Valle San Leonardo

For centuries, birds have undertaken remarkable migrations, traveling thousands of kilometers across continents to winter and breed. Many water-dependent species find their natural habitat in the valleys of the Po Delta: a carefully maintained sanctuary where they can enjoy peace and abundant fresh water and food.

 Accompanied by an environmental nature guide, visitors can explore Valle San Leonardo on foot or by bicycle along an educational trail equipped with observation points in the valley’s most scenic spots.

From February to May, various bird species can be spotted as they pause here before continuing their long journey. Among them are widgeons, teals, pintails, and shovelers, along with other species of waterfowl. Additionally, visitors may encounter flamingos, waders, black-winged stilts, avocets, and various species of herons.

 Upon returning to the lodge or along the trail, in a designated area, guests will be offered a snack, coffee, or aperitif, depending on the time, with local products and those from the Valley.

• PERIOD: FROM FEBRUARY 1ST TO JULY 15TH
• ESTIMATE DURATION: 3 HOURS
• For inquiries: info@vallesanleonardo.it

Since the days of the Republic of Venice, these places have been regarded as fantastic destinations for wild duck hunting and for their unspoiled environment. Now, using the same methods and the “hunting barrels”,  it is possible to relive those experiences by practicing unique and specialized photographic birdwatching.

The program includes departing from the “cavane” of Valle San Leonardo. , where participants will set off in rowing boats paddled “alla vallesana” or powered boats, depending on the season and weather conditions, to reach the designated areas for photographic hunting, employing the same methods as in the past.

From February to mid-March, participants will embark before dawn, accompanied by boatmen and naturalist guides, to observe the incredible flights of birds, particularly widgeons, which stop in the valley during their migration to Africa. This is known as the “masòn degli osei” (a large flock in pre-migratory phase), a unique and thrilling spectacle.

From mid-March to the end of June, this experience can also be enjoyed during the day or at sunset, allowing participants to admire the new species that have arrived in the valley, especially mallards, flamingos, waders, black-winged stilts, avocets and sea snipes. It will also be possible to see the first nests of birds that have reproduced in the valley.

Upon returning to the lodge or along the trail, in a designated area, guests will be offered a snack, coffee, or aperitif, depending on the time, featuring local products and those from the Valley.

• PERIOD: FROM FEBRUARY 1ST TO JULY 15TH
• ESTIMATE DURATION: 4 HOURS
• PEOPLE: 6/8
• It is suggested to leave at dawn
• For inquiries: info@vallesanleonardo.it

The fishing valleys in the Po Delta are the best example of interaction between man and nature, where the former cares for the latter, shaping, molding, building, and maintaining it.

Valle San Leonardo, managed with the wisdom and passion of those who have grown up in this environment, now offers its vintage Land Rovers, “Tarzan” and “Jane”, to explore this extraordinary treasure trove of biodiversity with over 20 km of hidden paths.

Starting from the casone and following the trails that outline the Valley, visitors can reach the most significant environments: the Valle lakes, fish ponds, colaùri, castraùre fields, and shrimp farms. This exclusive experience offers a fascinating tour through an educational trail equipped with “specole”, observation points that will allow you to feel the essence of the area and learn about the history and traditions of this centuries-old environment, enriched by encounters with numerous bird species that, depending on the seasons, frequent this habitat.

Upon returning to the lodge or along the trail, in a designated area, guests will be offered a snack, coffee, or aperitif, depending on the time, featuring local products and those from the Valley.

• PERIOD: FROM FEBRUARY 1^ST TO JULY 15TH
• ESTIMATE DURATION: 4 HOURS
• PEOPLE: 6/8 
• For inquiries: info@vallesanleonardo.it

The Po Delta has inspired renowned writers and screenwriters, including Hemingway, who was enamored with Italy and Veneto. He loved spending his days in San Gaetano, a small village in the Caorle lagoon, to which he dedicated some of the most beautiful pages of his book “Across the River and Into the Trees,” published in 1950.

In this experience, equipped with telephoto lenses, you’ll be able to spend an entire day in the Valley, letting yourself be inspired and captivated by the places, just as writers and screenwriters once were. The adventure begins before dawn, departing from the “cavane” of Valle San Leonardo in rowing or motor boats, accompanied by boatmen and naturalist guides, heading towards the barrels located within the valley lakes to take position before sunrise.

From February to mid-March, at the first light of dawn, one can observe ducks, widgeons, pintails, and other species of waterfowl that frequent these areas during the pre-migratory phase. After being retrieved by the boatmen, the tour will continue back to the starting point, where a lunch will be offered  with local products and those from the Valley.

Leaving the boats behind, participants will board the vintage Land Rovers “Tarzan” and “Jane” to complete the visit of the estate and gain an overview of the valley’s ecosystem.

• PERIOD: FROM FEBRUARY 1st TO JULY 15th
• APPROXIMATE DURATION: 8 HOURS INCLUDING LUNCH
• PEOPLE: 6/8
• It is suggested to leave at dawn
• For inquiries: info@vallesanleonardo.it