Euganean Hills Regional Park (Colli Euganei)
Rising improbably from the flat Po Plain 60 kilometres west of Venice, the Colli Euganei are a cluster of ancient volcanic peaks draped in vineyards, olive groves and medieval villages that most visitors to the Veneto never discover. The regional park covers 18,700 hectares and rewards walkers, cyclists and anyone who wants to soak in naturally hot thermal water under open sky.
Walking and Wine in the Hills
The 68-kilometre Grande Traversata dei Colli Euganei trail links the highest peaks — Monte Venda (601 m), Monte Cero and Monte Rua — through chestnut forest and terraced vineyards producing Fior d'Arancio DOCG, a rare and delicious sparkling Moscato made only here. Day hikes of 10–15 km are easily planned from the village of Arquà Petrarca, where the medieval poet Petrarch spent his final years and his house is preserved as a museum.
The village of Cinto Euganeo and the summit of Monte Gemola offer sweeping views over the entire plain to the Alps on clear days. In October, the vineyards turn gold and amber, making this one of the most beautiful autumn walking destinations in northern Italy.
Terme Euganee: Natural Hot Springs
The towns of Abano Terme and Montegrotto Terme sit at the base of the hills above one of Europe's largest thermal basins, where water rises naturally at 87°C from depths of 3,000 metres. The water is cooled to 36–40°C for bathing and is rich in bromine, iodine and sulphur — locals have been soaking here since Roman times and the archaeological museum in Montegrotto displays a fully excavated Roman bath complex.
Day access to thermal pools is available without a hotel stay at several establishments including Hotel Terme Mioni Pezzato and the public Piscine Comunali in Abano. A day pass typically costs €20–35 and includes access to multiple indoor and outdoor pools at different temperatures.
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