Escape Venice: Your Ultimate Journey Through Hidden Villages in the Venetian Lagoon

There is a Veneto that goes beyond the iconic sights of Venice, a mosaic of placid waters, small villages and hidden gems where time slows down. So what remains to be discovered when the lights go out in St. Mark's Square?

Leaving the beaten track means finding yourself in the silence of the lagoon, sailing up the canals and discovering an unexpected hinterland.

This itinerary to discover the hidden corners of the Venetian lagoon is a call to authenticity: a five-day journey that combines the nobility of Venetian villas with the rural charm of picturesque villages.

From the Venetian streets to Dolo, along the Brenta Riviera, passing through the historic architecture and gardens of Mirano and Noale, all places of merit, hidden gems where culture and landscape merge with the pleasure of good living.

On this journey, we leave behind what we already know and go “beyond Venice”, into the secret heart of Veneto.

Our itinerary in the Venetian lagoon is a slow travel experience, far from the crowds and mass tourism.

We will depart from Venice, focusing on places less frequented by crowds. The following day, we will explore the town of Mirano, with its elegant 18th-century villas.

The centerpiece of this “slow” journey will be Glamping Canonici di San Marco. Far more than just accommodation, it is a retreat that combines relaxation, comfort, and the discreet luxury of the Villa Veneta Pomai Muneratti, occupying its 17th-century Barchesse, and is the ideal starting point for immersing yourself completely in the atmosphere and nature of this corner of Veneto.

In fact, we will dedicate the third day entirely to a restful pause here.

Immersed in the tranquillity of the Venetian countryside, Glamping offers us the opportunity to recharge our batteries in contact with nature, in a comfortable and elegant environment.

The itinerary in the Venetian lagoon continues towards the medieval village of Noale. It ends on the banks of the Brenta, among the canals of Dolo.

This trip is best done by car, but some destinations can also be reached by bicycle from Glamping Canonici di San Marco.

Here are our stops:

- Venice

- Mirano

- Glamping Canonici di San Marco

- Noale

- Dolo

And now, all that remains is to set off and discover these hidden gems of the Venetian lagoon!

Our journey through the Venetian lagoon begins in the city that symbolises Veneto and Italy: Venice. 

Logistically speaking, Venice is the best starting point for a trip through the Venetian lagoon, thanks to its international airport and two railway stations.

A stop in this city is always enjoyable. Still, on this slow journey, we will leave out the most iconic places we already know and focus on the more hidden and authentic sights in the alleys of Cannaregio or Castello, or on the small islands of Torcello and San Lazzaro degli Armeni.

After this brief stop in Venice, we head to the mainland, to Mirano, where Glamping Canonici di San Marco is located, the accommodation we have chosen as our base for the entire trip.

But before reaching our base for a well-deserved rest, we must stop at a typical bacaro and taste the famous cicchetti, accompanied by some good Venetian wine.

In the green surroundings of Mirano, we will begin our exploration of the hidden gems of the Venetian lagoon!

The second day, among the hidden gems of Veneto, is dedicated to Mirano, a picturesque village in the heart of the Venetian mainland, where elegance and art blend with the serenity of the rural landscape.

Mirano is known as “the garden of Venice” and welcomes us with its green, centuries-old parks and the timeless charm of its splendid 18th-century villas.

From our accommodation at Glamping Canonici di San Marco, the historic centre of Mirano can be reached by bicycle in less than 30 minutes, allowing us to leave the car behind and explore the area slowly and sustainably. Bicycles can be hired on site.

Strolling through the historic centre of Mirano, we will admire the historic buildings. One of them is the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel. This 16th-century building houses Giambattista Tiepolo's famous painting “The Miracle of St. Anthony”.

We will pass through the beautiful Piazza delle Erbe, the beating heart of the town centre, often enlivened by events and markets, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of this beautiful village in a bar or restaurant in the historic centre.

Among the most famous residences, we will admire the harmonious architecture of Villa Belvedere and Villa Morosini - XXV Aprile, with their parks open to the public all year round. The parks of these two villas are located close to the historic centre.

They are characterised by landscape features linked to water, including the Muson River, a small lake with caves, and even a small hill with an octagonal tower.

Life in the village follows the seasons and traditions. In spring, the Festa dei Fiori (Flower Festival) is celebrated, an event that transforms the squares into a mosaic of colours and scents.

At the same time, every year homage is paid to the Bòcolo di San Marco, which recalls an ancient Venetian custom: on 25th April, a red rose is given to one's beloved as a symbol of eternal love.

For lovers of slow travel and outdoor activities, Mirano is a strategic location. A dense network of cycle paths connects the centre of the village to the beautiful Venetian villas of the Brenta Riviera, among streams and tree-lined paths.

After a day spent visiting elegant villas, parks and going for walks, the tranquillity of our glamping site awaits us.

We have reached the third day on our itinerary in the Venetian lagoon hinterland and want to take a break, just for us, to relax.

The accommodation we have chosen as our base for our trip is the best for us: a facility suitable for couples and small groups, offering comfort and luxury, and the opportunity to enjoy a variety of activities to recharge your batteries and sustainably discover the territory .

In Mirano, a few kilometres from Venice, Glamping Canonici di San Marco is Italy's first glamping site.

Established in 2009, it is located in the historic Villa Veneta Pomai Muneratti, nestled in the peaceful countryside between the Venice Lagoon and the Brenta River.

The villa's elegant 17th-century barchesse, once used for agricultural activities on the estate, have been carefully restored and now house the common areas and some of the glamping rooms, preserving the charm of Venetian rural architecture.

Glamping offers a model of eco-sustainable tourism, using eco-friendly structures with zero environmental impact, and responds to the need to connect with nature.

Waking up in a tent or a room at Glamping Canonici di San Marco is a gentle awakening, in a warm setting that reveals all its history and passion for hospitality.

The day gets off to a great start with a delicious breakfast served in one of the ancient Barchesse.

Homemade cakes made with local produce, artisan jams, warm bread, yoghurt… and much more!

The barchesse also offers charming spaces for wine or craft beer tastings, and cosy sitting rooms where we can relax in the coolness of the ancient walls.

Another place where we can spend carefree hours is the scenic swimming pool overlooking a 17th-century courtyard. In this corner, you can relax, reading and chatting, surrounded by nature.

It is really worth spending a relaxing day immersed in nature at Glamping Canonici di San Marco!

If you feel like doing something different on your day off, Glamping Canonici di San Marco offers a wide range of experiences to suit all tastes and promote sustainable tourism, allowing you to discover the local area and traditions.

Ceramics workshops and sensory workshops on botanical perfumery, walks in the woods, yoga and mindfulness sessions, and themed bike tours are just some of the activities you can try.

Finally, from Glamping Canonici di San Marco, within an hour's drive, we can reach cities of art such as Padua, Vicenza, and Treviso, as well as some of the most beautiful villages in Veneto, in the provinces of these three cities!

On this day spent at Glamping Canonici di San Marco, we are truly spoilt for choice!

On the fourth day of our itinerary among the hidden gems of Veneto, we head to Noale.  In this village, the Middle Ages still live on among ancient stones and reflections of water.

Noale is located in the Venetian plain and welcomes us with the majesty of its two civic towers and the remains of the Rocca dei Tempesta, an ancient fortress surrounded by a moat.

Today, we can once again choose to reach our fourth destination by bicycle.

From Glamping Canonici San Marco, you can reach Noale with a pleasant ride of just over 30 minutes, along country roads, cycle paths and ordinary roads.

Once in Noale, we stroll under the arcades or along the walls and admire ancient buildings such as the clock tower, the Palazzo della Loggia, the bell tower, the castle and the remains of the Rocca dei Tempesta, the heart of medieval Noale.

The Rocca is surrounded by two gardens, the Giardini Beggio and the Giardini Vecellio.

These green spaces are very large, with benches and a playground. From here, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Rocca, reflected in the waters of the Marzenego River.

This village exudes an atmosphere of times gone by. Still, it is in April that Noale unleashes all its magic with “Noale in fiore” (Noale in bloom), one of the most important flower shows in Italy.

The village's squares and streets are transformed into a large, colourful, and fragrant garden, and hundreds of exhibitors display rare plants and handcrafted decorations.

But the events do not end there: in June, the village goes back in time with the Palio di Noale, a historical re-enactment with races, flag-wavers and medieval dinners, which has been entertaining the citizens of Noale and visitors since 1339.

Finally, after exploring the village, we can stop at a trattoria or restaurant to try local dishes and products, such as red radicchio and asparagus, accompanied by excellent local wines and traditional Venetian desserts.

Here we are at the last stage of our journey to discover the hidden gems of Veneto: Dolo.

Halfway between Padua and Venice, Dolo is located in the heart of the Brenta Riviera. In this place, water and history intertwine, taking us back to the days of the ancient Venetian nobility, who chose to build magnificent villages and monumental villas here for their summer stays.

Once again, from Glamping Canonici San Marco, we can reach Dolo by bicycle in about 35 minutes. The route is just over 10 km long.

Strolling through Dolo, we admire the colourful facades of the houses reflected in the water, the ancient 16th-century mills, once fundamental to the local economy, and the historic Squero Monumentale, an ancient shipyard and port where boats travelling along the Brenta River were repaired and housed.

The Squero was part of the ancient structures of the river port, along with numerous cafés, inns, and shops, and served as the economic and social centre of the town.

Today, the Squero Monumentale in Dolo retains its evocative original architecture and is a precious cultural heritage site.

The historic centre also features prestigious buildings such as the Cathedral of San Rocco with its tall bell tower and noble palaces. In addition, street art lovers will find many works scattered throughout the town, a mix of styles and subjects that add a touch of colour and modernity to the buildings.

The ideal time to visit Dolo is during the famous Flower Festival, held on 1 May. For this occasion, Dolo celebrates spring, and the historic centre is transformed into a colourful, fragrant open-air garden!

Now, before saying goodbye to this beautiful town, we can enjoy a nice aperitif at sunset in the old mill or in a bar in the historic centre!

We have reached the end of our ‘slow itinerary’ to discover the hidden gems of the Venetian lagoon. On this trip, we explored Venice beyond its most iconic places, discovering equally beautiful hidden corners.

Our journey continued on the mainland to discover Mirano, Noale and Dolo, places far from mass tourism, offering experiences that reflect the history and traditions of this area.

Glamping Canonici San Marco, the accommodation we chose as our base for our trip, offered us the opportunity to rest and relax in the natural beauty of this corner of Veneto, in a comfortable and luxurious environment.

This is a journey dedicated to culture, nature, sport and relaxation. Are you ready to go?