arriving in the province of belluno, the first thing one notices is its peace and calm, a rare commodity in this day and age. a walk in the old city center reveals a city perfectly adapted to the human dimension, with no frenetic rhythms. it is a city that has maintained its mountain lifestyle. this is most likely attributed to the fact that it is surrounded and protected by the alpine foothills and by the imposing dolomitic faces of monte schiara, with the famous gusela del vescovà, a monolithic steeple 131 feet high, the emblem of belluno.
this quasi surreal environment is composed of architecture from different epochs, such as porta rugo, a typical medieval structure; the old piazza del mercato, site of the ancient roman military castrum; and piazza duomo, hosting palazzo dei rettori, the cathedral of belluno and palazzo dei giuristi, location of the civic museum that preserves many interesting paintings.
in the central area of the province is the belluno dolomites national park, characterized by wild and captivating nature: rocky peaks, enchanting valleys and pure waterways.
then, feltre is a fortified town perched on a hill in the val belluna, with a remarkable history to which edifices the likes of the torre del castello di alboino, dominating the valley, attest.
belluno hosts many a unique and beautiful valley.? in the north lies the queen of the dolomites, cortina d?ampezzo, in the valley of the same name. it is italy's most famous ski town, and is also famous for its glamorous and lively nightlife. close to this area, the valle del boite boasts excellent resorts such as cibiana and san vito di cadore, all well-equipped to receive tourists.
the cadore-auronzo-misurina area, with the beautiful lakes of santa caterina and misurina (below the imposing three peaks of lavaredo), poses an enticing challenge for mountaineering enthusiasts. these diverse landscapes hold an element in common: their incomparable natural beauty.
the most northern part is occupied by the mountain communities of comelico-sappada, a pretty, welcoming zone highly-adapted to those in search of a relaxing, tranquil vacation within the captivating natural landscapes of valgrande, val sesis, and val visdende (the ?valley that is well worth a visit?).
central to the provicne and bordering trentino-alto adige is another remarkable ski district, with the impressive marmolada, monte civetta (with its rather challenging slopes), and the conca agordina,all surrounded by majestic peaks. these giant masterpieces of nature belong to the dolomiti superski, a snow or ski park situated between veneto and trentino; it is 746 mi of ski slopes in one of the most charming settings of the dolomites. between belluno and the veneto plains is the unique nevegal alp. a perfect destination in any season, the summertime endows it with lush plantlife and numerous opportunities for fun. meanwhile, winter makes it a skiers' paradise: think 18.6 mi of ski slopes and 6.2 mi of cross-country terrain.
