Venezia

The loveliest city in the world. So much so that there are places where they’ve even tried to reproduce it. Elsewhere, imitations turn up, from Murano glass to the lace work of Burano. They can try, but Venice is unique. Its enchantment is inimitable whatever the time of year. And fortune smiles on Jesolo too, the city that has always been considered its natural extension. It’s not by chance that many tourists who decide to combine their trip to Venice depart from Jesolo Lido , embarking from Punta Sabbioni. The journey across the lagoon is by motorboat, and you land after about 30 min at Riva degli Schiavoni, close to Piazza San Marco. Walk through the calli of the business centre, you will eventually come to the Rialto Bridge; after which go back to Piazza San Marco where you can admire the historic loveliness of Venice, the square’s main monuments as well as those nearby: the Ducal palace, the Bridge of Sighs, the Procuratie, the Library, the Island of San Giorgio, the Basilica della Salute and naturally, the Basilica of San Marco, which can also be visited inside. At lunchtime, stop off at a traditional restaurant. Spend the afternoon visiting cultural sites, shopping or other activities, including a gondola ride. Leave Venice late afternoon and reach Punta Sabbioni after a 30 min motorboat journey, then carry on to Lido di Jesolo.

Leave from Lido di Jesolo, arrive at Punta Sabbioni then board a motorboat and off to the three most famous islands of the Venetian lagoon: Murano, Burano and Torcello. Murano: here you can visit a typical glassworks and watch a display of glass blowing by the master glass workers. Afterwards, take a look around the island to see what you could buy. Burano: visit a gallery where you can admire the display of splendid examples of lace work, some of which date back to the 16th century; then either do a little shopping and/or take a walk around and drink in the atmosphere and colour of this fascinating and picturesque island. Burano is also known as the island of the artists, as it has been chosen by painters as being the perfect place to capture the features of the lagoon, with its colours, fishermen and boats. Torcello: your trip to the lagoon islands would not be complete without a visit to the island which is symbolic of the splendours of Venice’s past, an island that used to have around 30,000 inhabitants and where countless churches and palaces rose up to the sky. Torcello was one of the first islands to be settled following the Barbarian invasions, becoming in effect the lagoon’s first political and administrative centre, even before Venice itself. Various events brought about its progressive abandonment. These days, only about 60 people live there. Amongst the monuments remaining, you should visit the Church of S. Fosca and the Basilica and Cathedral of S. Maria Assunta, consecrated in 639 A.C.E, which contain lovely and wonderful mosaics. Torcello is also celebrated because of the presence of the Locanda Cipriani, a typical hotel restaurant where well-known people from all over the world have stayed (including Ernest Hemingway who remained a long time on the island). Back to Punta Sabbioni and then on to Lido di Jesolo. One way of combining the cultural aspect with admiring the landscape is to take a trip to the wonderful architecture of Verona and the enchanting environment of Sirmione, the green peninsular jutting out into the blue waters of Lake Garda. You leave from Lido di Jesolo and arrive at Verona. Trips to Verona leaving from Jesolo Lido. In Verona, it’s almost compulsory to walk through the historic centre, passing Piazza Bra with the Verona Arena (one of the largest Roman amphitheatres still in existence), the elegant Piazza dei Signori with its Loggia, Piazza delle Erbe, the Reggia degli Scala, the medieval Palazzo del Comune and the gothic Scaligere Arches. Once you have gone round Verona make a quick visit to the medieval house which, according to popular tradition, was home to Juliet. You can reach Sirmione in about half an hour. Visit Scaligero Castle – with its drawbridge at the entrance to the town – and the Caves of Catullus, with the remains of a grandiose nobleman’s abode from Roman times. In your free time, you could visit the different shops or join in a trip out on the lake, which lasts about 20 minutes, with its journey around Sirmione on board a private motorboat.

Departure from Sirmione and back to Jesolo. Leaving from Jesolo and after having passed the historic town of Vittorio Veneto (linked to the events of the First World War), you cross the Fadalto Pass, at the end of which you can pause on the banks of the Santa Croce lake. After passing Ponte nelle Alpi and Longarone, you’ve arrived at Cadore, a mountain district brimming with greenery and evocative landscapes. As you draw closer to your destination you can make out some of the most well-known Dolomite peaks: Sorapis, Antelao, Pelmo and the Five Towers. From Cortina you can take a trip to Mount Faloria, which can be reached from Cortina thanks to a cable car service. The mountain peak offers splendid panoramic views over Cortina and the surrounding area, the red Tofane, Mount Cristallo and other impressive peaks. During the return journey, make a brief stop at Lake Misurina, one of Italy’s loveliest mountain lakes (and only 30 minutes from Cortina); arrival back in Jesolo.