Ass the name implies, the purpose of this list is to suggest a path between Nature and History in the North East of Italy, discovering particular and not overcrowded places.
I am probably late for participating to the List Challenge started by @KarenVChin and @Kwiksatik , but this list is something I wanted to do in any case, to show how many ways we have to Contribute in Google Maps.
With this list I am creating a tour on the Prealpi (the south part of the Alps) of the North East of Italy. You can visit Natural, Historical and Artistic places of my area. I am connecting together these places on an ideal story, giving you four different alternatives for a “virtual” exploration of the area.
1) A list in Google Maps. A list in Google Maps is always my first option, because in this way I can help the users who follow my profile in Google Maps to receive update about my contributions, including my lists. When you create a list, make sure to “complete your list”. In this way your list may be eligible to be featured in Google Maps. As I love Nature, History and Arts my List are usually reflecting who I am. I add on the lists only places where I have been, because what I want to share is my personal knowledge of an area.
2) A My Maps of the area. I love to use Google My Maps, because I can add a lot of personal contents in there, including my own photos. You can see the My Maps here below. You can also open the Map on a separate window, or in Google Maps App on your mobile, just clicking here
In there you can use the Legend on the Left side to explore the places one by one, and to watch the photos. The text is the same that you can find on my list, but in addition here you can watch the photos
3) A Google Earth Project: The basic concept is the same of My Maps (a list of places) but with Google Earth you can literally Fly from a place to another, as @Raleigh know very well. I love the way to build stories with Google Earth, so if you are interested I can share something more with you. With Earth you will have the photo on preview, but clicking over them you can have them at full screen.
4) A post in Connect, of course. Why to add also a post? For a simple reason: I already wrote here about most of the places mentioned in my list. Being Connect Users, you deserve the right to have more detailed information than a simple map User ?
Here we are. The idea of this list is to offer a refreshing tour in the mountains (or near the mountains) that can also be done in summer, exploring very different territories, linked together by a common denominator: Nature. Nature connected with History or Culture (sometimes with both).
- We start our tour from Bordano, a small town on the alps of the east of Italy. Known as “The village of butterflies” Bordano is famous for the beautiful “butterfly house” which always attracts many tourists. What many don’t know is that the town itself is completely decorated, with subjects dedicated to Butterflies. Crossing the village is like crossing an art gallery in the street, surrounded by frescoes that cover almost all the faces of the houses. You can read more about Bordano on: Street-art on the Village of the Butterflies
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After (or before) the visit of the town, you cannot miss the visit of the amazing House of Bordano Butterfly
Amazing is a reductive term. Three different greenhouses with different settings, which allow you to completely immerse yourself in tropical environments (be careful, it’s very hot inside).
Do not miss the introductory video, and all the informative / educational part before entering the greenhouses. Fundamental to understand what you visit. Entirely accessible to disabled people, although unfortunately there are no signs to the disabled bathroom, and I found it only with difficulty. You may find interesting this post written by @AntonellaGr : The Butterfly Effect
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On a couple of hours drive you can reach the Vajont Dam . The visit to the dam, knowing the huge tragedy that happened in this place, must absolutely be done. On Saturdays and Sundays there are guided tours, which allow you to cross the dam, thus realizing the size of both the building and the huge landslide. Cost of the visit 10 euros, lasting about an hour. I wrote a really painful post about the dam: Vajont Dam - An Italian Story . It is now time for a rest, here or near the next place, in one of the B&B of the area
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The Giardino Botanico Alpino (Alpine Botanical Garden) is the perfect place, on the Cansiglio plateau, for a relaxing morning. I was here in August 2019, and if it were open I would go back even now, for the flora and fauna that can be admired, but above all for the great respect for Nature and for the incomparable guided tour, which led us to discover places that would otherwise have gone unnoticed. Good and competent. The reconstruction of alpine environments that you could only find at much higher altitudes is absolutely perfect.
A place to learn about and respect the environment. I haven’t a post to share about this garden (not yet) -
Abbey of Saint Eustace . Only a short drive to cross the Piave River and reach the Abbey. The beautiful Abbey was destroyed during the battle of the Solstice on 15-20 June 1918, and has recently reopened.Easy to reach through a path that winds through vineyards and olive trees, with a walk of about 10/15 minutes. It was worth climbing even before the restoration, now it is a place not to be missed. I also recommend a guided tour, to discover the history of this place that for centuries has dominated, and not metaphorically, the Piave valley. The visit lasts about an hour, and includes access to the small museum, which is slowly being enriched with historical finds. I didn’t wrote a post about the Abbey, but it has been mentioned in exploring the territory of 1st World War - The battle of the solstice
- Oasi Fontane Bianche. Crossing the river again, to drive west in the middle of the Prosecco hills (but this is another story) to reach the oasis, that was one of the theater of the WW1. We went there almost by accident, not quite sure what to expect. The surprise was great, in finding an oasis so large and so well organized, with many paths all well indicated. Unfortunately, due to a recent flood, the access bridge to the oasis has been temporarily removed, and will have to be replaced. Most of the paths are accessible by wheelchair, with wooden walkways in rough spots. EDIT: so finally, on October 16th, here is the post in Connect: Accessible Life - Autumn @ Fontane Bianche
- Passo San Boldo With another short drive you will reach Passo San Boldo. San Boldo is a mountain pass, therefore why it is a place to visit? For the story, first of all: San Boldo pass was crucial in the First World War. If you want to know more of the place, you can read: Exploring the territory of 1st World War - Passo San Boldo
Because to reach it you follow the “road of 100 days”, an incredible sequence of hairpin bends built by the Austro-Hungarian army before the end of the First World War.
For the idyllic views of the plateau.
For the food you can taste
For relaxing walks in the woods
Time to relax again, in one of the small hotel on the plateau, ready to move in the morning to reach the last step of our tour:
- Arte Sella . A unique place of its kind, an art exhibition to be experienced, through a splendid walk in the woods. The guide says that it can be done in an hour and a half, but I recommend considering at least two hours, to take advantage of the relaxation of the place. Take breaks, and get into plant sculptures (you can, apart from the cathedral).
Update: New works have recently been added, and they are more beautiful than the other. Looking for the Invisible Woman, and seeing her appear before you is priceless. Probably Arte sella will not be a surprise for you but, if you don’t know the story of the invisible woman, you have to read: “The Invisible Woman” of Artesella
The tour is ended. I hope you enjoyed it.
I will be happy to read your post about your list (or more than one). If you are curious about the use of Google Earth to build a story, just let me know. I will be happy to give you some tip
been busy lately.
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