Magic, beautiful Venice 

Venice might be considered as a magnetic field that, with the magnificent beauty of St. Mark square, attracts people from all over the world who can attend there a unique show.
As well, Venice might be considered as – and it is indeed – an open-air sumptuous lounge where to talk in comfortable bars, to lodge in dream hotels, to enjoy the Venetian food in typical restaurants and to go shopping in luxury boutiques.
Venice is the town of the Thousand and One Nights: the moon reflected on the sea, the gilding of the lights on the palaces, the colourful Carnival and the romantic rides in the gondola along the canals... all this is magic.
Venice arouses poetry: you can breath the atmosphere of history as well as of literature in the remembrance of important personalities of the past and in the enchanted images coming from the East.
Venice is the cradle of architectonic masterpieces: the Basilica of St. Mark, the Doge’s Palace, “La Feniceö theatre, the churches and every single “calleö (the typical Venetian narrow street) seem to be born from a skilful painter’s brush.
Venice is synonym of culture and art exhibitions: ancient art as well as the contemporary one are exhibited in the many museums of the town and in the itinerant displays organised on special events.
Venice is a crossroad of canals: Canal Grande is a charming course to follow and from the boat you can admire the gorgeous palaces. As well, a superb view on the palaces is assured from the Rialto bridge, erected in 1588.
Venice will be Venice: a town where getting lost in its calli and canals allows to discover new images, new romantic corners, beautiful palaces and squares, parks, colourful markets, shops of handicrafts.
Venice is charming in the sun, mysterious in the fog, enchanting in the rain, it is industrious and busy in the early morning while silent and discreet in the evening.
Venice is worth to be visited in any season and to be experienced in any moment of the day: it will be always unique. Extraordinarily unique. 

Surroundings 

Visit the isles of the Venetian lagoon rich in history and offering enchanting landscapes
- Burano recognisable by the colourful houses and famous for the production of laces, an art dating back to the 16th cent. and still living in the School of laces. Ancient pieces of this art are displayed in the local museum
- Murano known for its Murano glass, whose production dates back to 1291. There you’ll be able to admire the creation of objects in glass as well as to see a splendid collection of precious pieces displayed in the Museum of Glass (Giustinian Palace)
- Torcello is a tranquil locality, almost uninhabited whose symbol is the Byzantine Cathedral (year 1008)
- Lido of Venice The is the Venetians’ beach and the perfect background of the “Mostra del Cinemaö (Film Festival), held in September, that hosts many world movie stars and where noteworthy movies are shown. 

How to get to Venice: 

By road    national road from Bibione follow the signs to Jesolo as far as Punta Sabbioni where motorships (ACTV line) depart for Venice
Motorway (A4) from Latisana or Portogruaro to Venice. At the pay-toll Mestre Est–Favorita follow the signs to Venice. Get to Piazzale Roma where car parking is available (by payment)
By rail    from the railway station of Latisana or Portogruaro 

Fur further information see: 

Comune di Venezia

Aeroporto "Marco Polo"

www.atvo.it

Trenitalia

The sixteenth-century-walls enclose precious art treasures such as Piazza dei Signori which, as it was in the past, is still today to be considered the beating heart as well as the political and social centre of the town. Around the square are situated many and remarkable churches: the Church of St. Nicolò (14th cent.) with its Italian Gothic style; the Church of St. Francesco (where Piero Alighieri, Dante’s son and one of Petrarca’s daughters are buried); the Cathedral (where Titian’s pala is displayed); the Church of St. Maria Maggiore. Near the square the Palazzo del Trecento is erected (it is also called the Palace of Reason as in the Middle Age it was the seat where justice was administered) with the ancient tower (which dates back to 1265) whose clock still today beats out the rhythm of the town.
Inside the Cathedral, in neoclassical style and dedicated to St. Peter, Titian’s "Annunciazione" (Annunciation) and Pordenone’s frescoes are to be admired. Close to the Cathedral the Baptistry, dating back to the 11th-12th cent. and erected on an original Roman basement, shows a niche frescoed by Gentile da Fabriano.
The "Luigi Bailo" city museum offers three sections of visit: the archaeological part with Roman and pre-Roman finds discovered in the territory of Treviso; the picture gallery where masterpieces of the Venetian painting are displayed: works by Bellini, Lotto, Titian and Tiepolo; the modern art gallery where works of end nineteenth century as well as of the second half of the twentieth century are exhibited.
Treviso is crossed through by Sile, a river with fresh and limpid water, which flows quietly winding the town in a crystal-clear embrace round.

Art in Treviso also means culinary art: in fact the town is famous for the radicchio rosso ( red chicory) whose slightly bitter taste fits perfectly salads, as well as it is delicious cooked and grilled, in risotti and in pasticci.

When in Treviso don’t forget to go to Osterie the typical wine-shops where to drink the so-called "ombra" (glass) of prosecco or cartizze, the white light wines produced in the nearby hilly area, and also to taste the local food: minestra e fagioli (soup with beans), tripes, stockfish and musetto ( kind of boiled spiced pork sausage).

The atmosphere in Treviso is charming and elegant for the friendliness of its inhabitants and for the relaxing tranquillity of its streets, guardians of precious monuments symbols of a sumptuous past. 

Surroundings 

Not to be left the magnificent Veneto’s Villas on the Terraglio route, in the countryside among woods of age-old trees and along kilometers of route embellished by white water arums.
The Veneto’s Villas’ owners will be glad to welcome you and to lead you to the discovery of these treasures.
Just two tips:
- Villa Giustiniani in Roncade, magnificent palace enclosed by walls and a huge park
- Villa Albrizzi in S. Trovaso, which was source of inspiration of important artists of the nineteenth century who were its guests: Ugo Foscolo, I. Pindemonte, V. Monti and A. Canova. 

How to arrive to Treviso 

By road: motorway A4 from Latisana or Portogruaro – direction Venice, and then follow signs to Treviso-Belluno

By rail: from the railway station of Latisana or Portogruaro- direction Mestre. In Mestre connection to Treviso 

For further information 

Comune di Treviso

Ville a Treviso e Dintorni

Trenitalia   

is a jewel of art, where amusement and culture join together.

Taking a walk along the streets of the town always arouses wonders: the Basilica of St. Anthony, patron of the town, the Chapel of Scrovegni displaying precious paintings by Giotto, the museums, the ancient churches and the charming squares, they are all places to be visited.

Nature lovers cannot miss a visit to the Orto Botanico (Botanical Gardens) where rare and old plants are to be admired. Among all, just a mention to the Palm of St. Peter which dates back to 1585, year of the opening of the gardens.

In the Archaelogical Museum you can breath the air of ancient art: pre-Roman and Roman finds, Venetic steles and Egyptian treasures are displayed. Same air also to be breathed in the Roman amphitheatre, where once gladiatorial performances were held. It was destroyed almost totally in the Middle Age when its materials were taken away and used to erect other buildings.

The museum of medieval and modern art offers a general view on the Venetian painting: the Cross by Giotto, the paintings by Tintoretto and by Tiepolo, they are just some of the unique masterpieces displayed there.
The Palace of Reason is considered the "salon" of the inhabitants of Padua. It takes its name from the fact that its upper floor is constituted by one huge hall only. The Palace dates back to 1218 and in its interior you can admire late Gothic frescoes painted on an original fresco by Giotto, destroyed by a fire in 1420. The Palace looks on Piazza delle Erbe e Frutta seat of the traditional open-air daily market.

Padua is a modern and lively town with shops and interesting meeting places. It is destination of the young from Italy and abroad who attend its university founded in the thirteenth century and linked to prestigious names such as Copernicus and Galileo whose desk has been preserved till today.

While visiting Padua it is not be missed a walk in Prato della Valle, a square-garden with 78 statues performing the fame of the town and standing along a canal with running water.

As well, not to be missed a cup of coffee to be taken at Caffè Pedrocchi, the so-called cafè without doors, still today one of the most popular meeting places of the town.

It is also worthy a visit to Disneystore where to find the characters of the cartoons for the delight of children and... adults as well. 

Sourroundings 

Take the chance to visit, by car or by boat, the Venetian Villas between Padua and Venice, following the naturalistic and artistic route along the Brenta river.
The Villas, residences of the local aristocracy and built by important architects, are open to visitors from Spring till Autumn.
The main Villas are: Villa Malcontenta by Palladio (1556), Villa Pisani a little Versailles once owned by Napoleon and Villa Foscarini Rossi (1500) where a collection of modern art is exhibited together with a museum of footwear which displays "works" by haute couture names.
To mention Casa Petrarca (Petrarca’s house) in Arquà on the Euganean hills where the poet Francesco Petrarca lived from 1370 till 1374.
A visit to the house gives visitors the sensation to live again the atmosphere of the fourteenth century and to feel the great writer’s breeze. 

How to reach Padua: 

By road:    motorway A4 from Latisana or Portogruaro – direction to Venice. After Mestre bypass direction to Padua. Suggested exit: Padua East.

By rail:    from Latisana or Portogruaro railway station take the train to Venice. When in Mestre connection to Padua. 

Fort further information see the sites: 

Azienda di Promozione Turistica di Padova

Trenitalia

Is a work of art

While visiting the town, visitors always gape at the so many wonders offered by Vicenza, the town of Veneto Region acknowledged as world humanity heritage by UNESCO.
Erected on a Roman city planning, Vicenza had its days of splendour under the dominion of Venice (1400-1500) when it became the object of a significant architectural renovation carried out by the architect Andrea Palladio and his successor Vincenzo Scamozzi.
Palladio chose Vicenza as the ideal place where to exhibit his art and indeed he left his mark on many architectural works of the town making it to become a real jewel:
-    Basilica Civile, in Piazza dei Signori, is the result of the renewal and union of pre-existent public palaces in Gothic style: in 1549 Palladio covered them with marble and created colonnades and open galleries giving an amazing harmony to the complex
-    Loggia del Capitaniato, erected in 1571 in front of the Basilica, is named after Capitanio the most important Venetian Authority which had its seat right there. Today it is the seat of the local Town Hall
-    in Corso Palladio, among many more magnificent palaces of the town aristocracy, we find Palazzo Chiericati the Roman ancient decuman built in 1551. Today it is the seat of the city museum and of the art gallery where works of the Venetian painting (between 16th and 18th cent.) are displayed, among them paintings by Paolo Veronese, Jacopo Tintoretto and Giambattista Tiepolo
-    Teatro Olimpico (whose building started in 1580 and was finished by Scamozzi) is the result of the studies Palladio carried out on Roman theatres. Erected on the ancient castle of Carraresi, although the small size of its interiors, it offers perfect acoustics: from the semicircle tier of seats you can have a wonderful sight on the many statues and the sceneries depicting streets and palaces in perspective
-    Villa Almerico Capra, also called "La Rotonda" (=round) completed by Scamozzi, is a perfect example of Palladio’s classicism: its Ionic pronaos, the central dome-shaped salon and its round-shaped plan, all match the surrounding landscape.
All the buildings of the town deserve to be mentioned, let’s see just some of them:
-    the Cathedral (13th-16th cent.) resulting from different periods of construction: the imposing building is in Gothic and Renaissance style, while the clock tower (11th cent.) is in Romanesque style
-    the Church of St. Corona is the Dominican Church (1200) built in Romanesque Gothic style with red bricks. It keeps unique works such as "Il battesimo di Gesù" (=The baptism of Jesus) by Bellini and “L’adorazione dei Magiö (=The adoration of the Kings) by Veronese
-    the Monte Berico Basilica, erected on the Sanctuary of Mary founded in 1428 is in baroque style: rich in decorations of sculptures it keeps the famous "Cena di San Gregorio Magno" (Dinner of St. Gregory the Great) by Veronese
-    Villa Valmorana ai Nani by Antonio Muttoni takes its name from the statues of dwarfs in the park and is a rich country residence of 1700 frescoed by Giambattista Tiepolo 

Surroundings 

Visit the nearby localities between art and nature, it will be a journey rich in wonders.
Journey in nature
-    Monti Berici: hills with impassable paths in an incontaminated nature especially fit for adventure lovers. The journey starts from the above mentioned Sanctuary of Mary
-    Parco di Giazza, with beeches and age-old firs located inside the Lessinia Regional Park, in the district of Verona and Vicenza, is of remarkable naturalistic interest
-    Stagno del Casale is a WWF oasis and is located near Vicenza in the hamlet of Casale. This natural damp area houses flora and fauna protected for their unicity in the territory

The Venetian Villas
Villa Contarini in Piazzola sul Brenta, maybe of Palladio’s project, has a baroque architecture. The magnificence and grandeur of the villa make always an amazing impression on visitors
Villa Cordellina Lombardi,erected between 1735 and 1760 in Montecchio Maggiore where, as legend tells, Romeo and Juliet’s castles were located
Villa Pisani, also called "La Rocca", built on a rise in Lonigo by Vincenzo Scamozzi in 1576, recalls the structure of Palladio’s Rotonda

Historical signs
-    Marostica still today preserves its Gothic aspect of ancient stronghold: two castles, the former on the top of the hill and the latter in the square underneath, and embattled walls winding from the top of the hill down to the village. In September the main square of the city becomes the chessboard of a living chess game
-    Bassano del Grappa with the Middle-Age fortifications of the castles and the ancient walls. It glows with significant buildings: the Cathedral of pre-Romanesque origins, the town palace (1500) and the covered bridge on Brenta river symbol of the town and built on Palladio’s design and moreover sung by a famous song of Alpini (i.e. Italian Alpine troops) and where the first distillery of grappa (=eau-de-vie) is located.

A dream scenery

Villa Manin, a real architectonic jewel, is situated in Passariano, a small outlying ward of the city of Codroipo.
The magnificent complex was erected in about 1650, for Ludovico Manin’s desire, the last Doge of Venice, and offers a unique sight: the imposing three-storey main building is enclosed by a porticoed structure, two lateral sheds and one semicircular square.
The Villa, Manin family’s Summer residence, was the ideal setting of sumptuous celebrations: the rooms on the ground floor, magnificently frescoed by Dorigny, were the heart of these joyful events, when the walls changed to real baroque scenery to re-create imaginary landscapes to amuse the guests.
In the summer hot evenings the guests used to go for a walk in the splendid age-old park along paths which offered countless views, and which were winding among exotic plants, fountains and small lakes. Walks and talks while admiring the mythological statues and the imposing front door of the enclosing walls.
All this splendour vanished when, right in this villa where the Venetian aristocracy used to rejoice, its end was decreed: Napoleon waited for the victory over Venice in Villa Manin. Victory ratified on Oct. 17, 1797 by the Treaty of Campoformido which fixed the cession of Friuli Region as well as of a large part of the Venetian Region to Austria.
Then the Villa knew ups and downs: it was despoiled of its precious furnishings (only few of them are left) and became object of family disputes.
Todays it is back to its original splendour thanks to the intervention of the Ente Ville Venete (Veneto Villas Authority) and of Friuli Venezia Giulia Region.
We think of Napoleon while driving along the Napoleonica national road, wanted by Napoleon himself as link between the city of Palmanova and Villa Manin.
All the year round the Villa hosts important events: antique fairs, shows, concerts, conventions, art exhibitions of international prestige. As well, the Villa is the seat of the School of Restoration.
After visiting the interior of the Villa, also today it is as agreeable as in the past, to take a walk in the 19 hectar magnificent park, whose original baroque characteristics mix with the romantic style of the interventions carried out between 1700 and 1800, when the Villa was restored.
To be mentioned the octagon-shaped chapel situated outward the complex, the only church of the village, where Manin family used to hear Mass, and where today works by Giuseppe Torretti, a Venetian sculptor of 1700 master of Canova, are displayed.

For further information: www.villamanin.com 

  The charm and elegance of a sea town 

Trieste, a town which is impossible to be defined: its many-sided charm of Central Europe crossroad influenced important writers such as Italo Svevo, Umberto Saba and James Joyce.
Trieste, whose beating heart is represented by the magnificent Piazza Unità facing on to the “Riveö, is a centre of music: the Verdi Theatre, erected in 1801 near the sea, inspired the Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi and still today is enchanting the lovers of music and theatre.
Trieste is the meeting-place for literature. Historical rendezvous are Caffè Tommaseo , fit for reading and conversation, and Caffé San Marco, well known for its confectionary and which looks like the typical Viennese cafés.
Trieste displays precious treasures: the Cenotafio by Wincklemann exhibited in the History and Art Municipal Museum, the drawings by Tiepolo in the Sartorio Museum, the stage costumes – a collection which is second to the one of the Scala of Milan only – in the Morpurgo Museum, the modern art gallery in the Museo Revoltella and the dinosaur Antonio, the only complete fossile of Androsaur in the National History Municipal Museum.
Trieste is an open town. The Cathedral of St. Giusto (14th cent.) on the top of the hill having the same name, the Greek-Orthodox church of St. Nicolò with precious goldsmith’s icons, the Serb-Orthodox church of St. Spiridione shining with Byzantine art, and the Jewish temple, one of the largest synagogues in Europe, they all are examples of the spirit of tolerance of the town.
Trieste lights up with sport events: in May the Marathon of Europe hosts athlets from all over the world and in October the Sailing Regata Barcolana which sees the participation of all classes of sailing boats.
Trieste is the cradle of science: the International Centre of Theoretic Physics, the Scientific Laboratory of Synchrotron, the AREA Science Park, they are just some of the world known institutions of Trieste.
Trieste is nature, with its sea and the charming Carso, the upland plain of the Giulie Pre-Alps formed by calcareous stones and natural heritage unique for its fauna and flora. 

Surroundings 

- The Castle of Miramare, on the bay of Grignano, was the residence of Maximilian of Austria, emperor Frank Joseph’s brother, and of his wife Carlotta. The white of its walls shows up from the green of the immense park of rare plants which surrounds it. The furnishing of the rooms is the original one. From the windows of the castle a magnificent view is assured.
- The Rilke Path, winding between Duino and Sistiana and dedicated to Rainer Maria Rilke who right here wrote his "Duino Elegies", is a place of amazing beauty, overhanging the sea and plunged in the wood.
Not far from the path, the Castle of Duino and the Karst springs of the Timavo river where, as legend tells, Argonauts landed.
- Muggia is plunged in the greenery between the coast and the hills. The Basilica (9th cent.) in the old part of the city, testifies the Roman past of Muggia, while the Cathedral façade and the other buildings are in Gothic-Venetian style. Muggia is well known for its Carnival, a colourful festival with allegorical floats and fancy dresses whose realisation involves all the inhabitants.
- The Giant Cave is the largest natural cavity in the world and may be wholly passed through. The lighting of the stalactites and stalagmites offers a spectacular effect. At the entry of the cave the Speleological Museum with finds from the Carso. 

For further information 

Trieste Municipality  

Trenitalia
Ronchi dei Legionari Airport 

How to arrive to Trieste 

By road motorway A4 from Latisana, follow signs for Trieste

By rail from Latisana railway station, direction Trieste

A salon in Venetian style signed by Tiepolo

Udine is a tranquil town and a flourishing trading centre with luxury shops mostly situated in via Rialto.

The heart of Udine is Piazza Libertà (Square of Liberty) where its main monuments are located: the white and pink coloured Loggia del Lionello, erected in 1448, is a splendid example of Gothic-Venetian style, the Statua della Pace (Statue of Peace) was given as a gift to the town by Emperor Frances 1st on the occasion of the Treaty of Campoformido, and the two Moors (1850) which strike the hours on the Clock Tower.

From Piazza Libertà, along the Gothic-Venetian style frescoed colonnade, we can get up to the hill of the Castle.
Legend tells that from this hill Attila looked at Aquileia on fire.
On the top of the hill the Castle stands out: it is an elegant palace in Renaissance style situated in the greenery of hedges and creepers. It was destroyed by a fire in 1511 and rebuilt in 1517-1595.

From via Mercatovecchio (Old Market), with its characteristic colonnades where shops and cafès are located, we arrive to Piazza Matteotti-St. Giacomo seat of important events such as the antique fair (held on the first Sunday of the month) and Friuli DOC (held in October) an international fair whose main role is played by the typical products of the region. Both events are surely not to be missed.
Going in search of Giambattista Tiepolo’s paintings is an interesting route of visit. Start with the imposing Duomo, the main church of Udine (its oldest part dates back to 1335) whose interiors in baroque style offer precious works by the painter. Continue with the near Oratorio della Purità (Oratory of Purity) where the fresco of “Assuntaö, one of the best artist’s masterpieces, is displayed. Then go to Palazzo Arcivescovile (Archibishop’s Palace) magnificently frescoed by Tiepolo in 1726-28 and to the Salone del Parlamento (Parliament Hall) of the Patria del Friuli.

Surroundings: the cities near Udine are all treasures to be discovered.

Cividale del Friuli, seat of the first Lombard kingdom in Italy, lays in the Natisone river Valleys, an uncontaminated naturalist area. Many are the Lombard manufactures to be seen and among them surely not to be missed the Lombard Temple with decorations of the 7th cent. and choir-stalls of the 15th cent.
On the Feast of the Epiphany the Mass of the Sword is held in the main church of the city, while the Palio of St. Donato is organized in August and Mittelfest, an international music and theatre festival, in July.
The Ponte del Diavolo (Devil’s Bridge) dating back to the 15th cent., is the symbol of Cividale. It rests on a rock that, as legend tells, was thrown by the devil himself.
Near Cividale it is worth a visit the Sanctuary of Castelmonte, destination of many believers.

Codroipo is located in the area of DOC wine production and comes to live in October when the fair of St. Simone is held.
Southwords an area of remarkable naturalist interest: the Parco delle Risorgive (Karst Springs Park).
Near Codroipo, in the little city of Rivolto, there is the air base of Frecce Tricolori , the Italian Acrobatic Air Patrol known all over the world.
As well, in Passariano, Villa Manin, a sumptuous palace of the Cinquecento used as Summer residence by the Venetian Doge and Napoleon’s residence in 1797 during the Treaty of Campoformido. The villa, surrounded by a luxuriant park, is open all year round and is seat of important displays.

Palmanova, the star-shaped city, was erected in the 17th cent. by the Venetian Republic as counterfort against the Turk.
Acknowledged as national monument, it represents a rare example of fortress-city: it has preserved the original star-shaped plan and is enclosed by a threefold circle of fortified walls, with three imposing gates and sunburst-streets winding towards the centre constituted by an hexagonal square.
In July Palmanova organizes the Rievocazione Storica, an event that makes the historical atmosphere of four hundred years ago come to live.

 

For further information click on: 

Comune di Udine  

How to reach Udine: 

By road: motorway A4 from Latisana toll-gate and then motorway A23 direction to Udine.
By rail from the railway station of Portogruaro.
By bus from Latisana.