Imagine a place where soft lines alternate with sharp ‘peaks’ and rocks of volcanic origin dating back some 35 million years. This landscape is located in Veneto, a few kilometres from Padua, and is a hilly area of over 18 thousand hectares protected since 1989 by the establishment of the Euganean Hills Regional Park.
Consider that its beauty has been celebrated by great poets and writers such as Petrarch, Ugo Foscolo, Gabriele d’Annunzio, Dino Buzzati and Antonio Fogazzaro.
The Mediterranean scrub on the south-facing slopes is contrasted with chestnut and oak woods, and then meadows where rare species of orchids of seductive shapes and colours can be found. On the hillsides, on the other hand, olive groves and terraces of vines form striking geometric figures.
And it is nature itself that offers great excitement thanks to hundreds of paths immersed in greenery to be travelled on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. But there is also room for other outdoor sports such as the natural rock gym at Rocca Pendice, and three greens for golf lovers.
If relaxation is the goal, the Park offers the Terme Euganee area, renowned throughout the world for the uniqueness of its mud baths and treatments that can be found in the establishments of Abano, Battaglia, Galzignano and Teolo (EMAS certified) and Montegrotto.
The Park territory includes 15 municipalities with a rich historical, artistic and cultural heritage. For example, Arquà Petrarca, listed among the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy; the splendid Venetian villas that can be seen throughout the Park territory; Praglia Abbey and the Hermitage of Monte Rua.
Source: www.veneto.eu
