Venice Veneto and Northeast Italy

Food Wine Cultural and Eco Tours

Monselice is a medieval town in the Veneto Region, located on the plain at the edge of the Euganean hills. A great place for a day trip, where you’ll be strolling around its cobbled lanes, enjoying the view of its medieval center and castle and taking a walk up to the scenic Colle della Rocca. The castle is made up of different buildings dating back to different eras. 

The Euganean Hills A bike itinerary that follows a circular route around the perimeter of the Park of the Euganean Hills. The path is paved in most sections and it’s easy. We suggest you to stop in the cosy Arquà Petrarca, the small pebbled village of the poet Petrarca, considered to be one of the most beautiful medieval villages in Italy.

Padua is an ancient and distinguished art city. Its history is documented by monuments and artworks of unquestioned value. The XIV Century Scrovegni Chapel with its world famous Giotto frescoes, the Basilica of Sant’Antonio and Prato della Valle, one of the biggest squares of all Europe with its 88.620 square meters. Giotto’s are not the only frescoes in town, art lovers can admire much more in the churches and art galleries.

Haderburg Castle and its ancient walls. The castle is not very big and is perched on a rock. It had the burden of hosting famous people throughout its history: Melanchthon, one of the closest aides of Martin Luther in 1551 and the painter Albrecht Dürer. Not to be missed by lovers of archeology and medieval military architecture. 

Venice This incomparable city is full of secret campos, handsome Gothic palazzos and neighborhood wine bars. San Marco square with its bell tower and its gothic majestic Doge’s Palace, the Grand Canal surrounded by venetian style palaces, the numerous art galleries and boutiques. Venice is simply stunning and completely unique. 

Murano is a cluster of islands connected by bridges, world-renowned for its glass products. Its glass making industry began in 1291 when the city of Venice moved the glass furnaces and the glass artisans here to avoid the risk of fire to city buildings and also because of the smoke. Burano is a fishing village famous for its lace. In the 16th century, Burano’s lace was the most sought after in Europe. Explore this island with its brightly colored houses, the main feature of the island - certainly the most picturesque of the lagoon islands.

Prosecco Wine Hills Visit a wine cellar for a wine tasting and lunch overlooking the hills, ancient Follina Abbey and Castelbrando Castle. Dry, lemony, and bubbling, is Italy’s answer to refreshing, sparkling wine. Created from predominately Prosecco grapes in the northern Veneto region of Italy in the foothills of the Alps, Prosecco is light, affordable, and fun. Traditionally, Prosecco was made as a soft, somewhat sweet wine with just a little fizz, but today’s Proseccos are dry and very bubbly. Sometimes combined with a small amount of Pinot Blanc or Pinot Grigio grapes, Prosecco is made using the Charmat. Straw-colored Prosecco, with its overtones of citrus, melon, lemon, almonds, and honey, is a perfect summer wine.

Verona Discover the fascinating city of Romeo & Juliet. The historical and cultural heritage of Verona enchanted painters, poets, travelers and famous characters of all ages. Strolling around the small streets you will be notice an unexpected harmony of panoramic views of different historical ages: traces of the sumptuous Roman origins, the medieval Scaliger knight print, the magnificent Renaissance palaces and the imposing fortification that protects the city.

Bolzano and the Dolomites The ex Austro-Hungarian city of Tyrol is surrounded by vineyards, apple orchards, castles and mountains, Bolzano is one of the most charming cities in Italy. Everyone seems to live peacefully, no hurry or chaos. The city is crossed by the Adige river and by green beautiful gardens adorned with colored flowers. A drive along the South Tyrolean Wine Road with stops for exclusive wine tastings!

 

The Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa

family vacations museums historic sites and riverfront festivals

The Quad Cities area consists of Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa, and Moline, East Moline and Rock Island in Illinois. The region has the excitement of a big city and the hospitality of a small town with award-winning museums and cultural centers, internationally-recognized festivals, beautiful riverfronts and a vibrant nightlife.
Davenport has beautiful riverfront vistas and an active downtown area with the Figge Art and Putnam History Museums and great shopping at the North Park Mall.
Bettendorf the Library and adjacent Family Museum provide exciting programs and storytelling. The numerous outdoor activities include the Splash Landing water park, Wallace's Garden Center and Duck Creek Recreational Trail.
Rock Island‘s downtown is known for its festivals and nightlife with Cajun food and zydeco music; Jamaican food and reggae music; and a fall Irish folk festival. Family activities include the country's largest go-kart street race. Experience a downtown architectural tour and the Broadway Historic District.
 

Moline is one of the agricultural capitals of the world, home of John Deere and steeped in history. The modern downtown area features great riverfront views and evening entertainment with musicals performed by local actors.
East Moline is home to many great events and festivities. Empire Park is right on the Mississippi River, walk along the riverfront trails of The Quarter or visit to the John Deere Harvester Works, one of the world's largest combine factories.

                                                                  Quad City Museums
 

The Figge Art Museum in downtown Davenport is community-centered facility and a gathering place for residents and visitors alike to experience and enjoy the visual arts. Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, this 100,000 square foot museum was designed by British architect David Chipperfield, and includes nine permanent collection galleries, traveling exhibition galleries, art studios for children and adults, aFamily Gallery and Activity Center. The Figge has a collection of approximately 3,000 works that reflect artistic styles and developments from the Renaissance to contemporary art, with particular strengths in American Regionalist, Mexican Colonial and Haitian Art.

The Iowa 80 Trucking Museum was a dream of Iowa 80 Truckstop founder, Bill Moon who had a passion for collecting antique trucks and other trucking memorabilia. Every truck has a story to tell and can provide a unique glimpse back in time. Many rare and one-of-a-kind trucks are on display.

Breweries Wineries and Distilleries 

Mississippi River Distilling vodka, gin and bourbon whiskey handmade from local corn and wheat grown within 25 miles in small handmade batches.

Wide River Winery atop the Mississippi bluff north of Clinton with some of the finest wines in the Midwest; 11 types of wine, all with catchy names including Felony Red and Ms. D'Meanor White.

Riverboats the Quad Cities' location on the Mississippi River has inspired many riverboat captains and writers. Enjoy this mighty river aboard a riverboat cruise or an open-air water taxi.

 River Action strives to foster the environmental, economic, and cultural vitality of the Mississippi River and its riverfront in the Quad City region and 12 communities in two states and two counties. Some of the many accomplishments have been the lighting of the Centennial Bridge, The Quad City Water Taxi, QC Riverfront Design Principles, and Waterfront Master Plan. River Way projects include development of a way finding system to guide people along riverfront trails, art projects, historic markers, riverfront parks, enhancement and restoration of wetland habitats.

The Rock Island Arsenal was established by Act of Congress in 1862 and has been an active manufacturer of military equipment and ordnance since the 1880s: leather horse equipment, meat cans and canteens, paper targets, artillery recoil mechanisms and carriages, and the Model 1903 rifle.  The Museum on the Island is the second oldest US Army Museum in the United States. 

Biking and Hiking the Quad Cities is at the crossroads of the national Mississippi River Trail and American Discovery Trails; 100 miles of beautiful trails that meander along the mighty Mississippi River, through parks, over bridges and through history-filled sections of these riverfront cities.

Historic Neighborhoods

The Broadway Historic District is a collection of historic homes in Rock Island. Founded as a neighborhood association in 1988, it gained National Register of Historic Places status in 1998.

The Village of East Davenport a historic logging and Civil War military community with unique shops, restaurants and pubs. Lindsay Park, home to the Union Army’s parade grounds during the Civil War.

The John Deere Historic Site the original Grand Detour homestead where he created his first self-scouring plow. The site also features a replica of his blacksmith shop with a working blacksmith and an exhibit from an archeological dig. Tour guides tell what life on the prairie was all about.

Connect for a Travel Experience 
in the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa

The Delaware and Hudson Canal

History a British blockade preceding the War of 1812 cut off the supply of imported bituminous coal led to the commercial development of Pennsylvania’s anthracite coal fields. But transporting the anthracite from the mines to coastal markets was a problem; a water route would be required given the weight of the coal and the poor condition of the roads.

The 108-mile 108-lock waterway operated from 1828 until 1898 transforming the economic landscape, as towns and villages sprang up along its route, and industries developed to exploit local resources such as lumber, agricultural products, and bluestone. The discovery of natural cement near High Falls in 1825 spawned the Rosendale cement industry, whose product was widely used in construction projects, including the Brooklyn Bridge and Statue of Liberty.

The Story of Mobility in America

Maritime Museums in Historic Towns

The High Falls - 16 through 20 - five locks were built in 1847, as part of a new route designed to accommodate increased traffic and larger canal boats.  This section also included a loading quay, still visible just past lock 16. The canal locks were constructed of Shawangunk conglomerate, an indigenous stone.  Each lock measured 90’ long, 15’ wide, and 15’ deep, and provided an average change in elevation of 12.6’. A leader in 19^th century technology, the D&H Canal Company is associated with such innovations as:

the D&H Gravity Railroad designed by John Jervis to transport coal over a mountainous region;

Wire suspension aqueduct by John Roebling, a technology he later used in the Brooklyn Bridge;

Anthracite Canals created a steady supply of inexpensive coal—which then fueled America’s Industrial Revolution. Steam-powered factories burned anthracite coal, and began to manufacture products such as glass, earthenware, beer and spirits, replacing the work of artisans.

The D&H Canal Historical Society maintains a Canal Museum and Five Locks Walk trail to preserve canal-era artifacts, and document the canal’s creation, operation, and importance as an engine of economic development in the region and beyond.

Connect for Travel to High Falls New York and the Delaware & Hudson Canal