... on bike

The area of Sottomarina, Chioggia and around, offers various possibilities  to enjoy excursions and trips by bike.
CHIOGGIA, PELLESTRINA, LIDO DI VENEZIA
The bike seems to be the ideal way to visit a city where extraordinary surprises are hidden in every corner. Starting with the unique urban structure, like a fishbone, which divides the area into three picturesque canals (Lombardo to the west, Vena in the centre, San Domenico to the east) in which houses and bridges are reflected, and dapple coloured boats move along. And then there is the enchantment of the tight streets, all aligned, with the crammed housing, with typical chimneys, sticking out in search of a common space. All places of work, conversation and games, masterfully retold by Goldoni in "Baruffe chiozzotte".
By and by, there is some more open space, like the fields (Campo S. Caterina), the little squares (Vigo, Granaio; Duomo; the Church courtyard etc) and the square par excellence in Chioggia, the Corso del Popolo, sovereign and resplendent, that Malaparte defined as a "great cafe", always full of people, with its splendid buildings (such as the Palazzo Comunale), the churches (S. Giacomo, for example), the monuments and the uninterrupted series of porticos. And still more buildings, churches and monuments, precious caskets of works by great artists of note, such as Carpaccio, Tintoretto, Palma, Longhena and the fruit of a mixture of epochs and different styles, such as Byzantine, Romanesque, Gothic, Neoclassical etc. To name but a few, there are the Cathedral of Longhena (1653), S. Martino in the Gothic style (1392), the house which was hosted Goldoni and Rosalba Carriera, the Palazzo Granaio in the Gothic style (1322), the Lion Column in Greek Marble (1763) and the Vigo bridge which leads to the little island of S. Domenico, holy place for fishermen of the cult of Christ of St Domenic. Lastly, it is undoubtedly worthwhile to cycle to the fish market which takes place every day, behind the Granaio square, in the "Pescaria" from 6.30am until midday, and it is the most vivid expression of Chioggia, together with the local market. One on one bank, the other on the other of the Vena Canal, they are both supplied by the boats which moor alongside them, and of which there are as many as there are stalls. By bike, from Vigo square, you get on the ferry and you reach the island of Pellestrina, famous for its embankments, ancient defences made by the Serenissima republic, and for the coloured houses of the fishermen, where in an atmosphere of great tranquillity, the most capable seamstresses who work the lace with the bobbin, continue to live undisturbed. On this island, just some 11kms wide, wonderful tracks along the banks of the lagoon are possible and through the streets, up until S. Maria del Mare. Here you put your bikes on the ferry for Malamocco, the most important of all the ports to the lagoon, once one of the most important cities of the lagoon, maritime stop for Padua. From here you reach the Lido di Venezia.
COUNTRYSIDE AND THE NORDIO FOREST From Sottomarina you continue through Lungomare Adriatico, Viale Mediterraneo and at the second intersection, take a right to get to Borgo Madonna. Here you can admire the Temple of the Madonna della Navicella. This temple has a long and interesting story that goes back to 1508, the era in which the Bishop Bernardino Veniero commissioned the building, twenty six days after the vision of Our Lady of the Little Ship. Various events accompanied the life of the building, events that culminated in its transformation into a Napoleonic fortress in 1799. Through Via P. E. Venturini you reach Brondolo, then cross the bridge on the river Brenta. Once you have crosses the bridge, turn right. You arrive in Via Canal di Valle and you follow the direction of Cavanella d’Adige to S. Anna di Chioggia. Here you will find the Church of S. Anna, built in the 1500s, now replaced by the newly inaugurated church of 1974. Through the S.S. Romea, across Via Pegorina, you reach the Bosco Nordio (Nordio Forest). This is a splendid natural reserve, comprised of Holm-oaks, laurel trees and pine trees, of noteworthy historical and scientific interest, practically intact since its formation. In the Roman era, the dunes which rose in the forest made part of the coastal belt, a continuation of what today borders on the east the Venetian lagoon which continued beyond the Adige river onto the river Po and therefore to Ravenna.
LUSENZO BANK
If you want to avoid the smog of the city, the chaos and traffic, the Lagoon of Lusenzo is right for you. The cycling path and footpath allow you to take a trip through the lagoon, starting from Sottomarina and ending in Chioggia and vice versa. The place is particularly pleasant as a result of the architecture and the cleanness; benches surrounded by the greenery where you can rest or catch a bit of sun.
	A beautiful view of the lagoon and very suggestive "painting" of the city make the walk extremely relaxing, thanks also to the calm and tranquillity of the place. It is also ideal for jogging and for those who are passionate about sailing.....that is, model boats! Walking, it is very easy to take part in some water duel a la "Luna Rossa" with boats no bigger than one metre long. It is very pleasant also by bike.... that will be because even Sottomarina can offer a place far from the smog and the chaos of the city, where access is permitted only to pedestrians and cyclists.