Across the River and Into the Trees

Sailing along the Rotta dei Dogi , the eye is immediately captured by the enchanting view of Caorle, a jewel set between sea and sky. Approaching from the sea, the first thing that catches the eye is the Sanctuary of the Madonna dell'Angelo, which stands on a promontory overlooking the Adriatic and has become a place of pilgrimage for many believers from all over the world. The colourful fishermen's houses overlooking the coast form a picturesque mosaic that reflects the liveliness and history of this town, from where we set off to discover this splendid area. The entrance to the port of Caorle, at the mouth of the river Livenza, is protected by two breakwaters that ensure accessibility in all weathers, while there are two equipped docks that have already been awarded the FEE Blue Flag for the high standards of the port facilities. A visit to Caorle is not complete without a trip to the historic centre, with a visit to the ancient 11th century Cathedral, symbol of the town, and the adjoining Museum, which houses paintings, relics and other sacred art objects handed down by the bishops of Caorle during the thousand years that the town was the seat of the bishops. Following the pleasant cycle path along the sea, you can reach Falconera, where you can admire the characteristic fishermen's houses and the Caorle lagoon. These enchanting places also inspired the writer Hemingway, who set his novel "Across the River and Among the Trees" there. The ferry service with bicycle transport  allows you to cross the Saetta canal and continue towards San Gaetano and the village of Marango. Alternatively, you can cycle towards the Livenza river and cross it on a characteristic pontoon bridge. After a few kilometres, it is worth stopping at Ca' Corniani, a rural village centred around a large agricultural company that has been active since the end of the 18th century. From San Giorgio di Livenza, turn east towards Marango, where the Loncon and Lemene rivers flow into the lagoon in the Lame Forest. Here the two paths meet again. The itinerary continues through Concordia Sagittaria, important Roman centre Iulia Concordia, which preserves a large archaeological area and a splendid cathedral with baptistery, to reach Portogruaro, a city of art and wine. A visit to the National Museum of Concordia and a stop at a tavern in the town centre to taste Lison Pramaggiore DOC wines are not to be missed.

From Portogruaro, the journey begins again along the cycle path that follows the suggestive course of the River Lemene as far as Concordia, and then along protected cycle paths as far as the hamlet of Sindacale. The landscape changes radically as you enter a vast area of land that was reclaimed in the 20th century, where you can admire impressive water pumps and complex farms. The ordinary road, with little traffic, crosses the countryside and runs along the edge of the Caorle lagoon, following the signs for Bibione, which we reach after about an hour of cycling. Once at the gates of this famous seaside resort, take the cycle path that climbs up the right bank of the Tagliamento river and leads to its fascinating mouth, dominated by the beautiful lighthouse. Continue along the coast for over ten kilometres, first through a suggestive pinewood and then close to the charming bathing establishments. At the end of this splendid cycle route we reach Bibione Pineda, where the Bike + Boat service awaits us, offering a direct link to the oasis of Valle Vecchia and the historic centre of Caorle, from where we started. Enjoy a beautiful sunny day and spend a few hours relaxing in uncontaminated nature, heading towards the naturalistic oasis of Valle Vecchia, a large habitat rich in flora and fauna that will allow you to conclude this itinerary, leaving you with unforgettable memories of this unique land.