Damarco is a unique meeting place in the Italian Pre-Alps near Venice. We offer lodge, bistro-restaurant, spaces and courses in breathtaking nature – all in conjunction with a rich cultural offer.
Come and see us!
Values and vision of Damarco
To convert this special place into an environmental friendly lodge for locals as much as for international guests
To promote healthy food & drinks with locally grown and produced ingredients
To encourage activities in a pristine environment such as hiking and cycling
To build a centre for arts, music, retreats, workshops, languages, etc.
People behind Damarco
Alessia & Christof share a passion for traveling, foreign languages, renewable energies, natural and healthy cuisine, sport and the Pre-alps.
After having lived in the British countryside for three years they decided to return to Italy in order to start a life and work project in Cerbaro. Remembering what their granny Bruna used to say – “stones that roll don’t put roots down” – they wish to put roots down right here in the Altopiano of Tretto.
History of Damarco
In the 70s Bruna and Marco Santacatterina began the construction of the “Restaurant and Hotel Da Marco”, a unique meeting place in the Italian Pre-Alps, approximately 100kms from Venice.
The story of Damarco is that of an entire family revolving around the spacious building with three characteristic wide arches: Bruna and Marco’s son, Guido, supported by siblings Loretta and Gastone, took over the business in the 1980s and made Damarco the preferred place for gourmets that enjoy the food as much as the warm and relaxed atmosphere.
After the passing of the beloved Bruna and Marco, 2017 became the time for returning to and rebuilding Damarco. The granddaughter Alessia and her husband Christof choose to live at Cerbaro and continue the family tradition incorporating their very own vision and abilities.
Lodge
There are four rooms with ensuite bathrooms available for guests. A spacious south facing deck invites sun lovers to relax and enjoy the clean and cool air. As the lodge is located in 915masl the temperature rarely exceeds 30°C, even when it gets hot in the lowlands. A large, quiet room is available for courses, retreats or seminars.
There is plenty of nature in the fields and forests around Damarco, a paradise for challenging hikes and bike rides. Mountain bikes can be rented at Damarco. We also cooperate with a local shop that rents ebikes or road bikes.
Rate for single room occupancy: EUR 45.00 per night
Rate for double occupancy: EUR 65.00 per night
Breakfast is includedand comprises tea or coffee, juice, bread, jam, honey, butter, cheese, fruits, muesli and yoghurt. Lunch and dinner can be prepared on request – or enjoyed a la carte when the restaurant is open.
Check-in time: after 1pm
Check-out time: until 10am
Pick-up and Drop-off service from the nearby train station of Schio can be arranged. The airports of Venice, Treviso and Verona are located in approximately 1.5 hours by car.
A cosy bar-bistro area with fireplace. A pleasant porch outside;
A large dining roomto accommodate up to 100 people – ideal for family celebrations such as weddings, christenings or group meetings – upon reservation;
Damarco supports the use of local produce to minimize the carbon footprint. We specialize in whole food for a maximum of nutrients and utilization of healthy ingredients. We also cater for vegetarians;
Families with children are welcome. There is plenty of space in front of the restaurant for children to have fun. The playareawill gradually be upgraded and equipped;
A toilet is equipped with baby changing table;
Damarco restaurant area and toilets are accessible to people with disabilities.
Activities
The area offers a wide range of day-trips and activities:
Cultural/Cities
Thiene Palazzo Colleoni
Venezia Piazza San Marco
Verona Piazza delle Erbe
From Damarco it’s a 25-min drive down to the highway slip-road in Schio and Thiene, small and charming towns well worth a visit. From there the regional capital of Vicenza is just 30km away. Sixty kilometres further on you can see the beautiful cities or Verona and legendary Venice. There are hourly trains from Vicenza to the busy heart of the lagoon city.
If you prefer a bit less touristic places, there are plenty of hidden treasures to discover such as Bassano del Grappa, Marostica, Castelfranco or the picturesque village of Asolo. These places are all towards the famous prosecco area Valdobbiadene near Treviso where you can try the best sparkling wines of Italy.
Mountain lovers
View from Mount Novegno
Mount Pasubio
52 Pasubio Galleries
With the impressive mountain “Novegno”, on which Damarco is located, there is a big attraction right at hand. Two winding tarmac roads lead you up to Carbaro, the hamlet of Damarco. While Schio is located in 350masl, Cerbaro’s altitude is 915masl and thus about half way up to Novegno mountain plateau (1550masl). In the summer season when the cows graze the wild herb meadows, a small dairy produces organic cheese. The attached tavern offers local traditional dishes. The peak is accessible by car via a gravel road or over several treks by foot or mountain bike. Due to its strategic position at the highest point of the easily accessible roads, Cerbaro attracts many road bikers and ebikers.
Other very nice destinations for day trips are the near mountains Priafora and Summano.
The neighbouring plateau of Asiago is a top destination for cross-country skiing, but also for summer hikes and mountain bike excursions.
Historical sites
Monte Rivon Novegno
52 Pasubio Galleries
Forte Enna
During World War I (1914-1918) the highlands of Novegno and Asiago were front line between the Austro-Hungarian invaders and Italy. The Italian army tried to form a chain of forts and cannonry structures with protected supplies for their brave soldiers defending their home country. Many of the sites are still visible and can be visited such as the huge abandoned hilltop Fort Enna in just 8km distance from Damarco, the trenches and cave systems at Priafora or Fort Rivon on top of the highest peak of the Novegno pleateau in over 1600masl.
However, the most scenic and recommendable hike is the “strada delle 52 gallerie”, a road on the protected south-western ridge of Mount Pasubio. Soldiers forced 52 tunnels into hard rock to supply ammunition and provisions to the fort on top of the strategic peak. These days the trek can be hiked up or down. It offers amazing views into the valley. A restaurant with lookout platform is located on top of the mountain. The starting point of the “strada” is just 14km away from Damarco.
Sea, lakes and rivers
Contrà Pria Arsiero
Garda Lake
Brenta River in Bassano
The Adriatic beach of Jesolo is just 1.5 hours away from Damarco. It takes about the same time to drive to Garda lake or to the smaller, charming lakes of Levico Terme.
For a jump into refreshing waters we can also recommend the river bassins of Contrà Pria, in just 40 min driving distance from Damarco.
Thermal springs
If you fancy a relaxing day in hot pools the famous thermal springs of Abano Terme near Padova are just an hour drive from Damarco. Several luxurious hotels and baths offer wellness treatments, sauna, massages and medical cures.
From Damarco you can also cross the adjacent valley of Pasubio to visit the historic SPA centre Recoaro Terme, located in a breath-taking mountain area. Several springs supply the healthy mineral fountains. At present the SPA is focussed on health care and operates only seasonally.
Just ask us for recommendations: there are lots of places to enjoy and many experiences not to miss!
Eventi
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