Great area - if I remember correctly, you can start on the flats north of Padova and then go the other way from Pordenone to more challenging terrain.

You are so close to so many of the large Italian brands as well as some bespoke framebuilders that I am guessing there will be a lot of LBS and you're bound to find a good deal on a 2017 model that they want rid of. (I think you've already found this with the Synapse). In December my friend came with me to a LBS and ended up leaving with a 2016 Specialized Roubaix bike for about 40% of its original list price and that's in Switzerland where discounts are the cultural equivalent of tinned spaghetti in Italy.

Also I read a €1700 initial price request from an Italian shop (your earlier post) to be €1400 maximum in terms of what they'll accept. Maybe they are also playing hardball on price because you're a foreigner. Do you have any local friends who could come and help you haggle? I am from the UK but of Italian parents. Every time I go on holiday to Italy with English friends, prices drop the second I start speaking Italian. Hope this helps