For King and Country
We all know how dreadful the First World War was for all the soldiers and civilians involved. Conditions in the trenches were simply appalling, with men being forced to live next to one another, day in day out, for weeks, months, years. Food was scarce and often hardly edible. In addition, the Italian front ran almost entirely along mountain ridges and many soldiers suffered from frostbite or were literally frozen to death. And indeed, as in all battlefields, death was constantly lurking outside as well as inside the trenches in the form of bombs, bullets, gases and in every possible way men could devise to kill each other. This tour visits some of the places where the most significant battles took place on the Italian front and a very interesting museum showing daily life in the trenches and dramatic episodes occurred in the front lines. Stops are contemplated at the War Museum at Canove and at the fort where the first cannon shot was fired on the Italian front. It is important to recall that Italy's allies, Britain and the United States, sent in their troops in support of the Italian Army. The tour will therefore call also at an Italian War Memorial and at Allied War Cemeteries to pay tribute not only to the many Italian soldiers who died in defence of their country, but also to those brave foreign soldiers who gave up their lives in helping Italians in their fight. An English-speaking guide will be leading the tour and assist visitors in gaining an understanding of men and events involved in the Great War. The tour, as envisaged by us, would last four days, but its length and duration may be adjusted to suit our customers' requirements. Obviously all necessary arrangements, such as meals, accommodation, private transport, guide services and anything else customers may require will be arranged by us down to the last detail.
First day - Your first stop will be at the War Museum at Canove di Roana, on the Asiago Plateau, approximately a ninety minute drive from Venice. The Asiago Plateau was the scene of many fierce battles during the First World War. The Museum has a an excellent collection of exhibits taken from the battlefields or army archives, including many photos and maps that will help you to better understand what you are going to see during the tour.
You will then resume your tour along a panoramic road which runs through forests and green pastures. After about an hour you will arrive at a recently restored Austrian fort near Lavarone, which was built between 1910 and 1914 to dominate Val dAstico and other valleys in the area.After you have inspected the fort, your driver will be taking a road that climbs up to 1,800 m. above sea level. Then, after a walk of about an hour you will reach a small, but reasonably well preserved Austrian fort at the Spitz Verle. As you look around from there, you will be able to enjoy a breathtaking view of a vast area going all the way from Val Sugana and Mt. Pasubio to the Adamello and Ortles Glaciers. At the same time you will be looking down over some of the battlefields where the Italian and Austro-Hungarian armies had the bloodiest clashes early in the war. Long sections of the trenches are still clearly visible, while the many holes in the ground are a grim reminder of the bombings that hit the area. All around, green meadows and complete silence provide a stark contrast that makes it difficult to imagine the horrors that went on there.
Second day - The Italian fort opposing the fort of Lavarone was built between 1908 and 1912 on a rocky outcrop rising on top of Mt. Campolongo at 1,720 m. above sea level. Recently restored, this fort was armour-plated and equipped with powerful batteries supported by howitzers and nests of machineguns. Its key position and considerable firepower made it a target of continued attacks that inflicted heavy damage to its structure. You will be driven as close as possible to the fort and will only be walking the last part of the way (altogether approximately 3 km. for the round trip).
A 40-minute drive from Asiago will take you to Mt. Zebio where Austrian trenches have been recently restored. The tour will include a visit to tunnels with machinegun posts, shelters and the remains of a second-line structure with its operational facilities (kitchens, cableways, etc.). This is the ideal place to fully appreciate the dreadful living conditions experienced by the troops on both sides. You will also see the effects of a mine that was exploded to overcome an Austrian stronghold. Though you will no doubt be troubled by feelings of sadness and sorrow for the loss of so many human lives, hopefully the superb view of Asiago and its surroundings from the mountain will help you get over this emotionally disturbing moment. If you wish, you may also continue your walk until you reach the Austrian support facilities.
Third day - Located at a fairly short distance from Asiago, Mt. Forno certainly deserves a visit in view of the fierce fighting that took place there throughout the war. You will be driven most of the way and you will only need to take a short walk to have a clear view of the Austrian defence works and visit the corresponding Italian line. You will notice how parts of the trenches were protected with reinforced concrete structures, while heavy artillery was housed inside caves in the mountainside and tunnels were dug out to shelter the men and to store supplies and ammunition. In the vicinity, pillboxes still seem to keep key areas under their control and cemeteries that had been hastily created during hostilities have at least partially survived the ravages of time.
The War Memorial standing in the very heart of Asiago is an imposing structure built in 1936 to house the remains of men killed in action in the adjoining war zone. Overall, 54,289 men are buried there, 34,289 Italian and 20,000 Austro-Hungarian. A visit to the Memorial is a must for anyone touring the areas where the First World War was fought on the Italian front. You will therefore be given an opportunity to visit not only the crypt containing the graves, but also the museum displaying equipment, photos and other material found on the battlefield or obtained from private and public collections.
Fourth day - On 23rd May, 1915, Italy declared war on the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Where and when was the first shot fired? At 4 am on 24th May the guns of Forte Verena opened fire on the Austrian fortresses. This fort is located 30 km from Asiago, on the summit of the mountain by the same name, at 2,019 m. above sea level. Built between 1910 and 1914, it incorporated the latest features of military engineering and was equipped with powerful modern artillery which inflicted very serious damage on enemy defences. In turn it was heavily bombed and partly destroyed. Aside from its historical and military interest, this fort affords a glorious view of the nearby mountains and the valley below. We have therefore made arrangements for you to visit the fort: you will be driven to the terminal of the cableway that will take you directly there.
This tour would not be complete, we feel, if it did not include a visit to some of the war cemeteries containing the graves of Allied soldiers who lost their lives to help Italians drive back the enemy. Commonwealth forces were moved to the Italian front in November 1917 and remained there until the end of the war in November 1918. Specifically, the 7th, 23rd and 48th Divisions of the XIV Corps were active in the Asiago area and the five Commonwealth cemeteries located near Asiago bear witness to the courage and determination of their men. We are of course at your disposal to make appropriate arrangements for your visit. Please bear in mind, however, that, since this is a mountain area, weather conditions may occasionally make it impossible to reach the cemeteries, particularly in wintertime.
For your information we would add that throughout your tour you will be transferred to the various visiting areas by private transport and will always be accompanied by a qualified English-speaking guide. He will be providing comments and explanations along the way and answer any questions you may wish to ask. Appropriate arrangements will be made for your hotel accommodation in Asiago, where you will be returning every day at the end of the days excursion. Proper arrangements will also be made for your meals, including lunches during the excursions.
Reservations
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Payments
Full payment for the services contracted is due 45 days prior to commencement of the tour. Reservations made less than 45 days from the commencement of the tour are subject to an additional fee of Euro 30,00 per person, unless specific arrangements are made with our Company's management and confirmed by an e-mail.
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