Caorle - 5 things to do for a vacation to remember

Caorle is a town in the Metropolitan City of Venice, about 60km from the city center and is one of the most popular tourist destinations for sea lovers. It overlooks the Adriatic Sea for 18 kilometers and is the perfect destination for those who want to combine fun, relaxation and culture. In addition to the many beaches, tourist villages and camping sites, the small nucleus has a city center of great historical interest with narrow streets, fields and squares and there are also monuments and works of art dating back many centuries. The history of Caorle begins in Roman times when, following the barbarian invasions, the city grows and becomes an important center for Goths, Tartars and Huns. In that period it became a bishopric and a place of intense commercial and maritime exchanges. In Republican times, however, it crosses its heyday. The land around the town is considered flourishing and the farmers in the area are dedicated to the cultivation of fruit and especially the olive tree; it also becomes a predominant commercial center for trade in wood, game, salt and fish. After the fall of the Serenissima, Caorle faced a long period of decline due to the French domination of Napoleon Bonaparte first and then Austrian, up to the period of austerity caused by the two world wars. It is after the war that it was born again, it was repopulated and the economic strength of the territory concentrated on quality tourism to encourage the discovery of the cultural, historical and natural beauties that are the great wealth of the lagoon locality. Caorle is the perfect choice to spend a summer by the sea, an ideal destination for families, couples and kids looking for fun. I chose to accompany you on this trip with a small list of 5 things to do in Caorle. A series of useful tips to better enjoy the days spent on the coast.

5 unmissable things!

We begin our itinerary with the symbol of the city, the Cathedral of Caorle. The building with a basilica plan is the oldest in the city and its construction dates back to 1038. The church is dedicated to the Saint Stephen Protomartyr and inside there are a large number of treasures of infinite historical and religious value; it also features architectural elements that recall the Byzantine-Ravenna styles as evidenced by the floral moldings, capitals and column trunks, the altars and the tombstones present both inside and in the garden of the former Bishop's Palace. The recognizability of the Cathedral of Caorle is attributable to the sumptuous bell tower which has become the symbol of the location: detached from the main building, it is characterized by a cylindrical shape surmounted by a conical spire. The tower, 42 meters high, represents a historical find of rare beauty among the medieval buildings that have survived intact today. A more unique than rare piece that makes the Duomo a destination not to be missed for all visitors. From around the middle of the twentieth century, the traditional "fire of the bell tower" has been held every second Sunday in July. The event takes place during the feast of the Madonna of the Angel and dates back to the burning of the simulacrum of the Madonna in 1923, which was later rebuilt The event foresees the lighting of some red firecrackers inside the tower, at the exact moment when the simulacrum of the Virgin enters Piazza del Duomo during the annual procession. In the former bishop's chapel there is today a fascinating liturgical museum, inside there is a collection of important relics and sacred furnishings. The treasure museum was inaugurated in 1975 by the patriarch Albino Luciani and among the most important objects we must mention the skull of Santo Stefano Protomartire, the arm of Santa Margherita of Antioch and wooden fragments of the Holy Cross.

Other sacred monument to visit is the Sanctuary of the Madonna that is right on the Adriatic Sea and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and Saint Michael Archangel. The church is located on a promontory located at the end of the cliff and at the beginning of Levante beach, a position that is nothing short of fascinating with the sea as the background of the building. Before the sanctuary, in the same place there was an old basilica: here, according to tradition, a group of fishermen unearthed the statue of the Virgin Mary was miraculously floating in the sea. For the occasion, all the citizens gathered in the Angel's harbor and a group of children lifted the statue and carried it inside the Cathedral. The next day the statue disappeared and then reappeared later in the small church on the sea and since then the Virgin has been venerated with the name of Madonna dell’Angelo. As well as the Cathedral, the Sanctuary has a bell tower dating from the 13th century and at the time was a lighthouse of the adjacent marina. The tower suffered a partial collapse of the structure following an explosion caused by acetylene gas which was used to power the lighthouse light. In recent years the tower has been powered by electricity and today it has three bronze bells, a real pearl overlooking the sea.

Caorle is divided into two hamlets which are Brussa and San Giorgio di Livenza, and in addition to these, the Municipality includes several places that are worth a visit. Cà Corniani is a place worthy of note, it is only 3 kilometers from the center of Caorle and houses a rural village which represents the first example of remediation by private companies in the Venetian marshes. Before the second half of the 19th century, in fact, the area of ​​Cà Corniani was made up of a swampy expanse left for the inhabitants of Caorle for hunting and fishing. Later the lands were purchased by the Cottoni and Corniani families who started a reclamation process. Among the places of interest there is the Church of San Giovanni Battista and a series of cycle and pedestrian paths with an eno-gastronomic theme that lead visitors to the discovery of natural beauty and local specialties.

San Gaetano is the smallest town of Caorle with only 150 inhabitants: its notoriety dates back to the 50s and 60s of the twentieth century, when the estate was owned by Baron Raimondo Franchetti. Franchetti's son was very close to the famous American writer Ernest Hemingway who was often a guest of the baron. A great fan of hunting and fishing, Hemingway has immortalized the beauty of San Gaetano and the surrounding territories in his novel "Across the river, among the trees". Even today it is possible to retrace the places loved by the writer and immerse yourself in the arms of mother nature. In the village there is the parish church, recently renovated and flanked by a bell tower, here on August 7 of each year the traditional village festival dedicated to the patron San Gaetano da Thiene begins.

Among the areas loved by Hemingway is the immense Caorle Lagoon. A protected area not to be missed, where you can admire a particular flora, many migratory birds and an infinite variety of fish but also wild ducks, herons and cranes. According to a 1994 study, the territory of the lagoon boasts an ancient history, since prehistoric times it was inhabited by the paleovenete populations. During the era of the Venetian Republic, the area was inhabited mostly by hunters and fishermen who were free to practice any activity upon payment of an annual sum to the doge. As beautiful as it is difficult, the swampy terrain and the shallow waters favored the creation of the caorlina, a typical boat characterized by a flat bottom and a large hold, which allowed fishermen to transport basic necessities and sleep on board. Until the 1960s, in fact, fishermen stayed in wooden houses called casoni built with woven marsh reeds. Today the casoni are no longer used and many have been lost, but it is possible to see some of them reaching the "Isola dei Pescatori", through the cycle route that is just a few minutes from the center of Caorle and from which you can admire the whole lagoon.

Fish dominates in caorlotta cooking, as could be otherwise seen because of the many species that populate the waters of the lagoon. But let's not get lost in chat and let's taste some typical specialties of the area. The most appreciated products are the dormouse, the clams and the white canestrello, typical ingredients of some of the most famous recipes of the area. Sardines in saòr, fried sardines and macerated with oil, fried onion, salt and vinegar, the poor dish par excellence that has been handed down for years to the new generations. Another poor dish, fish soup also called broéto caorlotto, a dish that fishermen ate on the boat. The recipe initially involved the use of the ghiozzo go, a particular species of fish that lives mainly in the lagoon areas or where the bottom is very muddy: today many restaurants offer a cuttlefish soup that combines tradition with innovation. Another simple but good dish that we would like to recommend is cuttlefish ink pasta, nothing more than pasta seasoned with black in the bags of cuttlefish, an ingredient that gives a very strong flavor to the preparation and gives an unusual color to the dish . There is no good dish if it is not accompanied by excellent wine: in the hinterland of Caorle it is possible to walk the wine roads and taste the Venetian excellence. Among the excellences we can mention the DOC wines of Lison-Pramaggiore, wines of the Piave, and for those who are willing to go up to the hills of Conegliano Valdobbiadene, they can make up for the palate with excellent Prosecco.

The coast of Caorle stretches for about 18 kilometers and boasts the prestigious Blue Flag award, awarded every year by the FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education) to the most beautiful, well-kept, clean beaches with low environmental impact infrastructures. The main ones of the town are the Levante beach that goes from the historic center to the Falconera area (near the Lagoon), and the Ponente beach that connects the historic center to the mouth of the Livenza river. The particularity of the beaches, in addition to the fine sand and crystal clear water that every year bewitches millions of visitors from all over the world, are the cliffs carved by internationally renowned artists. The project entitled ScoglieraViva has been going on since 1993, every two years, in June, Caorle is invaded by sculptor artists for the event which has now become indispensable. On the coast there is no lack of beaches, bars and services of all kinds. In some parts of the beach there are free beaches where you can bring your own umbrella and enjoy the sea at low costs.

If, on the other hand, you are looking for a regenerating and at the same time full of activities place to spend your holidays in Caorle, Pra’ delle Torri is the ideal holiday village. It is a small seaside village that offers a large camping area, a holiday village and a hotel: a location suitable for families but also for kids looking for fun. The services offered are designed for every type of guest, such as the water park with large pools and water features, extensive green spaces, a large private beach and how not to mention the 18-hole golf course and the perfect football pitches for sports lovers. Freeing the mind from the thoughts of everyday life has never been easier.

Inside the 4-star holiday village it is possible to stay in three types of structures: the bungalows, pretty villas consisting of one or two bedrooms and a kitchenette, mobile homes with a terrace equipped for lunches and dinners open and apartments on one or two floors, modern and equipped. There is no lack of hairdressing services, massage center and bicycle rental and of course free wifi throughout the area.

An ideal solution to stay with the family is the 3-star Family Hotel, a hotel with 68 rooms a few steps from the sea. The aparthotels are 40sqm apartments with breakfast and daily cleaning included, a perfect hybrid between apartment and hotel room. Included in the price of the stay there is access to the beach, the water park, sports facilities and all the animation activities of the village.

The water park is one of the most popular attractions for visitors to Pra ’delle Torri: the large number of pools of different sizes and depths are designed for all needs, such as family, couples or friends on vacation. The pool activities include water aerobics, diving and swimming courses for both adults and children. Don't be afraid, children can swim in complete freedom and safety thanks to the active surveillance service throughout the park.

The holiday center is instead equipped with a splendid Luna Park Fantasy Word open in the evening and equipped with imaginative inflatables and many rides, designed for the enjoyment of children and not only, and a Mini Club with many animation and entertainment activities, for a fun holiday.

For children and adults, the evening comes alive with shows, music and games, thanks to the large and prepared team of animators; but even the night is to be experienced thanks to the presence of structures of all kinds for entertainment for every taste!

Prà delle Torri is a magical place to spend your holidays in complete relaxation equipped with all comforts!

Please Note: The Prà delle Torri Tourist Center complies with all regulations aimed at limiting the spread of Covid-19 dictated by the D.P.C.M. A safe holiday!

To get to Caorle

By car: take the A4 Venice-Trieste motorway from Venice, take the Santo Stino di Livenza exit and continue on the Provincial road n.59 Santo Stino di Livenza to Caorle for about 24 km.

By bus: from Venice Piazzale Roma use the ATVO buses to Mestre, and then change to the buses of the same company that reach Caorle.

By train: from Venice take the train that leads to Portogruaro, or to Santo Stino di Livenza, or to San Donà di piace. Arrived in one of these municipalities, Caorle is only 20 to 30 km away, reachable with local buses in a short time.

From Venice Marco Polo airport: take an ATVO bus that leads to Caorle.

To get to Prà delle Torri

By car: A4 Milan-Venice highway:

from Udine / Trieste: exit at Portogruaro or Santo Stino di Livenza, then continue towards Caorle - Duna Verde.

from Venice: exit at Noventa di Piave, then continue towards Eraclea - Eraclea Mare - Caorle.

From the road our Golf course is clearly visible, the large driveway to the Holiday Center is located in the center of it.

Address: Viale Altanea, 201 - 30021 Caorle (Venice) Italy

GPS: N 45 ° 34 ′ 31.70 ″ / E 12 ° 48 ′ 33.44 ″

By train: The most convenient railway stations to reach us are Portogruaro and San Donà di Piave. Outside both stations there are buses of the line service to Caorle, from Caorle then the shuttles that arrive at the Holiday Center leave.

By plane: The nearest airports are Venice and Treviso, both about 45 km away, connected to the Holiday Center by a scheduled bus service and a private taxi service.

Bus: Outside the holiday center there is a stop for the local public transport service.