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Butterflies and Beauty: Why You’ll Love Santorso

A constant diet of history and museums can bore children, especially younger ones. So if you are looking to find something for the children to do in Italy, then the village of Santorso is a good idea.

Only a two-minute drive from Piovene Rocchette, the village has plenty for Mom and Dad to see and is a really great place for children.

Santorso, tucked away in the Veneto region, is one of those places that quietly steals your heart. You won’t find it in every guidebook, but once you’ve been, you’ll never forget it. At the heart of this little town is Parco Rossi — a park unlike any other I’ve come across in Italy.

The park is actually split into two parts, each with its own charm. The upper part is a peaceful oasis, perfect for unwinding and soaking up nature. Here, gentle streams gurgle their way through the greenery, little lakes reflect the sky, and trees from all over the world tower above you. There’s even a magical old aquarium — it feels like stepping into another era. Everything about this section of the park invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and just be.

Then there’s the lower part of the park, which is perfect for families and little adventurers. There’s a small train that kids absolutely love, along with animals to visit, a quirky old pirate ship to climb and explore, and barbecue facilities if you fancy a relaxed outdoor lunch. And of course, there’s the butterfly enclosure — a colorful, fluttering wonderland that never fails to delight.

It’s all set beneath the slopes that lead up towards the Dolomites, and the views alone are worth the visit. Add to that the history of the Rossi family — especially Alessandro Rossi, whose vision and energy shaped this part of Veneto. During a visit to Manchester in the early 1800s, Alessandro Rossi was inspired by the textile industry and purchased the machines to set up the same in his hometown. It grew to become the largest company in all of Italy, catalyzing remarkable transformations and prosperity for the locals. Though the textile industry's prominence has waned over time, the spirit of entrepreneurship remains strong, and prosperity continues to define this vibrant corner of the Veneto.

While exploring the area, be sure to include a visit to Schio, a nearby town renowned as the "Manchester of Italy" in bygone days. However, beyond the shared reputation for frequent rainfall, the true allure of Schio lies in its charming ambiance and stunning surroundings.

My son rates the Rossi park one of his top three things for kids to do. View his entire top three here.

Love the Butterflies

Another rather unusual claim to fame is that Santorso is home to the biggest live butterfly collection in all of Italy.

The butterflies are in a huge subtropical atrium, and wandering through the pathways, abundant with tropical vegetation, you feel like you could be in the Amazon.

The kaleidoscope of colors is incredible, and the butterflies often land on you. I couldn't believe how enormous some of them were.

Butterfly World is part of a park for children with train rides, farm animals, and play areas. It is just below the park with the aquarium, and, like Gardaland too, it gives young children the chance to be children, have fun, and burn off some energy. My son is a perfect example - he needs a break from all the adult stuff once in a while. Even if you only spend a morning here, it is a nice change.

Where to Stay

I would recommend you stay at the new, clean, and spacious Hotel Kristal in Zane. Zane is around two miles from Santorso. To explore this area properly, though, you will need a car, as public transport is not great.