Riviera del Brenta
Once, along the banks of the Brenta, Venice's most influential families built their holiday homes. Elegant villas surrounded by greenery, overlooking the water and were animated by sumptuous parties, diplomatic meetings and moments of leisure in the large gardens. Today that charm has remained unchanged and the Riviera del Brenta is the perfect place to immerse yourself in an atmosphere of art, history and beauty.
The best way to discover it? Sailing along the river, as did the Venetian nobles, or cycling on the cycle path that runs along the banks, amid villages, bridges and picturesque views.
Among the Venetian Villas that you will encounter, the most grandiose is certainly Villa Pisani, known as La Nazionale, in Stra: the estate, with its fascinating park, was commissioned in 1721 by the Doge Almorò Pisani to celebrate the greatness of his family; this is demonstrated by the fresco Gloria of the Pisani Family, painted by Giambattista Tiepolo on the ceiling of the sumptuous ballroom.
Another must-see building is Villa Foscari, known as La Malcontenta, built by Palladio in 1559 and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the splendid frescoes inside by Battista Franco and Giambattista Zelotti are worthy of attention.
But the Riviera never ceases to amaze. Also to be included in your itinerary are Villa Foscarini Rossi, designed at the end of the sixteenth century by Vincenzo Scamozzi and now home to the Museum of Footwear; Villa Valmarana, with its imposing colonnades and traditional Italian garden; Villa Widmann Rezzonico Foscari, which hosted illustrious figures such as Carlo Goldoni, Cardinal Sarto (who became Pope Pius X), the musicians Malipiero and Igor Stravinski, and Gabriele d 'Annnunzio, a friend of Count Pietro Foscari, who was a frequent guest.
More than just buildings to admire, the villas are experiences to enjoy: the Riviera del Brenta will reveal the secrets of the Venetian Villas through guided tours, cultural events, festivals and food and wine traditions.
Find out more on the Riviera del Brenta official website!
Sentinelle di arte e civiltà, dimore storiche che raccontano secoli di ingegno, gusto e sviluppo economico, testimoni di storie nobiliari antiche: sono le Ville Venete, patrimonio diffuso con oltre 3.000 unità.
Piccole Dolomiti
Don't be fooled by the name: these mountains have no reason to envy their older sisters. Here the spires turn pink at dawn, the rock walls challenge climbers, and the trails offer unforgettable views.
If you are looking for thrills, you will find via ferratas and legendary walls to climb; if you want to immerse yourself in history, the trails of the Great War will take you through trenches and tunnels carved into the rock; if you prefer relaxation, the silence of the woods, sound of streams and mountain huts are ready to lull you.
Lessinia
Lessinia is a plateau that tells stories of borderlands and wild nature: expanses of pastures dotted with huts, dense forests that hide mysterious caves, ancient stone villages. Each town has a different soul, linked to centuries-old traditions and Cimbrian culture, which can still be perceived in the names, dialects and flavours: from the famous ‘malghe’ (shepherds’ huts) of Erbezzo to the paleontological and prehistoric treasures of Sant'Anna d 'Alfaedo and Velo Veronese, from the summer holiday resort in Bosco Chiesanuova to the mysteries that surround Grezzana, from the genuine originality of Cerro Veronese to the paths that branch off between San Mauro delle Saline and Roverè Veronese, right up to the authentic traditions of Selva di Progno.
Here the landscape is sculpted by geology and time. The Lessinia Regional Natural Park is a mosaic of deep valleys, gentle heights and unique rock formations, such as the Ponte de Veja or the Sphinx Valley. A paradise for those who love real nature and close encounters with deer, eagles and marmots.
And in this natural setting, the days pass in a flash thanks to scenic treks, snowshoeing in the pristine snow, mountain biking in the huts, paragliding over the valleys, trips to museums and centuries-old districts to explore.
Asiago Plateau of the Seven Municipalities
Asiago, Foza, Enego, Lusiana Conco, Roana, Gallio, Rotzo: seven municipalities, one large plateau. A destination made of endless meadows and dense forests, where nature and history intertwine, a mountain that is not only landscape, but memory: here, among the trenches and the forts of the Great War, the past is still alive.
The Plateau offers freedom of movement in every season. In winter, it is the home of cross-country skiing, with kilometres of slopes through snow-capped woods and breathtaking views, but also downhill skiing and snowshoeing. In summer, it becomes the realm of trekking and mountain biking, among shepherds’ huts, pastures, and trails that climb up to 2000 metres. And then there are all the food and wine stops you can enjoy to recharge the batteries: Alpine cheeses, honey, and mountain distillates.
Pre-Alpine landscape
Beaches
Do you like the idea of waking up every day at the sea and being able to choose a different experience? Welcome to the Veneto Coast: 150 kilometres of free and well-equipped beaches, pine forests and villages that transform your holiday into a journey of relaxation, sports and fun.
Each location has a unique soul, capable of surprising even the most discerning traveller.
Starting from the North, Bibione and Caorle welcome you and your family with well-equipped beaches and a lively atmosphere. Jesolo needs no introduction: here the fun never stops, including clubs, events and water sports. If you are looking for contact with nature, Eraclea Mare and Cavallino-Treporti offer the perfect refuge: beaches surrounded by greenery and a hinterland dotted with fishing valleys and ancient cottages, ideal for exploring by bicycle. Then there is the timeless charm of the Lido of Venice, where the beach meets the history of the Serenissima Republic. Maybe, between a swim and a walk, you could even cross paths with some famous film stars. Past the lagoon, Sottomarina offers well-equipped beaches and ideal services if you are travelling with your family or a four-legged friend. Further south, Rosolina wins hearts with its unique landscapes: on the one hand, stretches of sand that join the infinity of the sea, and, on the other, the inland river vegetation that follows the rhythm of the wind. And finally, Porto Tolle, a seaside resort where the sea meets the Po Delta in an almost untouched setting. Here, tourism blends with local life, among wild beaches, authentic nature and a silence that speaks more than a thousand words.
And in winter? The Veneto Coast does not hibernate! Bibione becomes an oasis of well-being with its thermal baths overlooking the sea. In Caorle and Jesolo, Christmas is the protagonist with its festive atmospheres, markets, lights and cribs made of sand and ice. From Cavallino-Treporti to Sottomarina, this narrow strip of land becomes a haven from which to explore the Lagoon, amid the mists and absolute silence. And the Po Delta, between Rosolina and Porto Tolle, is perfect for birdwatching: here, in silence and nature, you can spot rare species in a landscape that changes colour with the seasons.
In winter, the sea changes face: becoming wilder, more authentic. Fewer crowds, more room for each person. For those who know how to look, its beauty is even greater.
Cortina d'Ampezzo
Cortina d'Ampezzo is a name that immediately evokes the Dolomites in their most glittering and regal form. Highlight events of the Alpine calendar take place here – from the Women's Ski World Cup on the Olympia slope to the Cortina Fashion Weekend that transforms the centre into an open-air catwalk. But Cortina is not just a theatrical stage to view: it is a place to experience the mountains every day, in every season.
Corso Italia, with its boutiques and historic cafes, is the heart of this world; between an exhibition in a gallery and an aperitif with a view of the peaks, you can breathe in a cosmopolitan atmosphere that is always linked to the roots of Ampezzo.
If you love sports, Cortina is an endless playground. In winter, the Tofane, the Cristallo and the Cinque Torri offer over 100 kilometres of slopes as part of the Dolomiti Superski region. Don’t miss the ski tour that traces the historical tracks of the 1956 Olympics, including the famous Olympia track, a real challenge for experts who want to tackle the descents of world champions.
In summer, leisure activities move to ‘via ferrata’ assisted climbing, trekking at high altitude, and mountain bike excursions. You don't need to be an athlete: here you can experience the mountain at your own pace, with panoramic alpine refuges and a path that leads to a turquoise lake like the Sorapiss.
As summer arrives, snow-covered landscapes give way to flowering meadows, via ferrata climbing, views that seem endless, and MTB outings. The Dolomites around Cortina become a destination for hikers and mountaineers: Lake Sorapiss, reached by a hike that pays off with turquoise waters, and the Cinque Torri, where the mountain is intertwined with the history of the Great War. You don't need to be an athlete: here you can experience the mountain at your own pace, with a delicious meal in an alpine refuge, enjoying the sun that paints the mountains at dawn and dusk.
Valbelluna
