Walking the Prosecco Hills – Day 7

Visiting Charming Treviso and a Walk Through the Natural Park of the River Sile:

Treviso, City of Water

Today is Day 7 and the final day of our Walking the Prosecco Hills tour. This morning we transfer to the charming provincial capital province of Treviso, where a local guide shows us around town.

Visiting Treviso

We’ve been told that Treviso is a hidden gem, often overlooked and perhaps overshadowed by neighbouring Venice. We are actually returning to Treviso for a week after our Prosecco Hills tour, to see what this city is really like.

We enter via the San Thomas Gate, one of the oldest city wall gates, and walk to the main square to meet the local guide. She’s a bubbly character who talks as fast as she walks.

Porta San Thomas, the oldest city gate

City of Art and Water

Treviso markets itself as the City of Art and Water. She points out the many artworks on numerous building facades. Unlike Venice, Treviso is surrounded by fresh water canals and therefore the outdoor paintings have withstood the test of time.

Treviso – City of Art

Everywhere we turn, there are canals, waterways and watermills. It’s no wonder that Treviso sees itself as a less expensive alternative to Venice. They are a picturesque sight and already I know that we will like this city when we return.

Treviso, City of Canals

Apparently Tiramisu was created in Treviso and she tells the risqué legend (it involved brothels) of how this dessert came to be. She points out the best place for tiramisu and gelato, much to the delight of the many tiramisu fans in the group.

Tony confirms that the Tiramisu is good

Treviso was rebuilt and restored after being (erroneously) bombed during the second world war. Apparently Tarvisio, an important station on a vital railway line, was the actual target.

The town centre is a maze of streets lined with arcaded walkways. Some of the attractions include its fish market and the many bridges.

Treviso fish market

Ponte dell’Universita – wooden bridge over the River Sile

After a walking tour of the town centre we enjoy free time to wander at our own pace and have lunch. We choose to have a sandwich on the main square to enjoy some people watching.

The Walk

In the afternoon, we leave the walls of Treviso behind and go on a relaxing walk through the Natural Park of the River Sile. After days of climbing up hills, it’s a nice change to be on flat ground.

Route of our River Sile Walk

We follow the water flow of the Sile, the longest river of resurgent waters in Europe.

This tranquil route runs through a nature reserve where we see some of the local flora and fauna.

Lots of little turtles

There are many fish in the river, but what surprises us is seeing turtles here. We also see our first coypu. They eat these in South America, apparently, but we’re not clear how they got here!

Our first encounter with a Coypu

After 6 km or so our walk ends in the village of Casier where we have time for a drink. Tony is surprised to find a German draft beer, Hofbrauhaus, here and one that is served properly. Last time he drank it was in the Schweller of the Hofbrauhaus itself in Munich!

Enjoying German beer in Casier

We are picked up for a return ride to the hotel in the evening.

In the evening, we tuck into a farewell dinner in one of the best local restaurants, enjoying a panorama of the Prosecco Hills as we eat. There could be worse places to end our walking holiday!

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