An unusual and carefree way to make the most of a holiday in the province of Venice is to stay in one of the well-equipped agritourisms in the area, enjoying total relaxation among art and nature. The right place to start the visit is undoubtedly the provincial capital itself. There is no place on earth where the name Venice is unknown, and people everywhere marvel at the thought of the scenic, open-air museum that is this unique lagoon city.
Aboard a sleepy ferry traversing the city towards the famous Piazza San Marco, you may at times become overwhelmed at finding yourself face to face with such a parade of works of art, and so you look down at the water instead, to admire the reflection of an almost excessive beauty. In a blaze of golden mosaics and sinuous arabesque shapes, the imposing Basilica of San Marco welcomes you into the city's parlour, with elegant music playing in the background, a lingering aroma of coffee, and the undisturbed fluttering of pigeons, which are the inevitable subject of millions of photographs. To stroll along the streets of Venice, perhaps with no particular destination, allowing yourself the luxury of daydreaming in front of one of its many wonders, is perhaps the best way to let the city seduce you; and, with a little luck, you might find yourself outside the majestic Church of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, the custodian of priceless works such as the altarpiece by Titian depicting the Ascension of the Virgin.
Just 20 km from Venice is the picturesque town of Mira where the River Brenta winds like a fluid link between the different zones, crossing canals and ditches that border parks of great beauty. Nature, in fact, is Mira's true defining feature, and our advice is to visit the town on foot or by bicycle, or, of course, by boat, and with a stop at the interesting Ecomuseum, with its exhibition space and specialised library.
Also in the province of Venice, the small town of Musile di Piave is well worth a visit. Here the major interest seems to revolve around the Town Hall, not only because it contains valuable Roman artefacts, but also because of an annual event that occurs every 7 August, when the mayor receives two capons as a gift from the mayor of the nearby town of San Donà di Piave. This tradition began in the Middle Ages, when a flood diverted the course of the River Piave and moved the chapel of San Donato to Musile. Thus the two communities decided that while Musile's residents would keep San Donato as their patron saint, the town of San Donà would in exchange present an annual tribute of two capons to their neighbours.
For a relaxing sunbathe and dip in the sea, nothing could be better than a stop at nearby Eraclea, a true oasis of wellbeing with spectacular views of nature.
There are also beautiful wide beaches at Cavallino Treporti, which becomes animated in the summertime not only because of the tourists, but also due to the elegant pink flamingos that bring a touch of colour and magic to an area of great natural beauty.
Theprovince of Venice is a true gift package to be unwrapped and discovered with increasing wonder – even better while enjoying the benefits an agritourism holiday can bring, and while enjoying delicious local dishes such as Venetian-style liver, salt cod, riso e bisi (rice and peas) and the trusty staple food, polenta.
Did you know that...?
When it comes to transgression, the "Serenissima" seems to have nothing to envy today's Amsterdam. In fact, as early as 1300 the city government established a red light district near the Rialto, where the many courtesans (about ten thousand) were required to live, and from the balconies of the buildings displayed their graces to curious passersby .
The courtesans' code of behavior was, moreover, regulated by strict rules, such as a ban on entering taverns or walking around the city on any day but Saturday.
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