Exploring at Orthal

WHERE NATURE IS KING

The lives of everyone here depend on the natural habitat, whether catering for snow sports enthusiasts in winter, or walkers and mountain bikers in the summer, making cheeses from the rich alpine milk, or honey from the millions of bees that collect pollen from the colourful flowers. It’s a land where forests of fir and larch blend softly with endless lush green alpine pastures, punctuated by outcrops of pink Asiago marble.

It’s an area of great history too. The seven communities had one of the world’s first democratic governments when they were formed in 1310 and in recently discovered caves it’s still possible to see the drawings of ancestors that lived here many thousands of years before.

HOME OF THE ASIAGO CHEESE!

The hotel and riding centre is surrounded by several dairies making the famous Asiago cheese, many of which can be visited to see the process in action. Asiago is a nutty flavoured cheese named after the region. As far back as the year 1000 AD, Asiago cheese was produced by farmers in this region for local use. The cheese is produced in two forms: fresh Asiago, also known as Pressato, and mature Asiago, which is called Asiago d'Allevo.

Both types of Asiago cheese are known as 'mountain cheeses' because of their similarity to the Swiss Emmental and the French Comte cheeses, produced from cows that graze on lush, mountain pastures. As a result, the cows produce thick, rich milk that creates the character of these full-flavoured cheeses..

ECHOES OF WAR

The hills to the north of the Asiago plateau still echo with the battles of the First World War. This was the front line between the invading Austrian army and the Italians, supported by young British soldiers far from home. Unknown to most British people here was one of the decisive battles of the First World War. If the British and Italian troops had not held firm here the Austrians would have swept down onto the Italian plains and siezed Venice and Verona.

While nature has done its best to obscure the scars, trenches, gun emplacements and tracks to the front line through the forest are still in evidence. It's a touching and often emotional surprise particularly for British riders to come upon the many small but well kept cemeteries hidden in the pine forest with headstones bearing the names of 18 and 19 year old lads from Northumberland, Staffordshire and other English counties.

There is much for riders and non-riders to explore. Fausto a local historian is often happy to come in with his books and maps to talk about the area.

LOCAL WINE MAKING

Of the many local alcoholic drinks made in the region Grappa is probably the best known. A fragrant grape-based brandy it can be up to 160 proof! And where better to taste it than in nearby Bassano del Grappa, the beautiful town from which it originates. But get in all your sightseeing before the trip to the distillery.

There are some great local wines, the best known of which is Prosecco a sparkling wine made from a variety of white local grape. The grape is known for its late ripening which has led to its use in dry sparkling (spumante) and semi-sparkling (frizzante) wines. Like other sparkling wines, Prosecco is served chilled. Most commonly it is served unmixed, but it also appears in several mixed drinks. It was the original main ingredient in the Bellini cocktail but we like it as a Rossini, the local way with crushed strawberries!

PALLADIAN VILLAS

At the foot of the plateau are several fine paladian villas, a must for any architectural addict. Italian renaissance architect Andrea Palladio created a style of architecture that lasted from the 17th century until the end of the 18th century.

Palladianism was popular not only in Britain during the mid-17th and 18th century but also in many northern European countries. It also had a surge in popularity in North America, most notably in the buildings designed by Thomas Jefferson. Even the White House was influenced by Palladio's work.