Page 266 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Venice & The Veneto

264  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

Winter Sports join a group accompanied by a Birdwatching
A winter holiday in the breath- local Alpine guide to explore the Pink flamingoes flock in
taking Dolomite mountains can more secluded slopes. Snow- spectacular numbers to the
include an extraordinary range shoeing is also undergoing a sprawling Po Delta Park in
of activities. Wrapped up warm revival. Guides and modern the winter months, though
and plastered with high-factor equipment can be found at all the local waterfowl are worth
sun protection cream, visitors in the major resorts. There is superb visiting at any time of year.
need of relaxation can laze on cross-country skiing in the Also, on the western edge of
the sun decks in the ski resorts. Veneto. The vast undulating the Venice Lagoon, located
Those in search of exciting Asiago plateau north of Vicenza on the Romea road that links
downhill skiing can head for has hundreds of kilometres of Mestre with Chioggia, is the
Arabba, which has a superb prepared tracks for both classical wetland reserve Oasi Valle
series of cable cars to whisk and skating techniques. Contact Averto, run by the World Wide
skiers up to the snow fields, the Consorzio Turistico for Fund for Nature. This reserve
including the Marmolada information about the main is accessible by bus.
glacier. Val Zoldana, dominated centres, such as Campolongo
by the magnificent Civetta and and Enego, which all have top-
Pelmo mountains, is another level facilities. Further west is
excellent location. If a chic the Monti Lessini above Verona,
ambience is important, you where pistes fan out from
must stay at Cortina d’Ampezzo, Bosco Chiesanuova; the best
which hosted the Winter source of information is the
Olympics in 1956 and now boasts Lessinia Turistsport.
excellent modern ski facilities
and lifts, including the Tofana
cable car. All the resorts are Spa Holidays
managed by Dolomiti Superski, As the ancient Romans
which includes 12 ski areas and discovered to their delight,
an amazing 1,200 km (750 miles) naturally occurring spas are
of pistes all covered by a single dotted across the Veneto, and
pass. Slopes for intrepid snow- visitors can pamper body and
boarders are also included. mind with a soak in a thermal
Toddlers to adults, beginners pool or with a relaxing massage.
to more advanced skiers, and Abano-Montegrotto Terme in
anyone in between can attend the Euganean Hills has
the ski school run by the numerous hotels with steaming
qualified ski instructors of the outdoor and indoor pools,
Scuola Sci, which is found at all catering to both long-term and Horse riding at Salten Jenesien
the main centres. day visitors. The Consorzio
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Alleghe Terme Euganee can help Horse Riding,
Golf and Tennis
and Val Zoldana also have organize your holiday.
indoor ice rinks, which make a Further afield, on the southern The rolling Euganean Hills near
refreshing change to the high shore of Lake Garda, is the state- Padua together with the
energy of the slopes. of-the-art spa facilities at Terme foothills of the Dolomites have
Experienced skiers wishing to di Sirmione, which continue a plenty of quiet roads and lanes
get away from the pistes can tradition going back to the 1500s. suitable for horse riding. Several
agriturismo establishments such
as Il Faè near Conegliano keep
stables and all the facilities
needed for riding holidays.
Along the Lido, Tennis Club
Venezia offers membership
and tournaments. Many of the
other notable golfing facilities
in the Veneto are to be found
in the hinterland. These include
a course in the lovely garden
premises of Golf Club Villa
Condulmer at Mogliano.
However, for a game with
a difference, visitors can play
a few rounds at the Circolo
Golf Venezia at Alberoni, also
Cable car and downhill slopes in the Dolomites situated on the Venice Lido.

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