To most people, Venice is the city of canals, gondolas, beautiful bridges and the symbolic St Mark’s Square – to name only a few of its many highlights. But there are so many reasons to reimagine the beauty of this incredible destination.
Situated in the centre of the Venetian Lagoon in the Adriatic Sea and part of a collective of 118 small islands, the Venice Lagoon harbours a wealth of natural sights and experiences that’ll take you beyond its well-known historic centre and on a journey of discovery.
Dune Degli Alberoni Oasis
Not far from the ancient village of Malamocco on Lido di Venezia, an 11-kilometre-long barrier island, you’ll find a 160-hectare natural oasis protected by the WWF which is made up of an expansive pine forest and unique dune environment. The area is known to be one of the most well-preserved dune systems on the Upper Adriatic Coastline with dunes up to 10 metres high and a 30-hectare pine forest criss-crossed with walking paths where you’ll encounter rare species of flora and fauna.
The stretch of sea off the Malamocco coast is also home to the ‘reef of the Upper Adriatic’ known as the Tegnue. The Tegnue is an unusual underwater rocky habitat characterised by its ravines, caves and tunnels filled with diverse marine life for divers to explore.
Cà Roman Nature Reserve
At the southern end of Pellestrina Island, a thin stretch of land between the Adriatic Sea and the Venetian Lagoon, you’ll find one of the most unspoilt beach environments Italy has to offer – so tranquil and untouched by humans that it’s an important stop of the migratory route for many bird species. Flanked by dunes and forest, this sandy coastal habitat is too delicate for activities like cycling, but visitors can explore the area on foot to catch a glimpse of some of the many rare bird species such as the Eurasian Oystercatcher and the Kentish Plover and the Long-eared Owl and the rare Nightjar. 
1000-year-old fishing traditions
If you’re visiting the Venice region, don’t miss the unique opportunity to learn more about this expansive lagoon through the experiences of local fishermen who have been exploring the waters for centuries. By taking a fishing excursion, you’ll become immersed in the life of a local fisherman who will share their stories of fishing in the lagoon while you observe their time-honoured skills.
There are generally two different types of fishing excursion you can choose from including the “sea itinerary” where you’ll learn about the tegnue (reefs) along the coastline and a “lagoon itinerary” where whitebait and crabs are caught and clams are farmed. To appreciate the fine tastes of the local catch, why not stay on the island of Burano which is home to the lagoon’s biggest community of local fishermen, an open-air museum and local seafood restaurants.
Santa Cristina Island
Far from the bustling piazzas and uniform canals of Venice city, the eco-friendly private island retreat of Santa Cristina in the Venetian lagoon boasts fishing lakes, fruit orchards, vineyards and a menagerie of wild animals including peacocks, pheasants and pink flamingos. A majestic historic Italian villa is situated in the centre of it all – surrounded by manicured gardens where you’ll feel the charm of past centuries. During a stay on Santa Cristina Island, you spend your time walking among the olive groves and cypress trees or take the opportunity to explore the wider lagoon area by boat on a private excursion.
Sant’Erasmo
Sant Erasmo is the second largest island in the Venetian Lagoon located near Murano, Burano and Punta Sabbioni. Stretching 4 kilometres in length, the island is an ideal location for a relaxing break among nature with its coastal walking and cycling trails, vegetable gardens and vineyards. This sparsely inhabited island, mostly dedicated to agriculture owing to its fertile and flat terrain, is affectionately known as the ‘the vegetable garden of Venice’.
Popular activities for visitors to the island include walking and biking (including organised tours), visiting the Bacan beach for a swim and sunbathing during summer, and even camping overnight at Camping Ca’Savio on the nearby Cavallino-Treporti coast. And if you’re lucky enough to be visiting in May, you might catch the Sant’Erasmo Purple Artichoke Festival which celebrates the island’s precious artichoke production. The island also hosts the Festa del Mosto in October which is dedicated to Torbelino – a slightly sparkling and sweet wine made from the island’s white grapes.
