Discovering the Beauty of Veneto Tour: Treviso, Feltre, Belluno & Cibiana

Cafes set out their tables in the morning along the cobblestone streets as umbrellas shade the chairs. Lingering patrons relax and enjoy the sounds of the trickling water as the locals pass through the cafes on their way to work. The scent of fresh espresso joins the aroma of fresh water that rises from the River Sile. Your guide will meet you at your hotel after breakfast for an encompassing tour of the streets, art, and architecture of Treviso.

The town offers the perfect introduction to Veneto based on the historical art and magnificent natural landscape. Your guide will point out the flagship store of Benetton, a source of pride for the community as the home of such a globally recognized company. Behind the store stands the stunning Palazzo dei Trecento, which marks the center of town. The structure was erected between the 13th and 14th-centuries as the main administrative offices of the community. The palace continues to maintain the town hall, and the brickwork has a slight golden hue in the morning light.

The mullion windows on the upper floor highlight the supportive arch necessary to keep the building upright, followed by the secondary purpose of allowing natural light to enter the interior space. Follow your guide through the galleries of the palace to view the frescoes painted by Venetian artists between the 14th and 16th-centuries. Each fresco adheres to the themes of justice and civil power, which were important to the Venetian Republic. The former church of Santa Caterina now contains the Civic Museum, home to the vivid colors of frescos painted by masters such as Bellini, Lotto, and Titian.

The morning light glints off of the quiet surface water of Treviso’s canals. After breakfast, your private transfer will meet you at your hotel to escort you to the historical and medieval town of Feltre. The flatlands of the nearby lagoon turn into the lush greenery at the foothills of the Dolomites as walking trails crisscross the wildflowers, oak, and cypress trees that blossom across the landscape. Fallow and roe deer graze on the meadow grass. The town of Feltre was established before Roman times and includes iconic structures that date back to the late 15th-century. The old town stands perched on the hillside crowned by Alboino Castle and the Feltrine Peaks are visible from the streets.

The Republic of Venice gave Feltre its current design with opulent palaces and stunning squares framed with loggias. Lavish houses line the main street of Via Mezzaterra, and the pointed roofs protect the structures from winter snow. Casa Crico contains delicate frescoes that depict episodic biblical tales as painted by Lorenzo Luzzo. Four towers surround the Alboino Castle in the traditional style of manors at the time, and a clock tower overlooks the Piazza Maggiore, adorned with a crescent moon taken from the Middle East during the Venetian wars of the late 16th-century. In the heart of Piazza Maggiore, you can sit at a charming cafe and enjoy the view of the castle grounds as they soar above the elegant streets.

You will venture closer to the peaks of the Dolomites as you leave Feltre behind for the capital city of the region at Belluno. The mountaintops reach well over 10,000 feet above sea level and feature unique limestone ridges that account for their pale coloration and interesting shape. The white facades of the buildings that border Belluno contrast with the lush greenery that sprouts along the banks of the Piave River. The crisp mountain air hints at the snow-capped peaks as the waters of the Piave River rush along the base of the ridge. The historical center of Belluno contains remarkable views of the landscape and Renaissance structures that accentuate the encircling beauty of the Dolomites.

Porta Rugo was erected in the 12th-century and retains its typical medieval design, along with its role as the gateway to the center of the city. The buildings provide bright hues along the streets that amble up and into the foothills. The bell tower of the Cathedral imitates the mountaintops as it soars above the piazza with an adorning bulbous dome that reaches a height of more than 220 feet above the streets. The tower was erected in the 18th-century and boasts one of the finest examples of Baroque towers in the country. Your guide will lead you to the colonnades of Piazza del Mercato that point to the fabulous décor of the square that frames the central 15th-century fountain.

The enchanting atmosphere of the mountains blends perfectly with the sleepy charm of Belluno’s streets. You can spend time in the morning to listen as the river brushes against the rocks of the bluff. Sip a soothing and invigorating cappuccino before you traverse the streets of Belluno once more as you visit the lavish museums. Fresh greenery emanates from the Piazza dei Martiri at the heart of Belluno, whose beauty is emphasized by the Neoclassical façade of Teatro Comunale. The Museo Civico exhibits a collection of interesting paintings done on wood and canvas dating back to the 15th-century.

Enter the Sala della Camminata to find fragmented frescoes painted by Jacopo da Montagnana to create a regal ambiance at the seat of the Nobles Council. The artwork captures the beauty of life and human existence as told through allegory and vedutismo style. In the early afternoon, you can take the chairlift to the top of Mount Faverghera. The calcareous soil contains majestic caves and brimming wells. A high-altitude meadow blushes with blossoming flax-leaved bellflower and orchids as black woodpeckers knock against the trees. Pigmy owls rest beneath the canopy, and you will have a pristine view of the mountains, meadows, and forest with the rooftops of Belluno fading below.

Your eyes will fill with the colorful landscape, from the bright green grass along the foothills to the shimmering white limestone peaks of the Dolomite Mountains. After breakfast, you will make your way into the Bellunesi Dolomites National Park to explore a portion of the 7,900 acres of protected land. The area gained prominence in the 18th-century for its gorgeous flora and hidden fauna. The Valle del Mis includes trails that follow the lower ridges and crags between Mount Fornel and Mount Sperone. Lake Mis reflects the emerald canopy that blankets the mountainside to offer the pristine landscape you hoped to find. Frogs linger on the marshy edges of the lakeshore and mallards glide across the serene water at a leisurely pace.

The slopes give way to spectacular waterfalls that overtake the rocky steps, and the water has shaped the stone to produce natural pools, some reaching a depth of more than 13 feet. Follow the trail to reach the waterfall Soffia, a spectacle at a height of nearly 40 feet. The water thunders down the rocky roof of the canyon carved by the River Soffia to echo between the cliffs. Graceful mist sprays the wooden walkway and above the ridges, you will spot a golden eagle that extends its wingspan to more than 26 inches in length. Purple wildflowers bloom in the lush summer and snow returns to the mountaintops during late summer rain.

The ancient structure of the Church of Santa Maria dei Battuti stands beside a small oak park to offer a perfect view of the colorful façade. The interior features preserved frescoes, including 44 wooden boards that decorate the ceiling and date back to the 15th-century. The splendor of Belluno blends effortlessly into the natural mystique of they Dolomites. After breakfast, your guide will escort you to the ancient town of Cadore, which is situated beneath impressive massifs, and near the stunning valley sand lakes.

The region encompasses more than 900 square miles, and the peak of Mount Pelmo strikes a dramatic figure at nearly 10,400 feet above sea level. The limestone summits create a giant block visible from the surrounding alpine valleys. Step onto the trail of Triol del Caval as the breeze rustles the trees to carry the scent of pine from the forest canopy.  The trail will bring you to an open meadow with a view of the Dolomites as they bask in the drifting sunlight. Deer graze on the grass in the tranquil surroundings far from the bustle of the cities and you will relax into the serenity of the alpine breeze as you continue upwards to the summit base of Mount Pelmo. The trail will lead you around the rock walls of the mountain’s upper tiers to a section guarded by a steel cable path at the base of Forca Rossa.

The light of the morning in Cibiana spreads across the mountaintops and lush valleys of the Dolomites. The scent of rich cappuccino emanates from the quiet cafes of town. Artists have captured the history of the village, along with the natural beauty of the landscape on the walls of the homes that line the narrow streets. Depictions of the dairyman and blacksmith highlight the ancient past with more than 50 frescoes that brighten the facades. The Museum of the Mountains stands atop an imposing figure of Mount Rite.

The World War I stronghold built into the mountain once stood to protect the borders with imposing sentries. Today, the structure exhibits archeological finds, photos, and paintings that capture the essence of alpine life. Your private transfer will meet you in the hotel lobby when you are ready and escort you away from the imposing summits and valleys of the Dolomites. You will arrive at Marco Polo International Airport with plenty of time to check-in to your flight home.