Do you usually organise your trips by yourself? Have you ever had difficulty going beyond the common places, the usual destinations? Perhaps at times, you have felt lost while searching among numerous opportunities, trying to find the one closest to your needs, and then settling for the choice of the typical attractions, full of crowds and lines. Those who love to travel – like you – certainly suffer from having to live a mundane experience.
How do you feel when participating in activities designed for many people, without attention to individual needs? When you are just a number and the journey is a series of things to do without the time to savour what you live. Where are your desires? Your timings?
Do you like the idea of discovering Italy and its hidden beauties at the right time and with the right people? Would you like to better understand the history, traditions, and charm of such a precious land? It’s a shame it’s always so difficult to find reliable information to organize a deep journey and be sure to find people who can guide you with professionalism and passion. And in the end, you always ask yourself the same question: will it be a truly authentic experience?
Imagine going back in time to the foundation of Venice, also thanks to the wood from the Dolomites. Imagine discovering the secrets and beauties of wood and its journey to Venice. Imagine getting to know one of the world’s most famous painters, his origins, and his original entrepreneurial skills. And then travelling through the gentle hills of Prosecco to also reach Venice and experience it in a completely different, unique, and fascinating way.
Imagine cycling through the vineyards, meeting a family with an innovative farm where you can taste unique products that tantalize your senses. Imagine a different lagoon, a hidden Venice made not only of art but above all of craftsmanship and gastronomy.
Imagine meeting authentic Venetians, artisans, and winemakers who will open their hearts to you. To know passionate guides who will accompany you step by step to make your journey a moment of growth and evolution. Imagine living the history of a millennia-old country as if you had always been part of its inhabitants. Are you already falling in love?
Experience the captivating tale of how the wood from Cadore laid the foundation for Venice. Follow its adventurous journey, from its birth among the majestic Dolomites, then downstream, facing the rapids of the Piave River, and through the gentle hills of the Prosecco region in Valdobbiadene. Along the way, discover the landscapes, traditions, and picturesque villages.
Arrive at the fertile lagoon, where the wood sinks its roots into the ground to establish the city of Venice. Alongside millions of other logs, it becomes a supporting pillar of a city that rises on its sturdy shoulders, branching out and flourishing like leaves.
Let yourself be fascinated by the history of this resilient hero capable of withstanding the corrosive saltwater, making Venice as enduring as the trees that uphold it. In its engraved rings, like a diary, are the tales of everything it has witnessed.
For this journey, you are free to choose the departure date.
Send us your request, indicating the period in which you want to take your trip, and we will confirm the available accommodation facilities and the personalized quote*.
(*) See our basic proposal and the special promotion we have reserved for you immediately.
Pick up from Venice Airport and transfer to the Dolomites (2 hours).
Optional stop and guided tour at the Zattieri Museum in Codissago – Longarone.
Explore the roots of Venice and understand the deep connection the Serenissima has with its territory. Gain a renewed awareness of Venice’s eternal bond with the land and water surrounding it.
Hotel check-in, dinner, and overnight stay.
Easy hike in Val Visdende to discover the origins of the long journey of wood.
Immerse yourself in an image of serenity and harmony with nature, inspired by cows and horses grazing freely in lush green meadows. The immense expanse of the valley opens up before you like a living painting, with groups of towering ancient trees standing like columns of a natural cathedral. A closer look will reveal signs of a recent environmental disaster—the fury of nature manifested through the Vaia storm, which in a few minutes left an indelible mark on the valley. Here, millennia-old trees were uprooted, and the forest appears to have been scratched by a giant paw.
This is where the timber used to build Venice grows, and some say: “The most beautiful city in the world is kept afloat by the most beautiful mountains in the world.”
Lunch at a mountain hut, a typical rustic stone and wood house with a sunny terrace where you can enjoy a snack of fresh mountain products: fresh milk, long-aged alpine cheeses, or products from pasture-raised animals.
Enjoy some free time with a walk in Padola, a small mountain village, to get a real sense of life in Italian alpine communities, where traditions are preserved, and nature dictates the rhythm of daily life.
Hotel check-in, free dinner, and overnight stay.
Visit the village of Sappada and a workshop for wooden Carnival masks.
Venice isn’t the only place with a strong Carnival tradition. The small mountain village of Sappada boasts a unique celebration known for its elaborate wooden masks and lively parades. During Carnival, the villagers wear traditional costumes, representing various characters from local folklore, and participate in colorful processions through the snowy streets. Enjoy a visit to the village, then after lunch, visit a workshop where a skilled artisan meticulously crafts the intricate wooden masks.
Free lunch.
Hotel check-in, dinner, and overnight stay.
Guided visit to the Eyewear Museum.
After breakfast, visit the Eyewear Museum, a testament to the artisanal craftsmanship of eyewear in this region. Greeted by a striking illuminated pupil, explore extraordinary collections of glasses, cases, and optical instruments, witnessing the evolution of human vision. From unique artifacts and historical frescoes to optical jewels of the modern era, this exhibit sparks curiosity in a field unknown to many, offering a deep connection to history and design.
Lunch at a selected local restaurant.
Experiential workshop at a local dairy.
Become a master cheese refiner at a historic local dairy. Through a guided visit to the Award-Winning Dairy Museum and aging cellars with Emanuela, the owner of the historic dairy and Master Taster of the ONAF, delve into the world of aged cheeses and discover the secrets behind various aging techniques. Enjoy the opportunity to access the Gold Room, the Top Secret chamber of the dairy’s experiments, and the Cheese Vault Reserve. Afterwards, create your own aged caciotta cheese: through sensory analysis of spices and flavors, personalize it to your liking. Finally, enjoy a guided tasting of 4 aged cheeses and 4 wines.
Hotel check-in, free dinner, and overnight stay.
Free morning and lunch.
Guided e-bike tour along the Sile River.
Take some time to rest before dinner, or head with your driver to Treviso and enjoy an e-bike ride along the Sile River, affectionately known as the “river of silence.” The Sile River emerges mysteriously from underground springs, flowing from the depths of the plain with serene constancy. Its pristine waters, originating from underground layers of exceptional purity, contribute to the quality of renowned Italian mineral water brands.
Hotel check-in, dinner, and overnight stay.
Guided tour with Luana. Discover the “Other Venice”.
Your guide, Luana, will take you to explore the hidden corners of the city. Unveil the city, revealing an authentic tapestry where history whispers through altered facades, and the soul of Venice emerges in its untouched corners. As a true Venetian, she is friends with fishermen, boat builders, and gilders. Her passion remains the same as it was forty years ago when she realized that Venice and its territory needed to be preserved, and tourism needed to be slow.
Free lunch.
Guided tour of a workshop specializing in the construction of oars and oarlocks for Venetian gondolas.
Enter Saverio’s workshop, specialized in the handcrafted creation of oars and oarlocks for Venetian gondolas using traditional techniques dating back to the Renaissance. Over the centuries, oarlocks have taken on increasingly complex shapes to improve rowing maneuverability and efficiency. It is a place rich in history and tradition where each oarlock is a work of art, designed to match the gondola’s maneuverability and the gondolier’s skill. Feel the wood take shape under the artisan’s skilled hands, a process that has refined its form over the centuries.
Natural wine tasting in an abandoned monastery.
Take the ferry with Luana to the small island of San Michele. Here lies an abandoned monastery where monks used to host pilgrims who gratefully donated a vine plant. They would then produce natural wine. This tradition is still alive! Walk through the small hidden vineyard surrounded by the arches and walls of the monastery. In a convivial yet somehow ancient atmosphere, enjoy a sensory tasting of natural, ancestral, deep, and flavorful wine in this abandoned monastery.
Accommodation, free dinner, and overnight stay in Venice.
Sail through the Venetian islands.
After breakfast, sail through the Venice Lagoon aboard a traditional Alto Adriatico boat, the Bragozzo, for an excursion in the Venice Lagoon. Explore enchanting islands like Burano, Sant’Erasmo, and Torcello, immersing yourself in local traditions and history.
Burano Lace Tradition.
Burano lace is a very precious ornament, known for centuries, and has always been an art of the island’s ladies. It is truly valuable and rare because it takes a long time to make. Elegant lace was found in all the noble and royal courts of the world: dresses, veils, and gloves for ladies, but also men decorated their clothes with cuffs, handkerchiefs, and scarves, umbrellas, curtains, and entire bridal trousseaus. Meet Ludovica, the youngest lace maker of Burano, and watch her in action. She is 18 years old and was born and raised on the island, where she learned the craft from her great-grandmother Adelina and her grandmother Sandra. It is a fascinating technique to discover, watching the women’s hands resting on the pillows.
Free lunch and free afternoon.
Accommodation, dinner, and overnight stay.
Return transfer to Venice Marco Polo Airport.
The itinerary of the trip may be subject to small variations due to force majeure, weather conditions, or organizational adjustments.
Upon confirmation of the trip – upon reaching the minimum number of participants – any relevant changes and/or updates will be communicated.
A local tour guide will accompany you for the entire duration of the trip.
Access to the “Top Secret” area of the Dairy’s experiments
Lunch at a mountain hut
8 days- 7 Nights
4* HOTELS OR SIMILAR WITH BREAKFAST
PARTICIPANTS FROM 6 TO 12
3 nights in a 4-star hotel in a mountain village with sweet and savory breakfast and access to the SPA
2 nights in a 4-star hotel in the Prosecco hills or similar, with sweet or savory breakfast
2 nights in a 3-star hotel or similar in Venice with sweet and savory breakfast
4 dinners at restaurants serving traditional local dishes
1 lunch at a mountain hut
1 lunch at a restaurant with traditional local dishes
Boat excursion in the Venice Lagoon
Visit to a wooden mask workshop
**Venice Lagoon in a Glass** experiential tasting
Cheese-making experience at a historic dairy with workshop and tasting
Tourist and environmental guides for cultural visits
Naturalistic and cycling guide for the bike tour
Electric bike rental
Alpine, tourist, and environmental guides for each visit indicated in the program
Naturalistic and cycling guide for bike excursions
Guided tour of a high-quality Italian craftsmanship workshop
2 experiential wine and local product tastings
Admission tickets to attractions included in the tour itinerary (Eyewear Museum, Zattieri Museum)
A local tour guide will accompany the group for the entire trip (speaking Italian and English)
Flights to and from Italy
Internal transfers will be quoted at the time of booking
Possible recommended activities during free time
Single room supplement
Wine and alcoholic beverages during lunches and dinners
Other meals not mentioned in the program
Personal expenses (e.g., bar service, concierge, laundry, tips, etc.)
“All-Risks” travel insurance (to be requested as an extra at the time of booking)
Tourist tax – mandatory to be paid on-site
All additional costs due to unforeseen circumstances not attributable to our organization (e.g., flight cancellations, rate increases, strikes or other events and natural disasters, emergency evacuations, etc.)
Anything not specifically included in the “The offer includes” clause
The booking must be made at least 15 days before the trip departure date.
Payment is to be made via bank transfer in the following manner:
20% Down payment upon booking confirmation
80% Final payment due 30 days prior
Kamelion è un progetto
Openmind Travel Srl
Sede legale
Via Esperanto 2 – 11100 Aosta
Sede operativa
Via Bassi 60 – 35131 Padova
Ph. +39.0498256495
welcome@openmindtravel.it
P.IVA 05236340286
PEC:pec@pec.openmindtravel.it
Kamelion by Openmind Travel
partecipa a:
Progetto finanziato con il POC
Regione del Veneto
Kamelion è un progetto
Openmind Travel Srl
Sede legale
Via Esperanto 2 – 11100 Aosta
Sede operativa
Via Bassi 60 – 35131 Padova
Ph. +39.0498256495
welcome@openmindtravel.it
P.IVA 05236340286
PEC:pec@pec.openmindtravel.it
Kamelion by Openmind Travel
partecipa a:
Progetto finanziato con il POC
Regione del Veneto
