Page 265 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Venice & The Veneto

SPECIALIST HOLID A Y S AND OUTDOOR A C TIVITIES  263

Veneto. Well frequented in
summer by the locals, the
Veneto seaside resorts also cater
to the needs of overseas visitors.
Caorle and Jesolo, close to
Venice, are very popular, as
is Rosolina Mare and Albarella,
which is near the Po Delta. The
Venice Lido is also a very pleasant
place to swim, although a fee is
charged to use the beach huts.
For a free public beach, head
along to the Alberoni.
Lastly, for those in search of
a more challenging experience,
there is white-water rafting
and canoeing on the Brenta
Climbing in the spectacular Dolomites River. The experienced crew
at Ivan Team can arrange a
Walking, Climbing in the lagoon, exploring its craft, with all the necessary
and Cycling myriad islands and waterways. equipment, and transport.
During the summer and Rendez-vous Fantasia has a fleet
autumn months, keen walkers anchored at Chioggia, while
and trekkers should head straight Houseboat Holidays Italia are
up to the imposing Dolomites, based at Porto Levante in the Po
where hundreds of kilometres Delta. For those who have never
of clearly marked pathways sailed before, or would like
wind their way through brightly a more relaxed trip, Il Bragozzo
flow ered meadows and spec- arrange day trips on the Venice
tacular rocky landscapes. Easy Lagoon, with an experienced
access combined with a network sailor at the helm.
of high-altitude refuge huts In Venice there are many
make this a very accessible opportunities to take advantage
activity. For walkers who require of the waterways. A good sense
extra assistance, Cortina Guides of balance and plenty of energy
can provide specialist help with are required for rowing in the
their team of experts. Club traditional standing-up style.
Alpino Italiano (see p230) has Clubs such as the Bucintoro
branches in all major towns and on the Zattere, active since
offers qualified guides for such 1882, welcome visitors and Windsurfing near Torbole Lago di
climbs as the via ferrata routes, provide lessons for novices. Garda Veneto
as well as for more general Sailing enthusiasts, on the Language Courses
walking tours. UK-based Colletts other hand, can contact one
Mountain Holidays also offers a of the city’s clubs: those keen One of the best and most
good range of trips. Additionally, on old-style wooden craft with beautiful places to learn Italian
many sporting facilities such as colourful sails should contact is in Venice. Visitors who are keen
Lidoonbike on the Lido offer the Associazione Vela al Terzo, to take part in a course should
cycling opportunities. or for sleek modern yachts there enrol in Italian for Foreigners at
is the prestigious Compagnia the Ca’Foscari School for Inter-
della Vela, which is based national Education attached
Watersports on the island of San Giorgio. to the university. Classes are
A quick glance at a map reveals Further afield Lake Garda in an atmospheric modernized
the many coastal and inland is the place for windsurfers. palazzo and are supplemented
waterways along the Veneto’s Schools such as Surfsegnana, by access to well-stocked
Adriatic coast. It is unsurprising at Torbole in the northern multimedia labs with all manner
that watersports are a speciality reaches of the lake, offer a good of support material. Another
here. It is possible to explore the range of courses and holidays. centrally located school is the
region at your own pace by The lake also guarantees superb Istituto Venezia, which offers
hiring a motorboat from swimming, especially off Sirmione a good range of lessons, including
Cristiano Brussa. (Customers in the south, where the bleached a cookery course in Italian, as well
will need to demonstrate some rocks and crystal clear water are as arranging for concerts, cultural
experience in handling craft.) reminiscent of the Caribbean. initiatives and excursions.
Another truly unique holiday can A string of yellow-sand beaches Accommodation is either
be experienced on a houseboat lines the Adriatic coast of the homestays or self-catering flats.

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