villages and vineyards, perfect for outdoor activities and discovering the flavours of this land.

Ever since the past, Padua and Venice have been joined thanks to a waterway, crossed by merchants and aristocrats over the centuries. Today that bond still survives along the Riviera del Brenta, where some of the splendid Venetian Villas stand, sentinels that testify to the golden age of the Serenissima Republic, with stories of ancient nobility and the absolute genius of Andrea Palladio.

Here, the border between city and nature is imperceptible: the majestic peaks of the Dolomites surround the historic centre of Belluno, where art and architecture relate a past intertwined with Venice. Since 1404, under the Serenissima (Republic of Venice), the city still retains details that reveal its Venetian influence, such as the elegant facades of the palaces or Borgo Piave, an ancient river port from which the rafts loaded with timber for the shipyards departed.

Crossing the Piave River, you enter the historic centre of the city. Piazza Duomo awaits you here, surrounded by the Cathedral of San Martino, Palazzo dei Rettori with its clock tower and Palazzo Rosso, still the town hall today.
Palazzo Fulcis, home to the Civic Museums, houses a rich collection ranging from archaeology to modern art.

When it's time for a short break, Piazza dei Martiri welcomes you with its outdoor cafes and boutiques under the colonnades. And if you have more time, don't miss the opportunity to taste typical dishes and delicacies, such as pastìn (pork and beef sausage) and schiz (cheese)

Did you know that Belluno is the only provincial capital whose municipal territory includes part of a national park? Leaving behind churches, frescoes and museums, you can admire a much older art form, sculpted by nature. The Belluno Dolomites National Park is a precious ecosystem that, starting from 412 metres, reaches an altitude of 2,565, breaking through the limits of the sky