Belluno
Charming alpine town of Belluno
According to Cheeroutdoor, the romantically situated northern Italian Belluno is the capital of the province of the same name in Veneto. Those who love the impressive mountains and the alpine flair will find one of the most beautiful alpine towns in the region in this magical place. A rustic mountain culture and the Italian way of life mix perfectly. The attractive mountain scenery of the mighty Dolomites in the northern background and the two rivers Piave and Ardo make the dreamlike village a fantastic holiday home. Numerous tourists are drawn in every year for relaxation and activities. Peace seekers, hikers and climbers get their money’s worth here.
Exciting mix of nature and culture
The many cozy and comfortable hostels invite you to a relaxing stay. Exciting impressions are conveyed everywhere here. The Venetian architecture in the old town delights those interested in culture. One of the most interesting sights is the Chiesa di Santo Stefano from the fifteenth century with an imposing bronze door by the sculptor Dante Moro. The Palazzo dei Rettori from the same century is considered the symbol of the city.
Sports opportunities for active vacationers
The beautiful gorge Forre del Torrente Ardo was formed by the raging river over hundreds of thousands of years. In the summer months you can enjoy the landscape around Belluno in addition to extensive hiking with Nordic walking or mountain biking. In winter there are numerous winter sports opportunities.
Bergamo
Art culture and stracciatella ice cream
Bergamo – art and history meet in this northern Italian metropolis. Here the former medieval atmosphere has apparently withstood the times, and it comes to life between the old walls and in the quiet alleys of the historic center. Anyone who visits Bergamo will realize that this city has completely different faces. On the one hand, there is the face of a still flourishing industry in the neighborhood of Milan. And then there are the oases of silence in the Città Alta, where the upper town begins in the shadow of the gates and where cars have always been taboo.
The birth town of Donizetti
Domenico Gaetano Maria Donizetti, the brilliant Italian composer, left his mark on Bergamo in the early 19th century. The world of opera lovers owes him immortal works to him. In his hometown, Donizetti was erected a marble monument next to the Teatro that bears his name in Piazza Cavour. Numerous palazzi and villas in Bergamo date from Donizetti’s time. They all come together against the backdrop of the Bergamasque Alps to form an impressive historical ensemble.
The magnificent Piazza Vecchia
The Piazza Vecchia was built on the ruins of a Roman forum and is the medieval center of Bergamo. The Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier, who achieved world renown under this pseudonym, described the Piazza Vecchia as one of the most beautiful squares in the world. It is framed by Bergamo’s most important buildings – the Palazzo della Ragione, the town hall and some photogenic splendid buildings. Corbusier said it was a crime to change just one stone there.
A city wall with four gates
In the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore you can admire important inlays by the famous Renaissance artist Lorenzo Lotto, while the Venetian city wall is broken by four magnificent gates. The citadel, which dates back to 1355, has a beautiful courtyard. The visitor can enjoy the best overview of the city and its spectacular surroundings from the district of Vigilio, which can be reached with a funicular.
Aquileia
Quite a few vacationers make a mistake on their way to the Italian lagoon city of Grado: They don’t turn left in front of the dam that separates the mainland from Grado. You are missing out on an ancient jewel that is unparalleled in Veneto and the province of Udine. Aquileia is undoubtedly a pearl among the tourist attractions of Italy, and the city has always been a magnet for secular and spiritual rulers from different eras. Prominent visitors include Julius Caesar, Marcus Aurelius, Emperor Augustus and Constantine the Great. More recently, Pope John Paul II paid his respects to the Basilica of Aquileia.
A bulwark against the barbarians
The now rather sleepy village on the Adriatic coast was an important trading center and metropolis of the “Venetia et Histria” region during the Roman era. As early as 181 BC, Aquileia was developed into a bulwark against the attacks of the barbarians and was one of the most fascinating cities in the empire. From this time, the ruins of the Roman Forum at the entrance to the village and the remains of the Roman basilica can be visited today. The testimonies of the past can be seen in the three museums of Aquileia, among other places.
A center of proselytizing
In the first and second centuries after the birth of Christ, Aquileia was the starting point of missionary activity and a center of evangelism in Europe. From here Christianity reached Istria, Slovenia, Hungary, Dalmatia and Carinthia. The patriarchal basilica from the early 10th century, which is now part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, presents itself with its impressive mosaics and frescoes as a unique treasure of the city. The bell tower, visible from afar, was commissioned in 1031. The extensive floor mosaics with scenes from the Old Testament were only discovered in the 20th century. Archaeological finds can also be seen in a crypt inside the basilica. The entire architectural style of the church has Gothic accents,
