Ca’ Sverio is situated in the eastern part of the Treviso Pre-Alps, a region comprising plains, hills and mountains, characterised by numerous picturesque historic villages that have sprung up on the slopes of the two highest peaks in the Treviso Pre-Alps (Monte Visentin and Monte Pizzoc), from whose summits the entire plain can be seen. As well as its natural and historical beauty, this area is home to a wealth of sites, events and festivals that enrich the visitor experience and will help you get to know the local communities better.
Furthermore, within easy reach for a ‘day trip’, you can visit some of the world’s most famous destinations, such as Venice, the beaches of the Adriatic Sea, the Dolomites and the Prosecco Hills – all UNESCO World Heritage Sites. But we’d also like to recommend a few other destinations – perhaps not quite as famous, but possibly more relaxing – such as the Cansiglio Forest, the lakes of the Treviso Pre-Alps and the Educational Theme Parks of the Alta Marca Trevigiana, all ideal for families and children. Have a lovely holiday!
No further explanation is needed. Every year, more than 30 million people choose to visit the City of the Serenissima and its fantastic, warm, sandy coastline.
Climbing aboard a gondola, crossing the Grand Canal via the Rialto Bridge, having a coffee in St Mark’s Square or making a wish whilst passing under the Bridge of Sighs are all experiences that everyone should have at least once in their lifetime. But Venice is so much more than that. Every palace, every alleyway, every square has a story to tell, and often even those who live there for a while or work there fail to discover all the details and secrets this marvellous city conceals. Sometimes, when you open a doorway or peek through a window of any old house, you’ll see frescoed ceilings, rich gilded wooden decorations or incredible sculptures.
But Venice is not just a city. It is the centre of a network of waterways, canals, islands and basins known as the Venetian Lagoon, which is well worth visiting, especially by boat. Islands such as Murano, Burano and Torcello are often described as ‘secondary’ destinations, but they are just as fascinating – and not just because of the master glassmakers who still work on the ground floors of the colourful houses. The lagoon also offers breathtaking panoramas, spectacular views of the Dolomites and encounters with the local wildlife, consisting mainly of seabirds.
The edge of the lagoon, where it meets the Adriatic Sea, gives rise to the splendid beaches of the Lido di Venezia, Jesolo, Eraclea Mare, Caorle and Bibione – summer holiday destinations that attract tourists from all over the world every year.
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Indeed, from Ca’ Sverio, it takes just over an hour’s drive to reach the ‘UNESCO World Heritage’ mountains, the Dolomites, famous for their white vertical rock faces, which ‘blush’ at sunset, giving rise to that magnificent phenomenon known as ‘Enrosadira’.
In winter, the Dolomites are one of the most famous destinations for skiing, boasting ski resorts of incredible beauty, such as those at Civetta, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Falcade–San Pellegrino, and Padola and Sappada, to name just a few in Veneto. Yes, because contrary to what is often said, as much as 40 per cent of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are not in Trentino-Alto Adige but in Veneto – just as Cortina d’Ampezzo, the queen of the Dolomites, is in Veneto. Surprised, aren’t you?
But above all, the Dolomites are about nature, peace and tranquillity – if you know where to go. During the summer,
in fact, there are countless trails criss-crossing the Dolomites, and many of these – whilst absolutely stunning – are not overrun by mass tourism. You don’t need to go climbing or venture along a via ferrata to be alone with nature. If you’d like some advice, do ask us – we’re here to help!
Nestled between two existing UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the Dolomites and Venice (and its lagoon) – another site was recognised as a World Heritage Site in 2018: the Prosecco Hills of Conegliano–Valdobbiadene, which, despite their name, encompass territories that also include the municipalities of Vittorio Veneto and Pieve di Soligo.
A land of ‘heroic winegrowers’, this area has been recognised not only for the beauty of its landscape but also for its long-standing local winemaking and food and wine traditions, characterised by numerous products of excellence and an equally large number of small-scale local producers.
Staying at Ca’ Sverio, whilst remaining a short distance from the large vineyards, you’ll be less than 15 minutes from the ‘heart’ of the Prosecco Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which can be reached not only by car but also by bus (lines 302 and 303) or by e-bikes (which we provide) in less than half an hour of assisted cycling.
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Often ‘overlooked’ compared to its more famous neighbours (Venice, Verona, the Dolomites), the province of Treviso is an enchanting destination for those wishing to avoid mass tourism. Abundant with charming historic villages, protected natural areas and mountains that are not too rugged – ideal for sporting activities – the Marca Trevigiana is gradually attracting more and more visitors, drawn also by the fine food and highly prized wines.
The provincial capital, Treviso, is a little gem surrounded by spring-fed waters, far from mass tourism and brimming with interesting and lively venues, especially at aperitif time – a ‘must’ in these parts. But we mustn’t forget towns such as Castelfranco Veneto (with its walls), Asolo (a real gem), Vittorio Veneto (the town where the First World War ended) and Oderzo (with its Roman ruins). Smaller in size but equally worth visiting are villages such as Cison di Valmarino, Follina, Valdobbiadene, Portobuffolè and Roncade, rich in history and tradition, as well as Silea (with the Sile Park), Revine Lago (with the Revine Lakes, a Natura 2000 site), the Cansiglio Forest (Regional Park) and Montello – all places where you can enjoy lush and bountiful natural surroundings. For those wishing to head up into the hills, we recommend Monte Grappa, Monte Cese, Monte Visentin and Monte Pizzoc, all of which can be reached by car, but are far more picturesque when climbed on foot along the numerous trails that wind their way up them.
Recently, in the northern part of the Marca Trevigiana – known as the Alta Marca – a number of small natural and cultural heritage sites have begun to collaborate to provide activities suitable for families and children, giving rise to the network of Thematic Educational Parks of the Alta Marca Trevigiana. Caves, pile dwellings, pojat (traditional stone huts), olive groves, mills, urban parks, illustrations and frescoes have become attractions where visitors can ‘learn whilst exploring’, discovering ancient knowledge, traditions and customs.
Useful links:
https://www.turismovittorioveneto.it
The Cansiglio is a vast plateau, surrounded by the forest of the same name, situated straddling the regions of Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, between the provinces of Belluno, Treviso and Pordenone, at an altitude of between 900 m and 1,200 m above sea level. A magical place, where, more than 1,500 years ago, the Republic of Venice would come to gather the timber needed to build the city and later its ships, and where today many people head up to enjoy a bit of cool relief on sweltering summer days or to find snow and go sledging down the gentle slopes surrounding the central plain.
The Cansiglio Forest is a Regional Park, characterised by splendid beech woods and the phenomenon of ‘karst’, which dots the landscape with caves and holes (known, in fact, as ‘bus’), but also by a very large population of ungulates (mainly deer), which in October – the rutting season – attracts countless enthusiasts and photographers, even late at night.
But Cansiglio is also a wonderful place for walks, cycle rides or picnics, not to mention the delicious restaurants, which serve traditional dishes and, above all, local dairy products (we highly recommend trying the ‘yoghurt ice cream’ at Bar Bianco, especially with wild berries!).
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Here we enter a hidden world, a ‘hidden gem’ known only to a select few. The valley that rises from Vittorio Veneto towards Belluno and the Dolomites (Val Lapisina) is characterised by a series of lakes, some larger, others smaller, which help to keep the summer evenings in Vittorio Veneto ‘cool’. Lake Negrisiola, Lake Restello and Lake Morto unfold in succession to create a captivating vista, marred only slightly by the pylons of the A27 motorway, built some forty years ago with no regard for the natural surroundings that now encircle it. But that’s not all. Once over the Fadalto Pass, the view opens out onto the ‘lower Dolomites’, but what really strikes the visitor is Lake Santa Croce, a true gem for water sports enthusiasts.
Lake Morto, in particular, and Lake Santa Croce offer, during the summer months, well-maintained, stony and natural beaches where you can enjoy the cool water and take refreshing, revitalising dips, accompanied by bars and cafés where you can grab a sandwich and have a cold drink. But these two lakes also offer strong winds, ideal for kitesurfing or windsurfing, as well as inviting waters and shores for lovely canoe or kayak trips.
Links utili:
https://www.turismovittorioveneto.it/home/citta/ambiente/laghi.html
https://www.naturalmentevittorioveneto.it/v4-giro-lago-morto/
https://www.dolomitiprealpi.it/lago-di-santa-croce-2/#/punti-di-interesse
https://www.dolomiti.it/it/fiumi-laghi-cascate/lago-di-santa-croce-belluno
https://www.dolomiti.it/it/fiumi-laghi-cascate/lago-di-santa-croce-belluno
Fancy putting your legs and lungs to the test? Well, this hike is just the thing for you! Around 1,000 metres of elevation gain to cover in about two and a quarter hours (a little less if you’re fit), along a fantastic route which, as it emerges from the woods just past the wayside shrine dedicated to the Madonna dell’Agnelezza, offers extraordinary views over the valley and the Revine lakes (a Natura 2000 site), the Treviso Pre-Alps (the Visentin and Cesen mountains in particular), the Treviso plain and, if the sky is clear enough, the Adriatic Sea and Venice.
At the summit, the Rifugio Vittorio Veneto awaits you, offering excellent meals and, if you decide to spend the night at the 1,565-metre summit, comfortable accommodation.
The return journey can be made either via the same path taken on the way up or as a ‘loop’ route, descending via Cadolten along the Santo road, which will take you back to the starting point in about 2 hours. For the fittest and most ‘daring’ hikers, we recommend the ‘Direttissima’ route, which branches off from the path described just before reaching the Capitello della Madonna dell’Agnelezza and climbs almost vertically up to the Vittorio Veneto mountain refuge, reaching it in under an hour.
For the return journey, follow the route described above.
A circular walk of around three and a half hours which, starting from the Church of San Pancrazio in Montaner di Sarmede, will take you up to Col Alt (a listed monument) at 870 metres above sea level, passing through the picturesque Parco dei Carbonai, a magical place nestled in the Cansiglio Forest where you can learn about the ancient technique of charcoal production.
The trail, signposted by the CAI (no. 1061), winds its way first along the gentle slopes overlooking the village of Montaner, passing by the Chiesetta del Santo (dedicated to St Anthony and built around 1930 on the site of an 18th-century shrine), before continuing uphill, to the left of the church, along a short stretch of path, until it crosses the forest track leading to the ‘Col de Faè’ area, at around 700 metres above sea level. From there, a shaded path takes you uphill through beautiful pine woods to the Parco dei Carbonai at 850 metres, before continuing on a gentle slope to Col Alt, where you can enjoy a magnificent view over the Veneto and Friuli plains.
The return route heads south-east towards Monte Castelir, crossing path 1060 and descending to Borgo Val, from where you take the provincial road back to the starting point.
Duration: approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes
This picturesque trail starts at the historic little square in Rugolo, next to the famous church with its portal painted by the great Štěpán Zavřel. From there, head north along Via Rugolet and begin climbing along an easy tarmac road until you reach a junction, where you turn left, continuing uphill.
After just under 200 metres, you’ll come across two signposts, both pointing towards Cima Castelir: we recommend taking the CAI path (no. 1040), which continues straight on between the houses, leaving the second, easier route on your right – this is the one to take on the way back down.
You’ll soon find yourself climbing through woods and past old farmhouses until you come to a forest track, which you cross to continue along path no. 1040.
At the end of this path, at a ‘saddle’ where no fewer than four routes meet (one of which leads to Cima della Cima and, further on, to the Parco dei Carbonai), you climb steeply to the right and, in less than 5 minutes, reach the ‘Chiesetta Castelir’, from where you can enjoy a breathtaking view over the entire Veneto plain.
For the return journey, follow path no. 1040 again; this now becomes an easy concrete road, but when you reach a hairpin bend, continue along the road despite the signs for path no. 1040 pointing to the right. This will take you back to the village of Rugolet and then to Rugolo, your starting point, in under 45 minutes.